removing center supports on stand

mbowker

mbowker

Member
I have a 150 gallon reef setp. It is an all glass tank and stand. The stand has three small doors, Here is my thought!!! I want to remove the center supports and install a 55 gallon refugium and sump from an all glass 55 gallon aquarium. Can anyone give me a suggestion on how to support the tank while these supports are out, after installing the refugium, i want to replace one support and turn this into a two larger door front. HELP, do you think this feasible:notsure:
This is the stand:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
I take it the tank is on the stand now all full of water, sand, rocks and lifeforms...??
That's gonna be a tough one...Not a lot of "meat" on that unit...
I have the entire front open under my 210, but the top frame and corner supports are a LOT beefier...
You could try removing the center door..adding a support and then removing the other two doors and supports, but looking at the way that stand is constructed....I'd be a little leary...
 
mbowker

mbowker

Member
I probably should build a new stand, that way I can accomodate a 75 gal tank for my 150, and kill two birds with one stone. I just got it all back together from my tank rupturing in the middle of January. I hate to tear it down again. But, I guess it will be better in the long run. Squidd, I think I read in another post yoou figure the fuge to be 30% of the main tank, is this correct?
 
dmc888

dmc888

Member
I actually seen a pic of someone removing it and putting it back in place.
I seen it a long time ago and don't remember where.
Not sure if this is all accurate being i seen this years ago.
I believe he made a u or o shaped support with 2 2x4s together.
He then put wood shims in between to make a tight fit.
Then removed the brace.
Although i would only try this with your tank very low on water.
 
mbowker

mbowker

Member
excellant stand and thanks for the thread it will help. One question for you or any other wood making inclined people. If I want to put solid bi-fold doors on the front,so the entire front will be open for access. what can i use for a top rail in the front of the cabinet to support the tank in the middle. I hope I explained myself right. I sounds right to me but then again its just me, I know what Im trying to say.
Boy, I rambled that one
 
cveverly

cveverly

Member
I way over built mine but I have a 48” open span in the front of my cabinet. I almost went 60” span but I thought it would weaken the corners and it might twist.
Anyway, I used a double 2x8 upper frame and 2x4 vertical braces. You could then wrap the entire frame in thin plywood. I wrapped mine 1x8s running vertically because I already had them.
I use two 29 gallon tanks for my refugium-skimmer sump-return sump. This lets me overflow tank water to the first 29 (where I keep more live sand, anemones and clowns) then u-tube siphon into the next 29 gallon that is partitioned for refugium and return sump. I use the pump that runs my UV light to bypass the refugium so the flow is slower over the refugium.
I sure hope this makes at least a little sense.
BTW, build on site or have real strong friends. :D
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
BTW, build on site or have real strong friends.
Good advice...mine weighs "almost" as much as the tank....:D
But I have a 6' clear span under the 210... It was designed to install a full sized 6' 125 for S/F "under" the main tank...
Here's a pic of the "back" ... showing extra width and length of the stand.. I'll get some "working end" shots and post them a little later...(gotta clean the glass first...:D)
 
todds

todds

Member
Actually anyone who knows anything about glass tanks knows that the only place you need support is under the 4 corners. There are no exceptions. You can cut out the center door supports without any problem. I have been building tanks stands and canopies for about 15 years. If you would like to see that I know what I am talking about check out my site. www.creativebuilderserie.com/html/aquariums.html
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
I agree and that's how I can get full clear front...
But , you need to have lateral and tortional support to maintain rigidty or the stand will collapse...
That's the concern with the AGA stand above...
A "properly designed" unit will withstand the flex and rotational forces, but removing the center stiles on the stand above without reinforcing the diagonal, could lead to trouble..
 
doboy

doboy

Member
Todd,
Do you use Coronado Precat Lacquer? I have been using that stuff for a lot of furniture pieces, but I was afraid that the water would hurt the finish.
That stuff sprays like magic!
Jim
 
todds

todds

Member
Yea Jim It's moisture and alcohol resistant. I do however use at least 5 coats so everything is sealed well. And Squidd not to step on your toe but because the ends have 1x6 front and back corners there is plenty of lateral support, it kind of works on the same idea as an angle iron the one side by itself bends fairly easy but put the two togeather and it is very strong. The center supports do little but give you something to hang your doors on.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Which would be fine if they were rabited in and actually "added" some strength... either in a down load or a side shear...
But look carefully at the lap construction and tell me if you'd feel safe putting 1500 lbs on there...:thinking:
 
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