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standard 75g stand question

3.6K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  woody019  
#1 ·
Im in the market for a nice custom made acrylic sump. Im tired of the DIY 20g tall sump I have now, having to deal with crammed equipment. Also having my protein skimmer outside beside the tank due to it's height. I figured if I'm going to go through the trouble of draining enough water to lift the tank, knock the bottom off the stand and replace the bottom to get the sump into the stand. That I would also move my skimmer underneath the stand while I was at it because its an eyesore. This is where my issue lies. How would I raise the height of my standard 75g stand 4-5" in order to clear the height of my skimmer?

I thought about building a base with a couple of stacked 2X4's. But then thought it would be overkill not to mention it would also restrict the size of my sump as the 2x4's would sit flat on the 4" side. I don't want to venture off and build myself a new stand because to be honest I wouldn't be able to make it perfectly square and level with a circular saw. I also at all cost want to avoid paying someone good chunk of money to build a stand. Is there something simple, sturdy and cost effective way (notice I didn't say cheap haha) that I could do on my own to raise the height of the stand and if possible constrict the least amount of internal area of the stand?

My thoughts on size of the sump are 36x12x12, utilizing as much room as I have under the stand. Worst case scenario and I have to pay someone who knows what there doing and has all the proper tools. I would have them extend the depth of the stand for more room underneath and at the same time order the sumps width a little deeper. Also would give me space for my equipment down the road
 
#3 ·
not sure what you mean by having plywood on the top. If you mean if the stand came so that the tank sits on plywood. No my stand is open under the tank. But I think I know what your saying correct me if I'm wrong but so I understand your saying lift the tank not the stand. In other terms build up from the top of the stand, instead of adding to the bottom?
 
#5 ·
I like RM's idea.I think it is easier if you're not inclined to building.If you look around you should be able to find a simple molding that will match the height you add or one even a little taller that could cover the bottom band of the tank.
When I made my stands I had to make them all taller then the normal stand to fit just about anything in them.Even doing that I still only have 1 sump in any of my stands(the 120 fowlr with simple DIY sump).Every other tank is eith too low,or the filter is too big to fit in it.
I'm all for the biggest sump you can fit and know from searching there are some pretty inexpensive acrylic ones available on ebay.Most of mine are made from glass aquariums or at least have a glass aquarium running in series with acrylic filter/sump.
 
#6 ·
I see now! Much, Much easier! Its not that I'm not inclined to building, I just don't have the equipment like a table saw to make straight, 90 degree cuts. Im not going to do a stand if the end product looks like I was drunk building it haha. Adding to the top is the perfect solution though just looked up under my stand and would be a piece of cake to do. Also did some measuring. I can fit up to a L46"xW16" sump in the stand very comfortably.

Thank you both!