Stand questions?

[Simona586]

So since i looked into building a new tank and its deff outta my price range i want to build a stand for my tank that is a little bit higher. The reason is because i bought from my lfs a sea life systems berlin 300 sumb and it was my first time ever buying a sump and i didnt know what a refugium was. and now i would want one in my system because from what i read its good for the tank. anyways my stand is too low to put a big enough tank tank to make a diy refugium and sump. so my questions are... do i need to get like a foam piece to put between my tank and the stand? (120gal) and i have a 55 gallon tank thats been in my garage would that be fine to put some slots of glass in and make a refugium? is there anything i need to know when im making the stand or the sump/ refugium?

[vittleking]

These may help:

http://www.groovylime.com/TankStand_ss.jpg

I would add a center brace on this basic design for a 6 foot tank if thats how long your is
http://freshwatercichlids.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/diy-aquarium-stand-300x252.jpg

http://www.reeftime.com/images/plywood.jpg

[Simona586]

yea that helps alot!! now do i need to have a foam piece between my tank and stand?

[vittleking]

you don't HAVE to have it, just make sure it's very level first, but IMO, the styrofoam helps keep the stand level and support it better.

[vittleking]

another option would be to use 2 small sumps next to each other, connect with a few U shaped PVC pipes and just remove air from each and it will add volume without having to build a stand.

[Simona586]

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/simona586/photo-4.jpg



thats what im working with it takes up the whole stand! lol i have like 6 inches of space on the one side im like confused because im new to reefing and i keep reading different things that the refugium is good and other people say that its not needed to have a good tank...so i guess idk what to do :stupidme:

[iyachtuxivm]

No you dont have to have a piece of foam in between. But it does help spread the weight out more evenly.
As for the sump look in the diy section lots of people have built them and taken time to explain their build.
In a nut shell- you will need three compartments drain/fuge/return. Put your skimmer in the drain compartment so this needs to be big enough to fit it. Next is your fuge, You will need two pieces of glass to make this one at the beginning and one at the end. The last compartment should have baffles (pieces of glass set anywhere from a 1/4" to an inch apart) before it to stop air bubbles getting to the return pump. The height of the last piece of glass that is put at the bottom of the tank is going to regulate how low your water level can be before flow stops. So at a minimum you will need 4 pieces of glass 5 would be better. If you goto reef central they have calculators to help find the heights of the glass so you have enough room for over flow when you shut your system down.
Hope this all helps and here is a pic of one I designed ( in paint lol). I didnt use it this way but I am using it now.

[iyachtuxivm]

Wow thats small hope you can see the details. Also get your glass cut about 1/8 of an inch less then the width of the inside of your tank. Helps alot got that info from Mike at Reef paradise.

[Simona586]

okay cool thats alot im gonna be doing that soon so ill be posting pics as i go along!

[cg5071]

Refugiums are a good thing but you dont "need" one. It will increase food production "pods and algae" for some maybe more delicate fish down the road. feed your tangs manarin ect. without having to buy and directly add it to your tank. It also increases water volume which is good to dilute any fish waste and make a more temperature and salinity stable system. Plus it is FUN!! lol you can try different types of algae and even scape your fuge if you want too.

Oh yeah, it helps remove nutrients from your tank either by harvesting algae or the extra bacteria and critters that are in your rock and sand.

[Simona586]

okay yea i want to do it im just think is it gonna be alot extra work....

[Simona586]

i was just at petco and they are having a one dollar per gallon sale with there tanks i think only up to 55 gallon but i was just wondering would a 36 18 16 (l w h) be a good size to make a sump/ refugium? how much water do i need to have like how high does the water level have to be?

[iyachtuxivm]

you can have it as high or as low as you want. If the baffles are set too high you will get an over flow. Thats why in my drawing my baffles dont go to the top. You need to figure out how much water will drain out of your tank when the return pump is off that will tell you how high the baffles can be. That size tank sounds like a 40 breeder that would be fine a 50b would be better 36x18x18.

[MyNemesis]

I have a 50 gallon breeder tank as my sump/refugium and it fits nicely in the stand I built for my 120 gallon tank (4X2X2). It leaves a little room leftover for the light, fan, height of the skimmer, etc. What are the dimensions of the 55 gallon tank in your garage? That would probably work for you instead of having to buy a used 50 gallon tank.

[Simona586]

the one in my garage is 48 x 12 x 21 (lxwxh) i think that would be better because its longer and higher

[iyachtuxivm]

the one in my garage is 48 x 12 x 21 (lxwxh) i think that would be better because its longer and higher

Yes if it will fit. Oh wait you are making a new stand right? Whats the foot print of your skimmer? Will it fit in 12"?

[AZDesertRat]

Here are a few pics of mine. The tank is a 60" 100 gallon and the sump is a 30 gallon long. All joints are glued with exterior glue and screwed with drilled and countersunk galvanized deck screws. The stand is primed with Kilz then painted with white enamel and is waterproof. The exterior is 1/4" oak plywood with solid oak trim and unfinished doors ordered from Home Depot to match the rest of my house. Finish is Minwax Golden Oak with 5 coats of low gloss spar varnish urethane over it.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/IMAG0008.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/IMAG0010.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/frame4.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/painted5.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/stained5.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/6-1023-1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/AJOIII/1-24-07004.jpg

[Simona586]

wow thats really nice!!! that helps alot how tall is your tank?

[Simona586]

Yes if it will fit. Oh wait you are making a new stand right? Whats the foot print of your skimmer? Will it fit in 12"?

yeaa it will fit its in a 12 in now its a impact 200 skimmer by sea life systems

[AZDesertRat]

The stand is 36" tall, the tank 23" tall and the canopy 16" tall.

[Simona586]

thank ya soo much!!