Alright, so this being my first post I wanted to get opinion and advice on my new sump. I ordered and have the emerald 39 sump refugium. My dilemma is I tried to make my own sump refugium from a 55gal tank and apparently I used the wrong silicone or not strong enough plexiglass and well…it didn’t work. My baffles got all out of wack. So now my newest dilemma is trying to get that tank out of my stand. I’m thinking I will either have to cut the stand…or break the 55gal sump.
But the real question is the new sump?! I have 10lbs of miracle mud for the refuge. Hanybody had experience with one and also about the chemi pure bag I purchased to place after the refugium. Any experience with that also. I am not a good person for reading…im a hands on learning type. Any and all help would be appreciated.
I had a similar problem trying to put baffles in an acrylic sump. I used acrylic baffles too thin, and left too much gap between the baffle and the sump wall. so when i siliconed them in and filled it up, the walls of the sump bowed out slightly and the baffles bowed more. then the forces and stretching on the silcone pealed it off. you could try again with stiffer baffles. most people have tried those high density plastic cutting boards. or glass. be careful working with the glass. its also harder to cut to a tight fit.
stands and sumps should be made to remove the sump when needed. i suppose you have a middle brace, . so you could drain down the tank half way and remove the brace to get the sump out, replace with the new one, then put the brace back.
Well I made the stand and it’s pretty sturdy, but I can barely fit my arm down into the old sump. Trying to re silicone the baffles wold be rediculous crazy. That’s why I purchased that trigger sump. That will fit no problem but I have to get the old sump out some how. I’m thinking I’m just gonna have to break the glass and take it out in pieces. Not thrilled and after a 4 day weekend and didn’t even start it cause I know it will be a pain. Just need a lil pick me up and some gumption. Thank you for the input though ken. I’m taking any and all advice!
Not sure if I missed something but how did you get the tank in there?
(Not sure if I missed something but how did you get the tank in there?)
Well that’s where I messed up I guess, before I had the tank up top of the stand and I was able to move the stand I placed the 55gal tank in from behind. Never thinking of having to take it back out…huge mistake. My project this weekend is to remove the 55gal tank. I don’t want to cut the stand and I think it will b easier to break the 55gal tank to get it out and the new trigger sump will fit rite in. That I’m sure cause I measured before I ordered.
Why can’t you drain the tank and remove the sump? Yes it’s a pain in the arse but it’s better then glass on the floor and better then rebuilding the stand.
Oh yea :Welcome)
How big is the main tank? If it’s possible I would drain it and slide the tank out to get the sump out. Draining the tank isn’t that big of a deal if you have enough containers to hold the water. If not just ask I know I have a big enough container that could probably hold all the water in your system. Let me/us know what you need us to help with.
Ya, you could just drain everything into a few 45g brute trash cans.
If you decide to break it to get it out, cover the glass in duct tape and it will keep most of the glass from getting on the floor.
Well thank you. Going to get into it today and look at the best option, then get started on it tomm. Have too many other things going on to devote the time to it. I do have a 35gal rubber made trash can. Thanks guys for the offers. I might look at draining the main tank to slide it away from the wall just enough. Is going to be a pain. That’s a great idea with the duck tape also…very smart! My tank is 75gal main tank.
I know this is all jumbled into 1 post but what’s the general concensus on that trigger sump? Has anybody had dealings with 1 or owns 1 currently? Also is it a bad idea or good idea the miracle mudd? Should I do deep sand bed instead? I have some cheato from the the current sump and some mangroves, just didn’t know if there was something else/better that I could put in there? I was talking to joe at greenbanks and he just replaced his mudd after 15yrs! Any and all comments and suggestions appreciated and again thank you so much in advance!
Don’t know much about those sumps. I Dont use mud or know anybody who is. I was always told it had to be changed out which seemed like a PIA to me. If you want to build your own sump you might be better off with a 40 breeder under that tank. That will give pleanty of room to work under the tank. Trust me you want as much room as you can get.
You shouldn’t have to drain the entire tank, drain most of it and you should be able to slide it away from the wall fairly easily.