Fishy!'s Long and Low 60ish Gallon

[Fishy!]

Originally Posted by Myka

36 x 22 x 16" total volume (to 15" height) is 50 gallons. Running volume at 9" depth is 30 gallons. Add 16 gallons to 30 is 46 gallons. That gives you 4 gallons of "insurance" space.

36 x 22 x 17" total volume (to 16" height) is 53 gallons. Running volume at 9" depth is 30 gallons. Add 16 gallons to 30 is 46 gallons. That gives you another 3 more gallons of space, 7 gallons total. That's probably enough for your frag tank too depending how you plumb it.

The problem I see here is that the total stand dims is going to be 22" deep. I then have to accommodate for the material to make the stands structure which is likely 4.5". That only leaves me with approx 16" of space. This is going to have to be one tall sump!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Fishy!

The problem I see here is that the total stand dims is going to be 22" deep. I then have to accommodate for the material to make the stands structure which is likely 4.5". That only leaves me with approx 16" of space. This is going to have to be one tall sump!

Design your stand so it can accommodate an 18" wide sump at the least (or you're forced into a custom sump). You should have no problem doing this.

What kind of floors do you have in near the tank? What's being risked?

[Fishy!]

Originally Posted by Myka

What kind of floors do you have in near the tank? What's being risked?

Nothing special. Laminate that should prob be replaced. It's in the basement. If it overflows every time the power goes out, that kinda a big deal tho.

[Fishy!]

Ok, after some digging this is what I have come up with.
If I were to get my hands on a 37 gallon tank: 30x12x22
If it were filled to 30x12x21 = 32.7 gallons
If I have a running height of 10" (prob high) 30x12x10=15.6 gals
Therefore 33.7-15.6=17.1gals with 1" of sump space to spare.
We (you actuall, thanks) determined my total back flow volume is 16gallons being generous.
Based off of these numbers a 37gal AGA should work? Am I missing something?
The stand will be 36-40" tall so there should be plenty of room to accommodate the height.
Thanks for tanking the time to work through this with me.

[Myka]

You will hate life if your sump is 22" deep and inside a stand. Depending which skimmer you use, that means the top of the skimmer would be almost level with the top of the sump.

I would really try to modify your stand design to accommodate a sump 18" wide. Are you using 2x4s? I can mock up a design for you, or find a pic online. The trouble with bottom drilled tanks is that there isn't room at the back of the tank to run a 2x4 because the bulkheads will be in the way. That's why I went with a steel stand for my tank. The steel is 1" rather than 1.5" with a 2x4 which is the difference between it fitting and not fitting. Do you want your stand to be flush with the tank and thus be 40 x 22" or do you want the stand to be a bit bigger than the actual tank? If the stand can be 41 x 23" then you'll have room behind the bulkheads to run a 2x4 on edge. How tall do you want your stand?

[Myka]

Many people place the sump on the floor, and the stand framing is around it, so the sump has to fit between the framing. If you put a bottom in the stand then you can put the sump on top of that and there will be more width (but less height for a skimmer).

Like this:



Instead of this:

[Fishy!]

Originally Posted by Myka

I would really try to modify your stand design to accommodate a sump 18" wide. Are you using 2x4s?

This was my intention. I am a carpenter by trade, it shouldn't be much of a challenge to build.

Originally Posted by Myka

The trouble with bottom drilled tanks is that there isn't room at the back of the tank to run a 2x4 because the bulkheads will be in the way. That's why I went with a steel stand for my tank. The steel is 1" rather than 1.5" with a 2x4 which is the difference between it fitting and not fitting.

This has been my fear all along, and I have been meaning to message Matt to get the distance from edge of bulkhead to the back of the tank. I actually had one of my welders do up a quote for a steel stand, worked out to being approx $325!!!!!! in material alone. That doesn't even account for his time and rods. The steel stand dream is quickly fading, unless i can find an alternate source for cheaper/free material.

Originally Posted by Myka

Do you want your stand to be flush with the tank and thus be 40 x 22"

This will be ideal.

Originally Posted by Myka

...or do you want the stand to be a bit bigger than the actual tank?
If the stand can be 41 x 23" then you'll have room behind the bulkheads to run a 2x4 on edge.

This is a worst scenario as the area the tank will be going is going to be tight as it is with a 22" depth. I would almost rather have a back bracket made from steel in lou of the back 2x4 on edge.

Originally Posted by Myka

How tall do you want your stand?

Somewhere between 32-40" I am flexible on this. I think i will likely settle on 36" height.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Fishy!

This was my intention. I am a carpenter by trade, it shouldn't be much of a challenge to build.

If you have the tools build it out of 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood laminated together then. You can do cut outs in the back to make room for the bulkheads. See attached image - can't remember where I found it. It's a DIY ADA stand (I don't think the 2x2s are necessary. I wish I saw that before I built my stand.

Originally Posted by Fishy!

This has been my fear all along, and I have been meaning to message Matt to get the distance from edge of bulkhead to the back of the tank. I actually had one of my welders do up a quote for a steel stand, worked out to being approx $325!!!!!! in material alone. That doesn't even account for his time and rods. The steel stand dream is quickly fading, unless i can find an alternate source for cheaper/free material.

Wow, hubby built my stand for $80 in steel, and a couple cans of automotive paint. We used 1" square tube, 1/8" wall thickness. Then I used magnets to mount panels on the stand. I can remove all the panels for full access to the sump area.

Originally Posted by Fishy!

Somewhere between 32-40" I am flexible on this. I think i will likely settle on 36" height.

Ok good, lots of room for the skimmer then, even if you have a raised floor in the stand for the sump.