Acrylic Sump- AQUARIUM MODIFICATION Questions

[Damascus]

Whats up MFKers

I am in need of a new sump for my freshwater stingrays. My current stand has limited me on sump size to 17" wide, 21" tall and a max of 8' in length due to the 4x4 supports holding the tank and the overall length of the tank.

I found a local acrylic tank that is 16 by 16 and 8' long. My question is I would really need to chop this tank length wise 8 inches or so to accommodate the plumbing returns to go back up through the bottom of the tank.

The tank is priced extremely well but has dividers every foot or so welded into place. I may have to modify some of these for baffles.

Is it worth having something custom built and have a few more gallons or trying to DIY this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Backfromthedead]

Hmmm can we see some pictures of your DTs overflow setup? I think you could find a way to accommodate everything with that sump depending on where your drains and returns are.

I'm assuming your return pump is/are on the ends or one end of the system. Are you saying you want to mount the pumps externally and that's why you need to cut it? Or are there already holes drilled in the sump tank?

-If the former, I would just drill some holes in the top frame of the sump and mount the pumps inside the sump, effectually "hanging" them from the top at whatever height you wish.

-if the latter, I would just plug the holes and do the same thing I just mentioned lol. You can use the holes for maintenance drains.

In whatever case, I would make sure to explore all options, reeeeaaally mull it over before you decide to chop up the tank. There's probably a more efficient solution.

 

[wednesday13]

Def. Need pics… not understanding y ud need to cut 8” off it. Acrylic is pretty easy to work with tho IMO… drills and cuts just like wood. Making a tank shorter width wise with no previous knowledge is a tall task and not really worth it. Gotta b a way around that plumbing wise. New acrylic will never be cheaper than a good used tank/deal either. A dremel with rotozip bit will make quick work of any “baffle” mods. No biggie there. Can drill out larger holes in the dividers to change water levels if needed also. Patching existing holes is easy as well. Im a seasoned acrylic bum… id build from scratch before i took the time and patience to cut a side off a tank to make it shorter.

 

[Damascus]

Def. Need pics… not understanding y ud need to cut 8” off it. Acrylic is pretty easy to work with tho IMO… drills and cuts just like wood. Making a tank shorter width wise with no previous knowledge is a tall task and not really worth it. Gotta b a way around that plumbing wise. New acrylic will never be cheaper than a good used tank/deal either. A dremel with rotozip bit will make quick work of any “baffle” mods. No biggie there. Can drill out larger holes in the dividers to change water levels if needed also. Patching existing holes is easy as well. Im a seasoned acrylic bum… id build from scratch before i took the time and patience to cut a side off a tank to make it shorter.

The display tank has 2 overflows on either end of the tank, and behind the weir, are also the 2 returns per side. I'd need to chop the tank to have room for my pipes to sit to feed these returns I believe.

I have never built an acrylic tank before or worked with acrylic

 

[Damascus]

Will post pictures as soon as I am home

 

[Backfromthedead]

So it's bottom drilled with overflow boxes in the center of both ends of the tank? If anything it's much more advantageous to leave the sump 8' since if any of the bulkheads happen to spring a leak it will drip right into the sump instead of out of the tank.

I'm still not getting why you need it shorter. Perhaps the pics will clear things up.