Tank stand

[xoxox]

Originally Posted by sonicboom1
Oh I thought you guyes werent using screws at all..
So you screw together the support with wood screws, screw the 2x4 upright beams in, then do you lay more 2x4 up top all the way around with a piece of plywood ontop?

I used [dia 8] 2 1/2 inch wood screws and filled the gaps with liquid nails (heavy duty).
The liquid nails make it a very solid stand. I didn't want to go any longer with the screws so they would come out the backs and possible crack the wood. As it is, you MUST drive pilot holes or you will crack the wood. I still have to add the top but for the face I am using 3/4 inch oak plywood cut out for the doors and recessed. It gives a bit of support for the front plus I can use molding around the top and bottom. I'm at the door finishing and painting stage. I still need to do some sanding but I don't think you ever stop sanding until your done, at least thats what it seems like. The top will be the last thing I put on since I need to check for level where it will be and thats gonna be a trial and error thing.
I would just like to make one rant: the hardware stores (Lowes, Home Depot) SUCK for wood!!! You must search huge piles in order to find wood that at least is CLOSE to straight. Every piece of wood they have is warped!

 

[sonicboom1]

does the top 2x4 ring lay ontop of upright 2x4? or is the top ring part just nailed together..im guessing it sits up on some uprights to hold weight?

 

[robchuck]

Originally Posted by XoXoX
I would just like to make one rant: the hardware stores (Lowes, Home Depot) SUCK for wood!!! You must search huge piles in order to find wood that at least is CLOSE to straight. Every piece of wood they have is warped!
No doubt!
I probably spent more time hunting through the wood piles at HD and Menards trying to find CLOSE TO STRAIGHT wood than I did actually building the stand.

 

[i<3fish]

Havent replied to this thread in awhile, but I am building my stand very soon. It is for a 240g. Now I am wondering if I will need 4 2x4's going upright or can I get away with 3 like SOU812's stand? Thanks

 

[deeze]

This is my custom stand. Easy (but hard) to build. It stands about 41 inches which makes for a more comfortable viewing height as well as tons of room below. Used 6 inch lag bolts in key areas as well as marine plywood on top. 50 Gallon sump and externally plumed Aqua-C 240 and about 10 million other things. Built for a 60x24x24 acrylic (150 gallon).

Completed stand - - Rockwork is in a pretty lame phase in this pic... just getting things soaking. You can also see the hole in the side of the hood for the ReefKeeper computer.

 

[agent707]

Superb job deeze

 

[agent707]

This stand could probably hold 800 gallons worth of fish tank weight (like 4 tons).

My God! I guess overkill is better than... underkill?

 

[deeze]

yea... I was in overkill mode with mine too. After seeing my brothers glass tank do about $10,000 in damage when his split. baddd

 

[deeze]

yea... I was in overkill mode with mine too. After seeing my brothers glass tank do about $10,000 in damage when his split. baddd

 

[xoxox]

Originally Posted by Agent707
This stand could probably hold 800 gallons worth of fish tank weight (like 4 tons).
My God! I guess overkill is better than... underkill?

Once my fat sister climbs on board that baby will have 4 tons ridin the waves..

This is what it looks like now but I'm still working on getting the tank together for it.
New RO unit and DIY skimmer, more lights and now to baffle the 55 sump, slow but sure.

 

[agent707]

Heeeeey NICE! That's a Very nice looking stand. Great job!
Love the star fish knobs!

 

[deeze]

Hey XOXOX... your tank looks like the tank I got from acrylictnk.

 

[xoxox]

Originally Posted by deeze
Hey XOXOX... your tank looks like the tank I got from acrylictnk.
Yep, same dealer, his acrylic tanks are excellent, the seams are flawless.
If I were to buy this at my local LFS it would be without-a-doubt $200-$300 more than
what I paid shipped. Its gonna look awesome once I get it up and running (pics will come).
Thanks Agent707

 

[bigben]

I am building my first stand and had the same reluctance with the strength of some I have seen on these threads. I decided to forget about wood for support. My entire weight bearing frame is made up of steel (1 & 1/2" square tubing with 1/8" steel walls). It is in process now and getting heavier every day. For the cosmetics, I am using heavy duty magnets to attach cabinet grade lumber w/ moldings, so that I can completely remove all the sides of the stand whenever I need to. I will have complete access to my sump/fuge setup by simply breaking the magnetic connnection. Overkill seemed like a good idea to me at the start of the project but, my setup is getting so heavy that I am concerned about the floor it will all sit on. I am going to change locations from over my basement to over a slab. I will be posting pictures of the progression soon.
Ben
P.S. I am an amatuer at all of this so, I may not know what I am talking about.

 

[xoxox]

Tank is cycling Pics.
Need to add canopy and PCs but getting there.

 

[phixer]

Thats really a nice looking set up especially the lighting and rock configuration.
Where did you get the tank made? I should start taking pictures of the tanks and stands Ive made. Would like to do it as a small business someday, right now Im researching a bow front design and drawing plans for the jig to shape the acrylic.
The tanks looks nice.

 

[phixer]

Originally Posted by BigBen
I am building my first stand and had the same reluctance with the strength of some I have seen on these threads. I decided to forget about wood for support. My entire weight bearing frame is made up of steel (1 & 1/2" square tubing with 1/8" steel walls). It is in process now and getting heavier every day. For the cosmetics, I am using heavy duty magnets to attach cabinet grade lumber w/ moldings, so that I can completely remove all the sides of the stand whenever I need to. I will have complete access to my sump/fuge setup by simply breaking the magnetic connnection. Overkill seemed like a good idea to me at the start of the project but, my setup is getting so heavy that I am concerned about the floor it will all sit on. I am going to change locations from over my basement to over a slab. I will be posting pictures of the progression soon.
Ben
P.S. I am an amatuer at all of this so, I may not know what I am talking about.

Ben is this going into a basement on a concrete slab?

 

[xoxox]

Originally Posted by Phixer
Thats really a nice looking set up especially the lighting and rock configuration.
Where did you get the tank made? I should start taking pictures of the tanks and stands Ive made. Would like to do it as a small business someday, right now Im researching a bow front design and drawing plans for the jig to shape the acrylic.
The tanks looks nice.

Acrylic Creations.
Its a really nice tank, seams are flawless.
One thing i noticed is that with Acrylic tanks you really need a chiller, especially if you have any submersable pumps.