Show us your Rubbermaid sump.

[yepreef]

Hi guys,
I am thinking of purchasing a 50G Rubbermaid tank as sump for my 120G. Who is using it? i want to see it.
Thanks

 

[sghera64]

18 gallon chaeto fuge. “Just fits” in the stand beneath my 135 gal FT. Notice the PVC cross brace and string going across to ensure water pressure does not cause it to bulge.

Water flows out via the siphon on the right. So, i drilled no holes - no leaks.

 

[BestMomEver]

Hi guys,
I am thinking of purchasing a 50G Rubbermaid tank as sump for my 120G. Who is using it? i want to see it.
Thanks

I have one that my horse, donkey, and goats drink out of! I’ve had it for years. They hold up very well. Certainly, in my pasture it is abused. The donkey likes to stand in it. Got to love the long ears!

 

[BestMomEver]

18 gallon chaeto fuge. “Just fits” in the stand beneath my 135 gal FT. Notice the PVC cross brace and string going across to ensure water pressure does not cause it to bulge.

Water flows out via the siphon on the right. So, i drilled no holes - no leaks.

That’s cool! I’ve thought about a RM bucket. If I decide to do it, it will be the water trough version that the OP has. I would be afraid the regular bucket would rot. How long have you had it?

 

[reefwiser]

They make great sumps plan on buying several for my new tank build. Use to have 6 150 gallon ones hooked together in my coral study tanks.

 

[ksfulk]

This ones from a few years ago - its a 150gallon stock tank on a 180 gallon DT with a 30 gallon refugium. The sump was on the opposite side of the wall, so I didnt have much in the way of space constraints. I built a frame with 3/4" pvc and then zip tied egg crate to it to support the skimmer at the right height, meanwhile I filled the bottom of the tank with rock. This tank used a bean animal style drain and was overall a really nice setup. In general, its recommended that you replace the bulkhead that they come with, because they are cheap and have a tendancy to leak (I just siliconed around mine on the inside) and if you are going to drill it, dont drill on the rounded ends, because the bulkheads or o-rings will have a hard time allowing your pvc to join up and/or sit flush with the tank.

 

[sghera64]

That’s cool! I’ve thought about a RM bucket. If I decide to do it, it will be the water trough version that the OP has. I would be afraid the regular bucket would rot. How long have you had it?

The RM in the pic is about 6 months in service. The two 25 gallon clear RM tubs I use for my frag tanks are many years old and have no rot. I did join them with two 2-inch bulkheads at the water surface. Water drains through a 1-1/2” bulkhead near the bottom. So far it is all holding together nicely.

 

[revhtree]

As quick as the clear get dirty these are great idea!

 

[User1]

I have one that my horse, donkey, and goats drink out of! I’ve had it for years. They hold up very well. Certainly, in my pasture it is abused. The donkey likes to stand in it. Got to love the long ears!

I honestly don't know why but thank you. This for whatever reason had me laughing pretty hard.

 

[BestMomEver]

I honestly don't know why but thank you. This for whatever reason had me laughing pretty hard.

You’d have to know my donkey! She’s really cute. If I don’t feed her on time, she picks up het feed bucket and tosses it around. If you ever have the opportunity, get a donkey. They put a comical twist into every day.

This ones from a few years ago - its a 150gallon stock tank on a 180 gallon DT with a 30 gallon refugium. The sump was on the opposite side of the wall, so I didnt have much in the way of space constraints. I built a frame with 3/4" pvc and then zip tied egg crate to it to support the skimmer at the right height, meanwhile I filled the bottom of the tank with rock. This tank used a bean animal style drain and was overall a really nice setup. In general, its recommended that you replace the bulkhead that they come with, because they are cheap and have a tendancy to leak (I just siliconed around mine on the inside) and if you are going to drill it, dont drill on the rounded ends, because the bulkheads or o-rings will have a hard time allowing your pvc to join up and/or sit flush with the tank.

The drain at the bottom that screws in... is that what you’re talking about that you siliconed? If that’s what you’re talking about I can’t believe it leaked.... that’s crazy! I’ve had mine outside for 15 years and it’s never leaked. Of course, saltwater is hard on everything. But we had a 500 reef years back... I wish I’d known about those things. Would’ve saved me tons of money!

 

[ZoWhat]

They're great bc you can drill holes in the side of them in a snap for MOD purposes

If you totally screw up, they aren't too expensive to replace.

I have a 100g one going on 10yrs. I think I paid $79 for it brandnew....I think the price hasn't changed.

Your local Feed N Seed stores should gave a ton of them

Once a year drain and deep clean is a snap.

I wouldn't use anything else bc looks and ascetics means ZERO to me bc my sump is in the basement.



.

 

[User1]

You’d have to know my donkey! She’s really cute. If I don’t feed her on time, she picks up het feed bucket and tosses it around. If you ever have the opportunity, get a donkey. They put a comical twist into every day.

Lol - I'm sure she is a fireball. Sadly no opportunity here. I live in the suburbs and while surrounded by wetlands and it being sort of out in the country I am in a housing community and no room for such animals. I've always wanted to live on a couple acres but never seemed to make it happen. Country, ocean, country, ocean - ended up with neither I do have a Mustang though in my stable. Ok, well, not a four legged one with horse shoes but tires. And I have a garage not a stable. I don't think that counts even though when I open the door a horse image is displayed...

 

[BestMomEver]

Lol - I'm sure she is a fireball. Sadly no opportunity here. I live in the suburbs and while surrounded by wetlands and it being sort of out in the country I am in a housing community and no room for such animals. I've always wanted to live on a couple acres but never seemed to make it happen. Country, ocean, country, ocean - ended up with neither I do have a Mustang though in my stable. Ok, well, not a four legged one with horse shoes but tires. And I have a garage not a stable. I don't think that counts even though when I open the door a horse image is displayed...

Where do you live near wetlands? Are you in the swampy south like me? I’m outside Mobile, Alabama.

Btw, does your mustang hace long ears? That’s half the cuteness!

 

[User1]

Where do you live near wetlands? Are you in the swampy south like me? I’m outside Mobile, Alabama.

Btw, does your mustang hace long ears? That’s half the cuteness!

No, not swampy south nor near the Crimson Tide I'm on the crazy West coast of Northern California. Our wetlands are probably different than yours but between what used to be called Mather Air Force Base and Folsom is some undeveloped land. City granted one developer some land but they had to keep the surrounding wetlands in tack for migratory birds. They also allow some rangers to have cattle. It is actually pretty cool. At night you can hear the coyotes and if lucky see them from time to time among other creatures.

No, no floppy ears It is in full gallop mode though but still doesn't count

 

[User1]

With regards to the sump - our feed store near us whom I go to from time to time for dog food carries the 100 and 150 gallon ones like these here. I was going to buy one to use in case of a tank emergency. Seems like a good safety net in case something happens and you need to home fish, corals, and rock rather quickly. Seems like it would be easy to set up in that case. Just add some water, de-chlorinate if you don't have pre-made water, bottle of Dr. Tim's or other bacteria and bam - instant crash kit.

I actually think I'm going to do this.

 

[joseserrano]

They make great sumps plan on buying several for my new tank build. Use to have 6 150 gallon ones hooked together in my coral study tanks.

Any pics of your old set up?

 

[EW_Fish]

Google search sump rooms and go to images. There are tons of people using these

 

[reefwiser]

Any pics of your old set up?

Sadly after moving into our patio we where broken into and two of my computers where taken with all pictures on them.
I will be doing a build thread on the new setup though.

My favorite setup is D2mini ‘s

http://wamas.org/forums/topic/61421-150g-rubbermaid-stock-tank-as-sump/

 

[sghera64]

Premium Aquatics has tubs like these holding their skimmers. They have round ones 300-500 gal. holding their live rock.

Our LFS, also uses something like these to hold the bulk live rock they sell.

 

[BestMomEver]

See, here she is...

No, not swampy south nor near the Crimson Tide I'm on the crazy West coast of Northern California. Our wetlands are probably different than yours but between what used to be called Mather Air Force Base and Folsom is some undeveloped land. City granted one developer some land but they had to keep the surrounding wetlands in tack for migratory birds. They also allow some rangers to have cattle. It is actually pretty cool. At night you can hear the coyotes and if lucky see them from time to time among other creatures.

No, no floppy ears It is in full gallop mode though but still doesn't count

Roooooolllllll Tide Roll!

With regards to the sump - our feed store near us whom I go to from time to time for dog food carries the 100 and 150 gallon ones like these here. I was going to buy one to use in case of a tank emergency. Seems like a good safety net in case something happens and you need to home fish, corals, and rock rather quickly. Seems like it would be easy to set up in that case. Just add some water, de-chlorinate if you don't have pre-made water, bottle of Dr. Tim's or other bacteria and bam - instant crash kit.

I actually think I'm going to do this.

They are relatively inexpensive for what you get. They last forever and if you want to fill them to the top, you can get a top off float thingy that goes on the rim.