Sump option

[Magnar]

I am trying to decide what sump to get for my 120 gallon 48x24x24 aquarium that is on its way.
One problem I have is the cabinet has a center brace on front, top, and back. I tried a bashsea 30-18 smart sump and it would just fit going through the top. I’m sure I could remove the top brace and put something bigger in if needed. The top brace is held on by staples. Once the aquarium is on the cabinet whatever is in there will be there to stay.

Do I need anything bigger? Any opinions on this sump? Is this a good size sump for the 120? I can get this for a very good price.
Is there anything better that I should look at and that doesn’t break the bank.

I’m not against this but trying to make sure since I can’t replace it without removing the aquarium.

Thank you in advance!

 

[RobertK]

Is cutting a side door in the stand an option?

 

[Magnar]

I looked at the cabinet again when I got home and I am not sure cutting a door in the side would be and option. It looks to me that the side panel is part of what supports it.

 

[RobertK]

The Bashsea 30-18 sump holds approximately 37 gallons, which is approx 31% of your tank, which should be a good size. Bummer that the only way you can get it in the stand is through the top though!

I'm facing a similar situation with my new tank I'm planning. On my old tank the only way I could fit a big enough sump in through the doors was to build it myself in two pieces and connect them with bulkheads inside the stand:

That sump worked well for 15 years, and I suppose you could consider something like that if you like DIY projects. On my new tank I didn't want to do that again but I also did not want to have a sump that could not be removed from the stand without draining the tank. So a friend and I spent a lot of time mocking up different size sumps to determine the biggest one I could fit in the doors of the new stand. Sounds like you have already done that with your stand.

 

[UnnamedReef]

Are you sure the center brace is structural? A lot of them aren't. On my 55 gallon stand i removed the rear center brace, added two braces in its place to the back (to make me feel better) wide enough to accommodate a sump. Slid the sump in from the back. On my 120 the front center brace is easily removable to allow for a large sump

 

[Subsea]

I am trying to decide what sump to get for my 120 gallon 48x24x24 aquarium that is on its way.
One problem I have is the cabinet has a center brace on front, top, and back. I tried a bashsea 30-18 smart sump and it would just fit going through the top. I’m sure I could remove the top brace and put something bigger in if needed. The top brace is held on by staples. Once the aquarium is on the cabinet whatever is in there will be there to stay.

Do I need anything bigger? Any opinions on this sump? Is this a good size sump for the 120? I can get this for a very good price.
Is there anything better that I should look at and that doesn’t break the bank.

I’m not against this but trying to make sure since I can’t replace it without removing the aquarium.

Thank you in advance!

I have the same tank as you. I have nothing fancy for the sump because I don’t skim or add stuff. So, I used a 40G breeder and filled it with live rock and a return pump. It’s full of cryptic sponges & Pods.

What is your goal in the display tank?

 

[Magnar]

I am not sure if the center brace is structural or not. The stand is a seapora monarch 48x24 if that tells you anything. Ha.

It will be a progression over time. At first it will be a fowlr but I will only get fish that are reef safe. I say it will be a fowlr but if I got it through the cycle and a coral show was going on I can't say I wouldn't buy anything. Ha. I will try to resist at first for a while anyway.

 

[RobertK]

It would be nice if you could find a way to make the front center brace removable. Is the stand in use currently? Are you willing to modify your stand?

 

[Magnar]

It's not in use currently. I am trying to patiently wait for the aquarium to come in so I can go pick it up.

I'm not against it but wood working remodeling a stand is not my thing. That is why I purchased one because I would never trust an aquarium this heavy to sit on something I built. haha

 

[RobertK]

@UncommonSense can you help?

 

[UncommonSense]

@UncommonSense can you help?

Of course!

I am not sure if the center brace is structural or not. The stand is a seapora monarch 48x24 if that tells you anything. Ha.

So, I did some digging, and cannot find any good interior pictures of this stand to examine how it’s constructed..

— would it be possible to get a photo or photos from the stand interior viewing the front center brace?

— I’m also curious to see how the top and rear stand center braces are constructed/fastened… they are the alternative access points!

Follow up question:

— is the tank rimmed, or rimless? (I assume the former given the stand’s lack of a flat top plate, but I always like to check!)

 

[Magnar]

Thank you and I will get pictures posted tomorrow.

The tank is rimmed.

 

[UncommonSense]

The tank is rimmed.

So, assuming the tank’s plastic bottom center brace isn’t flush with the bottom of the plastic rim (and thus load bearing), you only need the top center brace on the stand to prevent the long spans from bowing! — it can easily be made removable by using screws to reinstall it!

 

[Magnar]

Sorry for the delay but I finally got the pics of the cabinet. If you need a different angle or anything let me know and I will get that.
I did take one on the inside of the side panel as someone mentioned cutting a door in the side. I'm not sure I would want to because that side is easily visible and also to me it looks like the side panel helps support the top.

Actually, to me when I look at it, I don't see how this can hold 1100 or 1200lbs period.

Also, the board that goes across the top center has a staple sticking up which I need to tap back in. The guy at the store pulled up on that board and accidently pulled it loose.

 

[00W]

It's not in use currently. I am trying to patiently wait for the aquarium to come in so I can go pick it up.

I'm not against it but wood working remodeling a stand is not my thing. That is why I purchased one because I would never trust an aquarium this heavy to sit on something I built. haha

Sump doesn't have to go under the tank.

 

[Magnar]

Unfortunately for me it does. I only have the space under the cabinet and no room otherwise.

 

[00W]

Unfortunately for me it does. I only have the space under the cabinet and no room otherwise.

Bummer.

 

[UncommonSense]

Sorry for the delay but I finally got the pics of the cabinet. If you need a different angle or anything let me know and I will get that.
I did take one on the inside of the side panel as someone mentioned cutting a door in the side. I'm not sure I would want to because that side is easily visible and also to me it looks like the side panel helps support the top.

Actually, to me when I look at it, I don't see how this can hold 1100 or 1200lbs period.

Also, the board that goes across the top center has a staple sticking up which I need to tap back in. The guy at the store pulled up on that board and accidently pulled it loose.

Hmm... the top center support is going to be the only easy access without getting into partially rebuilding this stand!

I suggest popping out that center brace to install the largest sump you can fit, then screwing it back in place! (Pre-drill to prevent dry wood splitting)

— this would be after adding some reinforcements, of course!

Here’s an example of how I reinforced my 180g’s stand! (Note that dual center braces are removed here pending sump installation, before center braces are screwed into place!)

 

[UnnamedReef]

Bummer, the center brace looks at least partially structural. A lot are just held in by staples and not really loaded. Would be risky to have a sump that only goes in from the top for the future. If you can find one that slides in between the front brace and sides that would be ideal; or a stand that accommodates a sump. IMO a sump is worth making adjustments or changes now to have one vs not having one

 

[Magnar]

I think I am giving up on the idea that the sump is going between the supports on the front since it reduces the size so much or changing the supports.

I have one more question on this.

I am looking the Trigger Saphire 34 vs the Bashsea Smart Series 30-18. I can get both at a very good price and pretty much the same price so which one should I go with?

Also, I wanted to thank all of you that have answered and tried to help me find a solution. I sincerely appreciate your help. Thank you!