Sump won’t fit through front of stand

[Sod Buster]

If the sump is 20 x 20 x 15, there is a face that is 20 x 15 which is less than 20 x 19.

Well bud, what do you do with the other panel that is also 20" trying to go through a 19" hole? It is 20" X 20" square. It could a 5 inch deep sump and it still wouldn't fit through the front. Pull the tank out and re sump from the back.

 

[Aaron Stone]

Well bud, what do you do with the other panel that is also 20" trying to go through a 19" hole? It is 20" X 20" square. It could a 5 inch deep sump and it still wouldn't fit through the front. Pull the tank out and re sump from the back.

Well bud, think about it...

 

[jayjigga]

If the sump is 20 x 20 x 15, there is a face that is 20 x 15 which is less than 20 x 19.

 

[jayjigga]

Well bud, what do you do with the other panel that is also 20" trying to go through a 19" hole? It is 20" X 20" square. It could a 5 inch deep sump and it still wouldn't fit through the front. Pull the tank out and re sump from the back.

If it was 5" tall, that might rotate once in. I'm not sure if there's enough clearance to work with being 15" tall, but I'm down with just putting it on its side hehe

 

[Aaron Stone]

If the only issue is fitting the sump through the cutout, setting aside the possible necessity to rotate the sump once it is inside the stand, then it is a 2-dimensional problem, not 3. So you can pick any two dimensions from the sump that you want, say the side that is 20 x 15, and slide it on through. This does ignore the potential need to flip/rotate it once it is in the stand, but it appears that there may be enough room to do that.

 

[Sod Buster]

I get it now, she should have 24 inches of depth inside to rotate in place in the cabinet. I looked the cabinet up. I apologize.
30 x 30 cabinet with a 3 inch lip around the top.

 

[Aaron Stone]

No problem Bud.

 

[OPhelanK]

I’m sorry the doorway is 19x19... lol I let someone else measure but I just redid it and it’s definitely not 20....

 

[Sod Buster]

Then you know what you need to do. Get some buckets or a smaller sump.

 

[scriptmonkey]

No problem Bud.

Bud lite

 

[A sea K]

You only need to remove .5 inches from each side. I would think that would be ok. I would mark and remove carefully with jigsaw or sander. You could the cut new “braces” and replace say .75 wide. If you were careful and matched it would look intended. I would not move stand with loaded tank. That is more likely to cause problem as would stress stand more.

I am completely on board with this. No brainer if it was me and I wouldnt lose any sleep whatsoever over it. Your still left with a 5" corner post and I'm sure the header is more than sufficient to carry an additional 1" of open span.

 

[siggy]

Im not sure but it looks like there is a structural frame then a door along with a door frame (need Better pic's )..IF thats the case you should be able to remove the door and door frame. Check to see if the framing for door
runs all the way to the top and bottom of the stand if it does not then you can temporarily remove or trim. Show MORE BETTER PIC'S...... BTW Beautiful tank and critters, I agree with removing as much water as possible whatever you attempt. Good Luck

 

[PhreeByrd]

Wood is extremely strong in axial compression. Removing a total of an inch is not going to cause the stand to fall apart or even to sag. If you needed to cut a horizontal component, then that's a different issue altogether. This looks like no big deal. What's the full width and thickness of the "brace" (it's actually a cabinet stile)? I'm also assuming it's particle board rather than actual wood, correct?

 

[Oldsalt]

This Bud's for you. Lol... According to a good % of answers here, looks like you drain tank 50% and put sump in from rear or buy a smaller sump.
I know what I said made you want to cry and I'm sorry. I just had to modify my own sump to accommodate a new skimmer. Glass cutter made easy work of it but I have lots of experience and a high quality glass cutter. It's certainly not a job for everyone.

 

[Katrina71]

Thanks for all the input. My gut was telling me to move the tank but my husband is/was totally against it. Now to talk him into it.... lol

Been there. Sometimes they are stubborn!

 

[A sea K]

Yes, we are stubborn only because we don't care to do things that require unnecessary work.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Can you return the sump and purchase one that fits

+1
My opinion, this got way complicated. It does not fit thru the front. Can it get in thru the back, if you are willing to try. If it can fit, and you are willing to try, the. All is good.

Otherwise, get something that you like that fits. I do not see starting to cut up undamaged items to make something work. (Would most of us start cutting up our countertop or cabinets to fit in a refrigerator that was too big?)

 

[A sea K]

. (Would most of us start cutting up our countertop or cabinets to fit in a refrigerator that was too big?)]

Do you really want me to answer that? I'll go ahead anyway, of course I would!

 

[ca1ore]

The other thing to consider is if the sump needed to be removed at some later date. Personally, I’d just remove 1/2” or so from each side and scab them from behind with additional plywood. Still wise to at least partially drain down the tank though.

 

[Westside Guy]

Would most of us start cutting up our countertop or cabinets to fit in a refrigerator that was too big?

It is funny that you mention that example because I had to cut into an overhead cabinet when I purchased a new refrigerator last year in order to make it fit. The bottom of the cabinet had just a 1/2 inch space over the top of my old fridge that was 15 years old and the new one that I purchased was 2 inches taller. It was a pain in the butt but I had no choice. :mad:

That being said I would not consider cutting into this cabinet and risking its structural integrity. I would definitely drain water and enter through the back or if possible return the sump and buy one that can fit through the front.