I need a new skimmer but I have some questions (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Rezac
- Start date
Before getting a new skimmer I would suggest like the others to get a new sump in place. Either building your own sump or buying one. DG suggested connecting multiple tanks together, however I am always against that idea since its too risky on leaks and tanks breaking or cracking. Better to do 1 sump under there after you figure out what you can fit. Taking out the center brace between the doors usually can be done also if your careful.
Sounds good just let me know if you have any questions. I have a massive selection of skimmers in stock.
Sure, drain the tank.
If you are going to do this, just do it right. Get a 40breeder, 20long, stock tank, or a large garbage can, or whatever, and drain some of the water into it. Add a heater and airstone, and put the fish in. Drain the tank, do what you need to to get the sump in, rebuild, and restart the tank. JMHO.
Draining the tank is the best way to do it. Doing that way would make it easier to just drill the back and install a proper overflow. The hang on the back overflow boxes WILL eventually cause you problems down the road. Also if you drain the tank you could drop in a sump from the top of the stand providing you have help to get the tank off the stand
The tank didn't need to be drilled. It already is. Moving the tank takes 4 people when the tank was empty let alone 200 pounds of sand and crushed coral and another 200 pounds of live rock, and to have enough places to put 220 gallons isn't easy. Not
Not an engineer or anything close but my idea would be to get some 2x4's cut. Put them in to replace the current supports, allowing enough room to get the new sump in. Then replace current supports and remove 2x4's.
Again don't quote me on this working but that's where I would start my plan of attack.
Again don't quote me on this working but that's where I would start my plan of attack.
MarineAddict
Senior Member
Some of the older tall floor jacks would work too. You'd need a few. Otherwise I have 3 55 gallon barrels and a dolly you can certainly borrow to drain the water into. And after this weekend I'll have a 4th so that would cover 220 gallons of water
. Then we'd just need a few more volunteers to lend some muscles and help lift. After all, we are a club. Or you could just ask Marty to lift the whole thing himself and show us all up
. Then we'd just need a few more volunteers to lend some muscles and help lift. After all, we are a club. Or you could just ask Marty to lift the whole thing himself and show us all up
I like that idea. It will take quite a few people to move the tank, not sure where I would put it for the time it was off the stand. Having the drums sure wouldn't hurt to drain some water so I could just pop the doors off for an hour or less and call it good. I could get floor jacks from my dad too I suppose. I don't think mine would be tall enough
I have that stand, two of them actually. Don't move the tank, you'd have to remove the substrate and that's as much fun as dinner with Angie.
Drain out ~ 85% of the water, leave enough to cover fish and move the corals low.
The center supports will just pop out, they are only stapled in. If your really worried, stick a 2x4 in the center and then pop out one of the existing braces. Just sand, rock and a little water the stand would hold fine popping out the brace.
or, if you really want to do it up
just pop out the 3-4 panels on the end and slide in any sump you wanted (after water removed first). Those panels/supports are just stapled in and pop in and out. Leave the corner supports in place and just pop out the middle panels. the existing frame (2x4) is way more than strong enough to support the load across the ~ 18 span or so.
Drain out ~ 85% of the water, leave enough to cover fish and move the corals low.
The center supports will just pop out, they are only stapled in. If your really worried, stick a 2x4 in the center and then pop out one of the existing braces. Just sand, rock and a little water the stand would hold fine popping out the brace.
or, if you really want to do it up
just pop out the 3-4 panels on the end and slide in any sump you wanted (after water removed first). Those panels/supports are just stapled in and pop in and out. Leave the corner supports in place and just pop out the middle panels. the existing frame (2x4) is way more than strong enough to support the load across the ~ 18 span or so.