Hi,
I am stuck on an engineering issue as I plan my sump and plumbing layout.
The plan is for my Octo 160 skimmer to sit in a 20 gallon tank, in a rubbermaid tub. I opted for the 20 gallon so I would have a greater possible depth range for running the skimmer.
This 20 gallon will sit in a 55 Gallon rubbermaid brute. I will use a vertical PVC tube and adjust the height of it to modulate my skimmer water depth.
My concern is that this skimmer tank, with skimmer and water, just over half full, will weigh something like 180-190 lbs. And the rubbermaid brute bottom is not flat - not even close.
So I thought I would just place the 20 gallon on a sheet of Lexan, to spread the load. But now I am concerned if this will be enough.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might spread the load evenly to the bottom of the sump? Other than sand, as the return pump will sit in this tub.
Perhaps a foam of some kind? Is there anything pliable and reefwater safe that I could lay on the bottom of the sump to bring the load to the floor?
And in this situation, would you recommend using a 2nd rubbermaid, making it double walled? I already bought an extra, but was hoping to use it for mixing saltwater batches.
Note that the 3 full salt buckets sit OK on the lexan; but this is obviously not a good setup for a glass aquarium.
Any/all comments welcome,
Thanks in advance,
I am stuck on an engineering issue as I plan my sump and plumbing layout.
The plan is for my Octo 160 skimmer to sit in a 20 gallon tank, in a rubbermaid tub. I opted for the 20 gallon so I would have a greater possible depth range for running the skimmer.
This 20 gallon will sit in a 55 Gallon rubbermaid brute. I will use a vertical PVC tube and adjust the height of it to modulate my skimmer water depth.
My concern is that this skimmer tank, with skimmer and water, just over half full, will weigh something like 180-190 lbs. And the rubbermaid brute bottom is not flat - not even close.
So I thought I would just place the 20 gallon on a sheet of Lexan, to spread the load. But now I am concerned if this will be enough.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might spread the load evenly to the bottom of the sump? Other than sand, as the return pump will sit in this tub.
Perhaps a foam of some kind? Is there anything pliable and reefwater safe that I could lay on the bottom of the sump to bring the load to the floor?
And in this situation, would you recommend using a 2nd rubbermaid, making it double walled? I already bought an extra, but was hoping to use it for mixing saltwater batches.
Note that the 3 full salt buckets sit OK on the lexan; but this is obviously not a good setup for a glass aquarium.
Any/all comments welcome,
Thanks in advance,
