Is is safe to cut a hole in the side of a stand with a running tank ontop so i can slide a sump in there? the sump is the same length as the tank itself and can not fit any other way.

Its hard to answer this question without actually seeing the stand and seeing how sturdy it is and what type of bracing it has but i would have to say if the sump is 12 inches deep and your stand is below 20 inches deep i would question weather or not to cut that big of a hole. If i had to suggest something i would suggest build bracing on the side of the tank to take some of the load off (assuming it has a nice strong base) but i am a freak when it comes to stands. lol what is the dept of the tank and the dept of the stand?

the stand is about 30 inches tall and 16 inches wide. the tank i want to put in is 16 inches tall and 10 inches wide. the opening for the doors is 14.5 in x 22 in.
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well from my dimensions, is there some other tank or container i could put in just through the doors?

I dont know, Thats a tuff one. I would of cut it with no problem without the tank sitting on top of it but its hard to say with the tank there. If you really want to cut it which i would probably go threw with it is take the shelf out and cut it down about 2 inches. then i would take temp 2x4's and place them verticaly under the tank in the stand to help take the load off. Now once that is complete i would build a wood frame out of 2x4's and place them on the side you want to cut. The frame would be up the back and up the front. But try and make the 2x4's tight enuff where you would need a hammer to lightly tap them into place and then screw them into place. Also either treat the wood or buy treated. Then mark out where you want to cut and cut.

But there is alot to look at here.

1. Is the shelf helping the sturdiness of the tank?

2. Do you want to put this much work in it?

3. Will the wood start splitting or cracking while you are cutting it?


Its really a hard chore and it would take a full day to do...


I guess you could always just place two seperate containers or tanks in the bottom and plumb them together. which would be a nice little DIY project as well.


I wish i could help you more.. Could you set a tank next to it or maybe behind it?

thanks a lot. well i got the idea from Melevsreef.com - Install a Sump in an Existing Setup (http://www.melevsreef.com/install_sump.html) and thought it looked pretty simple. but i guess i could try for 2 tanks, its just that i have this tank sitting around and i guess i could put it behind, but then i thought it might be sorta hard to access it back there. o well i guess i will just have to think it over

o and the shelf is removable and doenst help the thing at all

I would say go for it ( but dont come looking for me :)) lol if im not mistaken didnt marc use temp supports and cut the front?

I would suggest taking the shelf out and build a temp brace and cut the hole.. It is possible and i didnt want to turn you from the idea i just wanted to let you know what i would be worried about.. :)