Need some advice/help.

[esnapz]

Hey everyone,

Well my 75g rr tank from AO is home. I'm soo excited to get this up and running.
(Not sure if you all remember in a past post I mentioned I purchased a coralife pro 125 skimmer.) Well the skimmer barely fits under the tank. :-\ It fits if placed on the floor, it won't if placed in a tank for a sump. I brought the skimmer 1st without considering measurements.(My fault)
Now I really want to go with a sump/fuge setup. Lately I've been looking for a tank for my sump. I've been thinking about a 30g breeder or a 40g B. Doing the math on the amount of water. It almost reaches the skimmer's max of 125. In all my reading the rule of thumb is to have the skimmer be 1.5 to 2x the amount of your tank.
I'm stumped on what to do. I'm thinking I should go smaller with the sump say a 20L, but that still doesn't solve the skimmer not fitting under the tank. If anything I would have to place the sump at the edge of the stand and hang the skimmer on it. (Not what I visioned for my setup) My question to you all is what would you do? What can I do? What's best?

All the different opinions and info on the net is really starting to confuse me. I'm even starting to think I'm in over my head, but I'm still going to move forward.

Here is a pic of the new 75g with the skimmer placed on the floor.

Thanks for reading/listening to my rant.

E

 

[JRWOHLER]

Nice you got your tank! ;D
Man the trials and tribulations of the sump/skimmer/return pump. I don't suppose you have a basement under there or garage right behind there? I question the sump under my tank. Placing it out of the way basement/garage is a nice option. Of course you don't get to watch your fuge but not sure how exciting that really is.

There are some shorter skimmers but you but that might not be an option for you either.

Maybe you can build an individual refugium directly under the tank and a sumpt to the right.

 

[Brian]

If you could put the skimmer/sump somewhere remotely that would be your best bet, otherwise it looks like you may need to downgrade the skimmer. Also remember you will need room to remove the collection cup. Can you have it hang off the sump on the right hand side of the tank?

 

[MikeNapoli]

I was at A.O. when you picked up your tank. I had a similar issue and I found the easiest thing was to build my own stand.

As far as the skimmer only skimming 125. You can keep it on the tank until your fish load gets to be too much.

 

[esnapz]

I don't suppose you have a basement under there or garage right behind there?

No basement or garage. I wish that was an option.

Can you have it hang off the sump on the right hand side of the tank?

That all depends on the size of tank I use for the sump, I think. The sump might have to hang off the edge an inch or 2.

I had a similar issue and I found the easiest thing was to build my own stand.

Wifey keeps saying we should build one. I'm just not that handy and scared if I try it will fall.

You can keep it on the tank until your fish load gets to be too much.

Whew! Glad to hear I don't have to spend more $$$, cause there are still alot of things I need to get.

I was at A.O. when you picked up your tank.

So you saw the confused look on my face while Will was helping with the bulk heads and plumbing. All while the wife was amazed by the fish and making fishy faces at em....lol

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Phyl]

Hey! How did you get YOUR 75?! I'm still waiting on mine *pout*

Congrats on the tank. We're using a 10g tank under our current 65 but it is a softie/fowlr and doesn't use a skimmer. Yes, it can be done!

 

[esnapz]

How did you get YOUR 75?! I'm still waiting on mine *pout*

I dunno, call it newbie luck??

We're using a 10g tank under our current 65 but it is a softie/fowlr and doesn't use a skimmer. Yes, it can be done! Smiley

That's great to know. I've been under the impression that I have to go big cause bigger is better from what I've read.

I really think I've been over thinking and just confusing myself. Guess its the excitement of a new tank and new setup.

 

[tbone212371]

Hey Phyl,
No Skimmer Huh....
What else do use use for filtation???

 

[Hawkeye]

i know it may not be the best scenario but you could sell the skimmer to get something that is more conducive for you.

or even just something that would fit.

 

[esnapz]

Can I extend the in and out of the skimmer with tubing and just have it sit somewhere on the side?
Like tbone asked: what else do you use for filtration?

 

[tbone212371]

If you are having so much trouble with the skimmer size (Over Size)
I would sell it, recoupe most of your cash and purchase one that would fit your application.. and maybe some other hardware or supplies or livestock for your set up...
Just my own veiw on it.... Good luck with it either way you go...

 

[esnapz]

Thanks for the advice Tbone.
With the hopes that the skimmer works.(Haven't tried it yet) I got it for less than half the price of it new. I would like to hold on to it until I know what I'm doing and also to have something to compare to if the need for a new skimmer arises. I would then (hopefully) know my exact needs, cause I'm pretty sure I'll be wanting a bigger tank in the future.

If I can extend the intake and out of the skimmer, I can place it in a separate cabinet next to the tank.

E

 

[tbone212371]

You can extend the inlets and the outlets but you probably won't get the full effect of the waterlfow and air mixture through the pump do to head pressure drop.
But as long as it's not too far from the sump it could work...
I guess you will have to try it and see how well it works for you.. and how well it'll skim...
This hobby is nothing but trial and error! (Hopefully less error!!!!)

 

[Phyl]

Since this is a softie tank I don't skim, I use the rock for filtration. That and water changes. I wouldn't try to keep SPS that way though. I think you'd be disappoined.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Two possible solutions:

1. Agreeing with MikeNapoli – build your own. That’s what we did and actually prefer the 36 inch height as far as viewing the display tank. We built our simple 2 x 4 stand for less than $20.

2. Using the existing angle iron frame, cut out one of the cross members in the lower portion of the frame so that your sump tank will fit in between the metal frame. Now build another frame (say out of 2 x 6es) that will lift the metal stand up off the floor…whatever height you need to allow tank and skimmer to fit (2x6 will raise stand 5 ½ inches). The sump tank is now place directly on the floor. Unfortuantely, unless you cut away some of that wood in front of the tank, 5 ½ inches of the lower part of the tank will not be visible. I recommended wood because I’m a “wood” person. Conversely, if you’re into metal, you could easily weld extensions to the legs to get the required height.

 

[BobCReef]

hey i would suggest raising the stand. You could build a wood frame for the stand to sit on. Some nice trim around the bottom.

or just replace the stand with a new one. see what height you need and see if they have one or can order you one

 

[esnapz]

I didn't even think about raising the stand. That might just do that trick for my needs.

Thanks guys.

 

[esnapz]

Well..My wife and I were talking about the latest suggestions on building a platform. We came to a decision that if I'm going to build platform might as well just build a stand. So I'm going for it.

I'm hoping AO will accept a return on the stand or credit, if not it will be up for sale here and some other online places.

I found this site http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php I like if for the material list that it gives, just don't really know since its computer generated. I'm not sure if I'll follow it to the letter, but I think its going to help. Can any of you guys help with a site link, sketch, drawing, or material list that would do? Or suggest something better/easier?
We're thinking we want the stand to be 49"L x 20"W x 35"H I believe this will leave us with a 1/2" lip all around.

Hope I'm not driving you guys mad with my noobie antics. Thanks again guys..I'm off to the DIY section.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Let me preface my comments by stating that I am not an engineer and I have not looked up the stress / weight limits of wood

The site you quoted (http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php), I entered a tank size that I’m in the process of building a stand…it came back with using 4 x 4 wood only! I would only consider using 4 x 4 for legs, but never for the horizontal components…its too unstable (warps and twists). Dependant on the span you want, I would either use 2 x 6’s, doubled up, or 2 x 4’s, doubled up (for the deck)….(or, if you want to blow cash, a laminated beam). The one 75g that I currently have is actually on a store-bought stand that is just ¾ inch pine.

Check out the DYI section where mikem shows the stand he built for a 125…with all the fancy molding accoutrements. What’s important is the framing he shows to support the stand. Again, with no engineering thought, for a 75g (ie a 4 foot tank), I’m thinking 2x4 deck (doubled up) with either 2x4 or 2x6 legs…but I say that with ignorance.

 

[esnapz]

I also noticed that the site only gave specs for 4x4's. As you suggested I'm going to go with 2x4's or 2x6's.
I don't know how the store brought stands do the job. The one holding up my 56g tall seems to be made of a thin panel over what seems to be particle board.(I think particle or is it mdf. Its definitely not plywood.)