Rubber Maid Sump

[SnowManSnow]

I think I'm going to go for a rubber maid sump for my 60g cube.

question is this.

Is there a need to build a support structure AROUND the container in order to keep it from bowing? The ones ive filled with water in the past have all bowed considerably.

B

 

[FB]

I think you answered your own question with your own experience.

I don't know other than that.

FB

 

[Anonymous]

It isn't necessary.

The bowing is not a problem with these, as they're made from one-piece construction, so there are no seams to get stressed from the bowing. Don't worry about it.

Have fun,
Jh

 

[Anonymous]

Umm, I would like to respectfully disagree with the last poster.

Rubbermaids are a nice stop-gap sump, but they will most likely not last long term. They are vaccum formed in one piece as he said, but the plastic thins around the sharp corners, etc. They are most definately not intended for long-term storage of water.

This goes double if you light your sump with actinic or high spectrum MH bulbs as the uv light attacks the polysterene plastic.

The bottom line is: Sometimes it lasts a long time, sometimes it doesn't. Which one will yours be?

 

[Anonymous]

I used one for a while. I did not keep a deep level in the sump. I would not use one if the water level in the sump would be high or you were going to have any light on it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

leaning towards a 15g aquarium for sump..

not lots of room in a cube stand for sumps u know

B

 

[Anonymous]

I used a 30 gallon rubber maid container for a sump on my father in law's tanks.

It has lasted two years and looks good as new. It bows a little, but there is only a few inches of water in it...enough for the skimmer to stand in and the for the large return pump that feeds back to two tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes I know.

 

[AF Founder]

I think I'm going to go for a rubber maid sump for my 60g cube.

question is this.

Is there a need to build a support structure AROUND the container in order to keep it from bowing? The ones ive filled with water in the past have all bowed considerably.

B

I have used them in sizes from 300 to 150 gallons and they don't bow at all, but the bulkhead that they come with tends to leak, so replace it or epoxy it from the inside before filling with water. You can see them in my editorials over the last few months.

 

[Anonymous]

#1 rubbermade sump issue, having some uneven bottom, whether or not the rubbermade has little "feet" or you dont put it on a flat surface (a piece of plywood works), any sharp corner/bend will become an issue in the long run. That being said the reason I tend to use rubbermaids for sumps is because the size I need I typically dont have in a tank size that'll actually fit under the tank, and I really don't feel like paying 2-3x the cost of a tank for a custom made deally bob, although with some cheap acrylic you can easily make one (find someone with a large tank that some how got destroyed and see if you can salvage the pieces)

 

[AF Founder]

#1 rubbermade sump issue, having some uneven bottom, whether or not the rubbermade has little "feet" or you dont put it on a flat surface (a piece of plywood works), any sharp corner/bend will become an issue in the long run. That being said the reason I tend to use rubbermaids for sumps is because the size I need I typically dont have in a tank size that'll actually fit under the tank, and I really don't feel like paying 2-3x the cost of a tank for a custom made deally bob, although with some cheap acrylic you can easily make one (find someone with a large tank that some how got destroyed and see if you can salvage the pieces)

Evidently, you guys are not talking about Rubbermaid stock tanks, which run in sizes from 50 to 300 gallons and are built like tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I know I'm not talking about those tanks My dad has a 300g one turned into an outdoor pond, and being as I helped work that yard I can attest to the durability with regards to rough punctures. I think the original poster is talking about Target/Walmart/etc ones, that'll cost you anywhere from $5-$20

 

[Rob Top]

Two ways to prevent the bowing. Use two nested inside eachother, and or use the lid. The bowing happens at the top, the lid will help keep the sides inline.

 

[ReefTiger]

I used to use one, but I switched to a tank because of the flat bottom. Plus, I couldn't get my phosban reactor level with the side. My skimmer wouldn't sit flat, etc. I think it worked well though, as I used it for more than two years.

 

[SnowManSnow]

yea the common man rubber maid containers.. not the industrial strength kryptonite ones..


b

 

[tinyreef]

i thought someone here used nylon flatbed strapping to keep their bowing under control. basically a belt for the tub.

i've used one for years but i keep it half-full (power outage flood control). it still bows a little but i doubt it'll stress break. i'd worry more about in-molded feet. i had a Homz tub stress break/slow leak because its tiny feet really weren't designed to hold up x-gallons of water.

i actually make a 22-gallon tub but it's not the configuration i wanted (it's a round party tub). although it pained me to buy a competitor's product, it's better than dropping c-notes just like sfsu mentioned for a custom sump/tank.

 

[Anonymous]

8O 8O 8O 8O

First of all, I apologize if my information was incorrect. Sorry!

Now, I'm using a container similar to a Rubbermaid (Local version, probably cheaper quality). It's made of food-grade plastic, and would hold about 80 gallons full.

I only have it 2/3 full though, for overflow reasons.

Yes it bulges, but nothing dramatic. It's also made of one piece of plastic. It has no feet and sits flatly on floor. Also, no bulkhead holes are drilled (below waterline).

Should I be worried?