Good sized sump/refugium

[Pszemol]

Hey, I have a 3' tank running, and I would like to
get a nice sized sump/refugium for it - possible
without dismantling it, of course :-)

The cabinet opening is 24" long and 17" high...
Of course I could slide there a tank 24" long, but
maybe a longer one will get there angled in somehow ?

Anybody knows a place to get 24" long sump, or couple
of inches longer, with a compartment for refugium ?
Is this even possible or I should build a custom one ?

[[email protected]]

Pszemol > wrote:
> Hey, I have a 3' tank running, and I would like to
> get a nice sized sump/refugium for it - possible
> without dismantling it, of course :-)

> The cabinet opening is 24" long and 17" high...
> Of course I could slide there a tank 24" long, but
> maybe a longer one will get there angled in somehow ?

> Anybody knows a place to get 24" long sump, or couple
> of inches longer, with a compartment for refugium ?
> Is this even possible or I should build a custom one ?

I've seen a couple requests for refugium info here lately: I'd recommend
getting the Delbeek & Sprung _Reef Aquarium_, vol 3. Lottsa technical
info on lottsa things, including refugiums. Oh, and an excellent excuse
to purchase vodka for your corals.

Answer to your question; your refugium can be almost anything you want,
including being a completely seperate display aquarium off to the side.
Or you could get a "hang on the back" refugium which should fit.

Mike

[KurtG]

wrote:
> I've seen a couple requests for refugium info here lately: I'd recommend
> getting the Delbeek & Sprung _Reef Aquarium_, vol 3. Lottsa technical
> info on lottsa things, including refugiums. Oh, and an excellent excuse
> to purchase vodka for your corals.

Doh! $73 on amazon. :-)

Thanks for the suggestion.

--Kurt

[[email protected]]

KurtG > wrote:
> wrote:
> > I've seen a couple requests for refugium info here lately: I'd recommend
> > getting the Delbeek & Sprung _Reef Aquarium_, vol 3. Lottsa technical
> > info on lottsa things, including refugiums. Oh, and an excellent excuse
> > to purchase vodka for your corals.

> Doh! $73 on amazon. :-)

Yeah; I got my copy with a gift certificate.

Still, if you can drop money into a reef tank, that $75 is less than
you'll waste on fish that die too soon, corals that wither away, etc.

Mike

[KurtG]

wrote:
> Still, if you can drop money into a reef tank, that $75 is less than
> you'll waste on fish that die too soon, corals that wither away, etc.

True.

[Pszemol]

> wrote in message ...
>> Anybody knows a place to get 24" long sump, or couple
>> of inches longer, with a compartment for refugium ?
>> Is this even possible or I should build a custom one ?
>
[...]
> Answer to your question; your refugium can be almost anything you want,
> including being a completely seperate display aquarium off to the side.
> Or you could get a "hang on the back" refugium which should fit.

This is not the answer to my question, Mike...
Please, read the question again :-)
I was asking for a place where I can BUY a refugium/sump.

[Mark Cooper]

"Pszemol" > wrote in
:

> > wrote in message
> ...
>>> Anybody knows a place to get 24" long sump, or couple
>>> of inches longer, with a compartment for refugium ?
>>> Is this even possible or I should build a custom one ?
>>
> [...]
>> Answer to your question; your refugium can be almost anything you
>> want, including being a completely seperate display aquarium off to
>> the side. Or you could get a "hang on the back" refugium which should
>> fit.
>
> This is not the answer to my question, Mike...
> Please, read the question again :-)
> I was asking for a place where I can BUY a refugium/sump.
>

I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive. I made one from a 20
gallon long. Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed
them in. You can make any arrangement you like, and if you get hold of a
used tank, or if you have an extra one, it will save you a bundle
compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.


Mark

[Pszemol]

"Mark Cooper" > wrote in message .. .
> I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive.
> I made one from a 20 gallon long.

I checked the http://www.all-glass.com website, and
they have something they call "20 High" which is
24"x12"x16" - that would almost fit my opening, except
I am exactl 24" wide and the tank might have a frame
little bit wider or be not exactly 24" but 24"+1/8
and I am screwed :-)

But with that height there is some room to play with :-)

> Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed
> them in. You can make any arrangement you like, and if you
> get hold of a used tank, or if you have an extra one,
> it will save you a bundle compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.

Right now the money is not as important as not to have
the tank teared apart just to fit a bigger sump in the
cabinet... So I need to either - make one from scratch
or find some 24" long which would fit giving me more room
than my regular 10 gallons tank I currently use: 20"x10"x12"

[StringerBell]

I`m in the same boat as you. I have a 36" 65 gallon and want to put a
refugium underneath. The 20 gal. dont quite fit under---I tried already with
empties at LFS. I think there is such thing as 15 gallon and they can just
about fit---you might have to take the doors off the cabinet, but they are
an odd-size that is harder to find. The only sure bet is a 10 gallon, which
I know is probably smaller than you want and is not that exciting.
The hang -on Aqua-fuges are very cool but they are even smaller volume:
about 2 to 4.5 gallons depending on size.
I am considering using a 10 gallon underneath AND one of those hang-on jobs.
That would still only give about an extra 12 gallons or so (allowing for
overflow). that might work for me .I want over 10 gallons per fish (keeping
only small fish) and that might allow me to keep 6-8 little guys.
I have read on the internet that a lot of people just buy big tubs, like
plastic garbage cans (food service safe of course) and use these inexpensive
containers as stand-alone refugiums. I guess theres some way you can conceal
them.
Lastly---on eBay there is a merchant who sells refugiums of many sizes and
shapes. Tank converting kits too. They are very inexpensive ---the catch is
that you have to make full assembly of everything. I dont quite trust myself
to make a water-tight seal for all eternity. But there are plenty of people
who do-it-their-self.
Check them out: USA Refugium. http://stores.ebay.com/usa-refugium
good luck



"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> "Mark Cooper" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive.
>> I made one from a 20 gallon long.
>
> I checked the http://www.all-glass.com website, and
> they have something they call "20 High" which is
> 24"x12"x16" - that would almost fit my opening, except
> I am exactl 24" wide and the tank might have a frame
> little bit wider or be not exactly 24" but 24"+1/8
> and I am screwed :-)
>
> But with that height there is some room to play with :-)
>
>> Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed them in. You
>> can make any arrangement you like, and if you
>> get hold of a used tank, or if you have an extra one,
>> it will save you a bundle compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.
>
> Right now the money is not as important as not to have
> the tank teared apart just to fit a bigger sump in the
> cabinet... So I need to either - make one from scratch
> or find some 24" long which would fit giving me more room
> than my regular 10 gallons tank I currently use: 20"x10"x12"

[George Patterson]

StringerBell wrote:

> I think there is such thing as 15 gallon and they can just
> about fit---you might have to take the doors off the cabinet, but they are
> an odd-size that is harder to find.

I have a 15 gallon tank. It's the same length and width as a 10 gallon tank, but
it's 50% higher.

George Patterson
Forgive your enemies. But always remember who they are.

[Mark Cooper]

"Pszemol" > wrote in
:

> "Mark Cooper" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive.
>> I made one from a 20 gallon long.
>
> I checked the http://www.all-glass.com website, and
> they have something they call "20 High" which is
> 24"x12"x16" - that would almost fit my opening, except
> I am exactl 24" wide and the tank might have a frame
> little bit wider or be not exactly 24" but 24"+1/8
> and I am screwed :-)
>
> But with that height there is some room to play with :-)
>
>> Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed
>> them in. You can make any arrangement you like, and if you
>> get hold of a used tank, or if you have an extra one,
>> it will save you a bundle compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.
>
> Right now the money is not as important as not to have
> the tank teared apart just to fit a bigger sump in the
> cabinet... So I need to either - make one from scratch
> or find some 24" long which would fit giving me more room
> than my regular 10 gallons tank I currently use: 20"x10"x12"

Have you looked into the Rubbermaid/Sterilite type storage tubs? They
come in a wide assortment of sizes and shapes, and there are lots of
folks who use them successfully for sumps/fuges. You can use smaller
containers set inside the main container to create compartments.

I've seen pics of reefcentral of some pretty neat sumps made this way.



Mark

[Tristan]

I do not personally view the Sterilite as a suitable long term or
permanent item for a fuge. Fine for use for a quick and dirty QT tank
etc but thats about it. A fuge is considered long term......Sterilite
or rubber maid gets crazed and cracked over time and its a real pain
in the backside to attach any items to it with adhesives etc. For what
an 8 gal container cost made by Sterilite ($8.99) , I can buy a 10 gal
AGA tank ($9.95) for about a buck more....and have sopmethng that
wold last and be much easier to work with.

On 20 Dec 2006 02:51:04 GMT, Mark Cooper > wrote:

<<>>"Pszemol" > wrote in
:
<<>>
<<>>> "Mark Cooper" > wrote in message
<<>>> .. .
<<>>>> I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive.
<<>>>> I made one from a 20 gallon long.
<<>>>
<<>>> I checked the http://www.all-glass.com website, and
<<>>> they have something they call "20 High" which is
<<>>> 24"x12"x16" - that would almost fit my opening, except
<<>>> I am exactl 24" wide and the tank might have a frame
<<>>> little bit wider or be not exactly 24" but 24"+1/8
<<>>> and I am screwed :-)
<<>>>
<<>>> But with that height there is some room to play with :-)
<<>>>
<<>>>> Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed
<<>>>> them in. You can make any arrangement you like, and if you
<<>>>> get hold of a used tank, or if you have an extra one,
<<>>>> it will save you a bundle compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.
<<>>>
<<>>> Right now the money is not as important as not to have
<<>>> the tank teared apart just to fit a bigger sump in the
<<>>> cabinet... So I need to either - make one from scratch
<<>>> or find some 24" long which would fit giving me more room
<<>>> than my regular 10 gallons tank I currently use: 20"x10"x12"
<<>>
<<>>Have you looked into the Rubbermaid/Sterilite type storage tubs? They
<<>>come in a wide assortment of sizes and shapes, and there are lots of
<<>>folks who use them successfully for sumps/fuges. You can use smaller
<<>>containers set inside the main container to create compartments.
<<>>
<<>>I've seen pics of reefcentral of some pretty neat sumps made this way.
<<>>
<<>>
<<>>
<<>>Mark



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

[Wayne Sallee]

"I am exactl 24" wide"
Oh don't worry, you don't have to get in to the stand
yourself, just the tank. I could not resist :-)

The all glass tanks are 24 1/4 x 12 1/2.

You could probably get it in by putting it in at an angle.
Tell your LFS about your situation, and ask them if you
can take it back if it does not fit. One other method
would be to drain your tank down with just a little water
in it, and move it to a table, and then put the 20 gallon
tank in from the top, and then put the 30 gallon back on
top of the stand, but if the sump ever needs replacing you
would have to go through that again. Check with your lfs
an see if you can borrow one to see if you can get it in
by putting it in at anagle.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Pszemol wrote on 12/18/2006 10:52 PM:
> "Mark Cooper" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> I recommend building one. It's easy and inexpensive.
>> I made one from a 20 gallon long.
>
> I checked the http://www.all-glass.com website, and
> they have something they call "20 High" which is
> 24"x12"x16" - that would almost fit my opening, except
> I am exactl 24" wide and the tank might have a frame
> little bit wider or be not exactly 24" but 24"+1/8
> and I am screwed :-)
>
> But with that height there is some room to play with :-)
>
>> Had some pieces of window glass cut to size and siliconed them in. You
>> can make any arrangement you like, and if you
>> get hold of a used tank, or if you have an extra one,
>> it will save you a bundle compared to even a small hang on 'fuge.
>
> Right now the money is not as important as not to have
> the tank teared apart just to fit a bigger sump in the
> cabinet... So I need to either - make one from scratch
> or find some 24" long which would fit giving me more room
> than my regular 10 gallons tank I currently use: 20"x10"x12"

[Pszemol]

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message nk.net...
> You could probably get it in by putting it in at an angle.
> Tell your LFS about your situation, and ask them if you
> can take it back if it does not fit.

Sure...
Or I could nip 1/8" of the cabinet opening on each side :-)
Is it 24" when you measure glass ? and 24" + 1/4" frame ?

> One other method
> would be to drain your tank down with just a little water
> in it, and move it to a table, and then put the 20 gallon
> tank in from the top, and then put the 30 gallon back on
> top of the stand, but if the sump ever needs replacing you
> would have to go through that again. Check with your lfs
> an see if you can borrow one to see if you can get it in
> by putting it in at anagle.

We are talking about 58 gallons reef-ready Oceanic tank.
I had troubles moving it when empty - it is out of the
question now, with several 50# bags of sand (DSB) and water :-)

[Wayne Sallee]

Glass is a hair under 24".

What type of stand is it? You should have more than 24"
for that size tank. Does it have 2 doors with a suport in
between the two doors. Often the support can be taken out,
and put back in with screws. That's what I did with my 120
gallon tank stand. I have a 30 gallon sump in it.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Pszemol wrote on 12/21/2006 2:37 PM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> nk.net...
>> You could probably get it in by putting it in at an angle. Tell your
>> LFS about your situation, and ask them if you can take it back if it
>> does not fit.
>
> Sure...
> Or I could nip 1/8" of the cabinet opening on each side :-)
> Is it 24" when you measure glass ? and 24" + 1/4" frame ?
>
>> One other method would be to drain your tank down with just a little
>> water in it, and move it to a table, and then put the 20 gallon tank
>> in from the top, and then put the 30 gallon back on top of the stand,
>> but if the sump ever needs replacing you would have to go through that
>> again. Check with your lfs an see if you can borrow one to see if you
>> can get it in by putting it in at anagle.
>
> We are talking about 58 gallons reef-ready Oceanic tank.
> I had troubles moving it when empty - it is out of the
> question now, with several 50# bags of sand (DSB) and water :-)

[Pszemol]

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message nk.net...
> Glass is a hair under 24".

Cool, so I just need to cut little of wood to let
the frame pass through the opening - not that bad.

> What type of stand is it? You should have more than 24"
> for that size tank. Does it have 2 doors with a suport in
> between the two doors. Often the support can be taken out,
> and put back in with screws. That's what I did with my 120
> gallon tank stand. I have a 30 gallon sump in it.

This tank is 3 feet long. I have modified standard
stand for the old 30 gallon. Basically only front
with the doors is left from the old one, top/bottom
and the sides are made new from a 3/4" plywood...

[StringerBell]

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Glass is a hair under 24".
>
> What type of stand is it? You should have more than 24" for that size
> tank. Does it have 2 doors with a suport in between the two doors. Often
> the support can be taken out, and put back in with screws. That's what I
> did with my 120 gallon tank stand. I have a 30 gallon sump in it.

I think Pszemol already has a running tank. Isnt it kind of risky to take
the support out if the tank is full of water, sand and rock? I`m only
butting in because I have the same situation: I have a full 65 gallon tank
and want to put in a refugium underneath. It seems the only tank I can
definitely fit under there is a 10 gallon--maybe a 15---and of course I want
to go bigger. I too have the support brackets.

[Wayne Sallee]

It depends on the stand. If it is an All-Glass brand solid
wood of the current solid pine design, you can. I talked
to All-Glass at a trade show about the problem, and they
said that they recommended just knocking it out (use a
rubber mallet), and then putting it back in with screws.
They did mention that it can be difficult getting the
support back in when you do it with a tank on top of the
stand full of water. I did it with a 120 gallon display
tank full of water here in the store, and also did it in a
customers house full of water 75 gallon tank. In order to
be able to get the support back, in with all the weight on
top, I took a small hammer, and taped the support piece to
slightly taper it, and put dow corning non curing silicone
on it to help it slide back in. Worst case senerio, you
could use a car jack to relive pressure to get the support
back in. But it really is not too complicated.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



StringerBell wrote on 12/21/2006 9:21 PM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> nk.net...
>> Glass is a hair under 24".
>>
>> What type of stand is it? You should have more than 24" for that size
>> tank. Does it have 2 doors with a suport in between the two doors. Often
>> the support can be taken out, and put back in with screws. That's what I
>> did with my 120 gallon tank stand. I have a 30 gallon sump in it.
>
> I think Pszemol already has a running tank. Isnt it kind of risky to take
> the support out if the tank is full of water, sand and rock? I`m only
> butting in because I have the same situation: I have a full 65 gallon tank
> and want to put in a refugium underneath. It seems the only tank I can
> definitely fit under there is a 10 gallon--maybe a 15---and of course I want
> to go bigger. I too have the support brackets.
>
>