--= who's using/has used a rubbermaid tub for sump & ref

[J Crew]

alright, well i think i've made my decision on the amiracle. i think that i'm gonna get just the overflow and then make a diy sump/refugium. after talking on this board, i've discovered that a 20gal won't fit under my 55 gal stand. so i think i'm gonna get rubbermaid tub and use that. i've read mixed reviews about using these things. what i'd like to know are which ones have worked for everyone and which ones to aviod.

also, will i be able to use this as a refugium also? how has been able to combine a rubbermaid tub into a sump and refugium? thanks for any help, peace

 

[butt.doc]

J-

I've just about finished my sump, using a 15 gal Rubbermaid container, and have learned a few things along the way. I'm not sure what model container it is (I pulled the label off a while ago) but it is clear with a detachable white top and about 15x15x27 or so. Everything worked well until the first time I filled it with water, and the baffels which seemed to be held strongly in place with silicone sealant fell completely off. I discovered that the weight of the water in the container caused the sides of the container to buldge, and the smooth plastic surface did not hold the silicone very well. I then sanded the surface of the container prior to replacing the baffels, and put a few wooden braces on the outside of the container, and it has been working perfectly.

 

[FishGeeek]

Here is the one I have been useing since 10-97

No probs, only fill 1/3 of it.
Here is a photo of mine http://www.fishgeeek.homestead.com/Equipment.html

HTH
BRIAN

 

[Ben B.]

I also had the problem of sides bulging out... I made a cross brace out of pvc, and attached it to the top/middle of the tub with screws and washers. All in all, a ten dollar solution, and it's held up for years.

 

[SPC]

J, a 20 gallon tank wont fit, which demension is off? I will agree with the Butt Doc here, baffles are a pain to get to stay in these containers.
Steve

 

[davelin315]

There are also tubs that are made of a high impact pvc that you can get that are easy to drill and work with. I use these (a 300 for the pond, a 150 for the sump, and a 60 for the refugium). Look at the site on McMaster-Carr for various ones that are available, or you can go to the rubbermaid site and get a supplier near you (Home Depot is supposed to be able to order the tubs for you). There are different kinds of tanks (I just looked and the rubbermaid ones are 50+ gallons) some that are as small as 2 gallons. Look under "stock tanks".

[ November 26, 2001: Message edited by: davelin315 ]</p>

 

[AuroraDave]

I used 2 rectangle tubs to make mine. The length of smaller is about the same as the width of the larger container. The smaller tub sits on top of the larger tub, facing the other direction and handles the mechanical filtration.
The large tub is going the same direction as the tank, the small tub is opposite (90 degrees).
First, I cut a hole out of the lid of the large tub (the same size as the bottom of the small container) and the small tubs sits right above it. In the small tub, I cut out the bottom and cut holes in the lid, where my bulkheads feed water from the tank above.
I wish I had a picture. It is worth a thousand words...

 

[sharkdude]

The above is a dsb refugium I added to the system about a year ago. Lighting is provided by a LOA #9266 65 watt flourex available at Home Depot for under $30. I just cut a hole in the lid and the fixture rest right on top.

for baffles, just nest different sized containers within each other.

I use another clear 15 gal conatiner for my sump. Been setup for nearly three years no problem. easy to drill (for kent float valve top off)

A few things to keep in mind,
look for a container with a flat bottom
ones with legs or non flush bottoms are prone to fatigue and cracking over time
make sure the container has not been treated with anti fungal substances
get one as sturdy as you can, ie thickest plastic
bowing of sides is not a big deal for smaller containers