Custom stand and canopy for a bow front tank

southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Has anyone built a custom stand and canopy for a bow front tank? If so do you have links to your build? Photos?
I am looking for a larger tank and I may be able to get my hands on either a 72g or 75g (not sure) bowfront tank. I want to do a custom cabinet for it but not really sure how to work around the bow.
Any help would be appreciated. I would love for the bow to be sticking out of the cabinet work and have the stand conform to the bow. Next problem I see is building the stand so I could get a sump under it at a later date.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I personally haven't built one, but don't think it would be bad if your into DIYing......Getting a sump inside with the tank in place wouldn't be bad if the back of the stand was open. Are you talking about having the tank up and running and adding a sump at a later date?
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Yeah... that's what I was thinking. BUT I was also thinking about maybe having to remove it for some reason at a later date with a tank that has been up and running for a while. Id hate to have to tear down the tank just to get it out if I needed to.
Any ideas on how to fabricate the bow section of the stand?
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387995/custom-stand-and-canopy-for-a-bow-front-tank#post_3419079
Yeah... that's what I was thinking. BUT I was also thinking about maybe having to remove it for some reason at a later date with a tank that has been up and running for a while. Id hate to have to tear down the tank just to get it out if I needed to.
Any ideas on how to fabricate the bow section of the stand?
If this were me... I would do a rectangular stand. It would not be a perfect fit but it would be a lot easier to build IMO. I don't think that it would look too bad to have a little extra stand showing (you of course would need a top on the cabinet for the tank to sit on) as long as you stain and trim it.
Then you would just need to worry about the canopy matching the bow. I know this is not what you were looking for but I think it would make it way easier. Just a thought!!
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
It would definitely make it easier. Of course if Im going for a stand with square corners then I might as well just buy a 75 or 90 gal tank to set on it. **shrug**
I think thats one of the reasons I really liked my 52g and this bow front... its not just a square tank.
Life was simplier when I wasnt contemplating a salt tank. LOL
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Image search for some diy bowfront stands and canopies. That should help give you some ideas. Sump wise you could always go with a two tank sump/fuge set up. It's typically a lot easier to get two smaller tanks under a stand then one large one.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387995/custom-stand-and-canopy-for-a-bow-front-tank#post_3419090
It would definitely make it easier. Of course if Im going for a stand with square corners then I might as well just buy a 75 or 90 gal tank to set on it. **shrug**
I think that's one of the reasons I really liked my 52g and this bow front... its not just a square tank.
Life was simplier when I wasnt contemplating a salt tank. LOL
You can still do the bigger bow front. The stand will not be that out of place. Plus when it comes down to it, I think that the rectangular stand would provide more support. You might just have about 3-4" of the stand showing in the corners and nothing showing in the middle. Plus when the tank has lights on you will not even notice the overlap of the stand. IF, a bow front is what you want I don't see a reason not to do it. That's if you want to do a DIY. I am sure you can find a manufactured bow front stand that matches the shape of the tank. And It very well might be cheaper then making your own stand (DIY stands are not that cheap, you have the cost of materials+ paint and stain in addition to the opportunity cost {your time that it takes to make the thing}).
S. Wolf I will send you a PM with something.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/387995/custom-stand-and-canopy-for-a-bow-front-tank#post_3419106
You can still do the bigger bow front. The stand will not be that out of place. Plus when it comes down to it, I think that the rectangular stand would provide more support. You might just have about 3-4" of the stand showing in the corners and nothing showing in the middle. Plus when the tank has lights on you will not even notice the overlap of the stand. IF, a bow front is what you want I don't see a reason not to do it. That's if you want to do a DIY. I am sure you can find a manufactured bow front stand that matches the shape of the tank. And It very well might be cheaper then making your own stand (DIY stands are not that cheap, you have the cost of materials+ paint and stain in addition to the opportunity cost {your time that it takes to make the thing}).
S. Wolf I will send you a PM with something.
Thanks for the PM. I'm all about making this a DIY. With a bit more experience under my belt I plan on building all my living room tables and an entertainment center. When I get done all my living room furnature will match.
Think I may try my hand at a few wood bending techniques. I have a little knowledge on the subject but never actually tried it. This could be fun.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/387995/custom-stand-and-canopy-for-a-bow-front-tank#post_3419102
Image search for some diy bowfront stands and canopies. That should help give you some ideas. Sump wise you could always go with a two tank sump/fuge set up. It's typically a lot easier to get two smaller tanks under a stand then one large one.
Wouldn't running two sumps mean running more pumps? Thus more electricity and heat generated?
I'm still trying to learn about sumps/fuges so I dont really know how that would work.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387995/custom-stand-and-canopy-for-a-bow-front-tank#post_3419117
Wouldn't running two sumps mean running more pumps? Thus more electricity and heat generated?
I'm still trying to learn about sumps/fuges so I dont really know how that would work.
No problem. It's pretty simple in it's design and how it works. You have two tanks, usually one has a skimmer chamber and a return chamber...the other tank is typically a refugium. One tank is either taller or raised up and drilled with some plumbing that drains into the other tank. The drain line from the main tank is split and feeds both tanks with water. One return pump.
Here's a sketch of the idea...

Here's another member's set up (Sparty). Same design as above just flipped around.

Here's one that Shawn made for a member here (Flower)...same type of set up.

Unfortunately the sump and refugium tank was damaged during shipping and he had to remake the sump tank and Al re-made the refugium tank.
 
ghiggi

ghiggi

Member
Wolf,
I just got a new bowfront stand for my 155g and will be building a custom canopy to match. I don't have time right now to draw anything up. I'll try and post some drawings and directions this weekend, but won't be starting my build for a few months probably. Just looking at the stand, it should be a pretty easy build if you have atleast half-way decent woodworking skills.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
well im not carpenter believe me lol...but u can do relief cuts on the bow part to try and bend the wood. Ive also heard of soaking the wood to soften it up and than placing it over something round so when it dries it is that shape. How well those options work
i have no idea lol...
 
ghiggi

ghiggi

Member
This is a generic picture of my 155g tank and stand:

The stand is made of all pine wood. The top and bottom frames are made from 2x3's and the slats are 1x6's

The top frame is made of 5 pieces; the back piece, the 2 side pieces, the center brace and the front bow piece.

The bow piece is made by gluing pieces of 2x3's together and then cutting a bow out of them.

The bottom frame is the same as the top, minus the center brace.
Each side of the stand, being symetrical, uses 9 slats; 3 in the front, 3 on the end and 3 in the back; as seen in the photo:

The slats are rabbetted on both ends and then nailed to the top and bottom frame:

The 2 center supports are 1x3's rabbetted and attached just like the slats.

The top frame center brace is rabbetted to accomodate the center supports:

This isn't a complete tutorial by any means, but hopefully it gives you enough to get the ideas going.
 
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