Fitting problem with Sump and Skimmer

[Prime Minister]

Ok here is yet another kink in the ole plow line… I am in the process of building a stand for my 46 bow font tank. As I was test fitting equipment I ran into a snag. Now let me give some background info. I purchase my sump a few months before I purchase the skimmer and haven’t a chance to use the skimmer. Now that tip bit was explained I can continue. As I was testing fitting equipment I notice that my skimmer takes up all the room in my sump leaving no space for my return pump or the skimmer pump. I have attached a picture of this showing my dilemma and a rough fitting of the equipment in the stand. Now I talked with a guy at the fish store and he suggested me buying another skimmer that would fit or a custom sump. Now I paid a nice shiny penny for my current equipment and not really wanting to come off any more money if needed…at least let me get my money worth out of it first. Ok enough with all that so what options do I have and can it involve me not spending a great deal of money? By the way the bottom of the stand where the equipment will be measurers 20x38!

 

[bimmerzs]

@Prime Minister wrote:

Hi,

I would suggest keeping the skimmer and ditching the wet/dry(sump). You can pick up a used 20G, 30G or 40G tank and build your own sump/fuge, it's very easy. Check this site out for idea's http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

Cheers,

 

[bdare]

I used one of those wet dry filters for a sump once upon a time.

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I ended up putting an AquaC urchin in the section on the left. It worked great for the tank I had at the time.

In case the picture doesn't work:
http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23752&cat=500&ppuser=19152

 

[malofish]

I have seen people use bulkheads and pvc to "link" another small tank to increase water and sump space. But yeah space is tight and those 46 gal. bow fronts aren't very long.

 

[Firewolf4]

I just went through this with a 200gal wet/dry setup. my suggestions:

1, Gut the insides so you have a box, move the skimmer over to the side you have the bioballs, created a new baffle set and put your return pump in the area you have the skimmer in. this will give you a constant water level for the skimmer, you can also partition out a small section where the skimmer is currently to make a small fuge. I'll be tearing down my current setup tomorrow to hardmount everything. I'll get you some Pics.

2, Replace the sump as others have suggested with one that best utilizes the available space you have and accommodates the hardware you're working with. Sell the current sump to offset the cost (or trade it if that can work for you)

 

[Firewolf4]

Here's the before and after. excuse the stock photo but it gives you an idea