Plastic tote for a sump or no?

[RemainVayne]

Yes Is 12 1/2 inches high tall enough?

Not sure, but I'm still in the planning stages. I've read some people on the saltwater forums say their roughneck totes would eventually bow and crack.

You experience that? Or have you braced yours with 2x4s or straps?

 

[tlindsey]

Not sure, but I'm still in the planning stages. I've read some people on the saltwater forums say their roughneck totes would eventually bow and crack.

You experience that? Or have you braced yours with 2x4s or straps?

I have only used the one that is currently on the back of my 180 gallon on the floor.

 

[J. H.]

If you screw at 2x4 in the middle as a brace, you can drastically strengthen it and keep it from bowing and falling apart.

"

I found what the numbers mean & it looks like at least "5" is safe.

No. 1http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534242
Polyethylene terephthalate: used to make items including plastic bottles for soft drinks, water, juice, beer, mouthwash, salad dressing and catsup, jars for peanut butter, jelly and jam, microwavable food trays, and trays that can be stuck into the oven.

No. 2
High-density polyethylene: used to make bottles for milk, water, juice, cosmetics, shampoo, detergent and cleaners, bags for groceries, liners in cereal boxes, and reusable shipping containers.

No. 3
Polyvinyl chloride: used in shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, food service items, clamshell containers, bags for bedding, shrink wrap and similar items.
No. 4
Low density polyethylene: used in grocery bags, bread bags, some produce bags, shrink wrap, margarine tubs, squeezable bottles.

No. 5
Polypropylene: used to make straws, syrup bottles, bottle caps, many yogurt containers, margarine and sour cream containers, and medicine bottles

No. 6
Polystyrene: egg cartons, hot beverage cups, food service items, including cups, plates, bowls, and takeout clamshell containers, protective foam placed over furniture, packing peanuts, and compact disc covers.

No. 7
Other or a mixture: larger reusable water bottles, some ketchup bottles, and microwavable dishes.

Plastics with the Nos. 1 and 2 are often accepted and easily recycled. No. 1 plastics often get a new life in products including the fill in carpet fibers and sleeping bags, and in food containers. Plastics identified with a No. 2 often end up in items such as plastic lumber, pipe, flower pots, recycling bins, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles and motor oil bottles.

(from this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534242 )

These threads have pics:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1602424
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/can-we-use-plastic-tubs-for-sump-refug.249879/

 

[twentyleagues]

I used the hdx on my current tank. It does bow when more then 1/2 full. It works pretty good actually

 

[narayanang76]

Also, anyone plumb 2 totes together to increase overall sump size? I've been looking around and don't see many large totes, but two 40g totes plumbed together would work quite well for me...

I have plumbed 2 glass tanks together to use them as a larger, joint sump, for my 220G tank.

The issue I faced was to ensure there are no leaks at the joint where it's joining two glass tanks. I did this plumbing myself DIY, and the joint area was the place I had to spend much effort, and number of redoings. With plastic, I feel the chance of leaks may be more, but it's only my assumption.

I also feel, you can have mechanical filtration with only having filter socks, and have only one tote for bio filtration, this way reducing any possible issues.

My sump photo attached

 

[RemainVayne]

I have plumbed 2 glass tanks together to use them as a larger, joint sump, for my 220G tank.

The issue I faced was to ensure there are no leaks at the joint where it's joining two glass tanks. I did this plumbing myself DIY, and the joint area was the place I had to spend much effort, and number of redoings. With plastic, I feel the chance of leaks may be more, but it's only my assumption.

I also feel, you can have mechanical filtration with only having filter socks, and have only one tote for bio filtration, this way reducing any possible issues.

My sump photo attached
View attachment 1334415

Did you use bulkheads for the plumbing? I was looking at just using uniseals to join the totes together to keep it as simple as possible.

Also, one of my main reasons for using two totes is to get enough water volume as it's hard to find a giant tote that isn't the circular Rubbermaid stock tank. This will be filtering my 360g tank.

 

[narayanang76]

Did you use bulkheads for the plumbing? I was looking at just using uniseals to join the totes together to keep it as simple as possible.

Also, one of my main reasons for using two totes is to get enough water volume as it's hard to find a giant tote that isn't the circular Rubbermaid stock tank. This will be filtering my 360g tank.

Yes plumbing done with Bulkhead and union. in case of a slight movement/misalignment /shaking of the tank, the slight leaking would start near the bulkheads, that was the issue I faced. Finally I used extra large custom gaskets for the bulkhead to avoid any future issues. Now it seems stable.