Opinions wanted, stand build

[Erokster73]

This is going to be for a 60 cube, I know it is bigger then needed but like have a larger then needed sump and room to move.

If you have experience on building a stand what would you add or modify. The cross braces are going to be under sides of the aquarium. I plan to put 3/4" birch on top and a 1/2" for floor of the sump section.

Would you add uprights under the cross braces on each end?

 

[theMeat]

Yes
And looks good
Would put another cross brace under the tank cross braces in the opposite direction. IE from front left side leg to front right side leg. Same thing on the back.
Would also put uprights in corners in between the bottom and top 2x4s. Similar to what would be called a king stud in framing lingo

 

[Ross]

Totally solid. I’m assuming you’ll have plywood on the left and right sides?

 

[ScottJ]

Looks beefy enough. Uprights under the cross braces wouldn't hurt. what are you going to skin it with?

 

[Erokster73]

Thanks for feedback. Plan is plywood in back wall but for me half the hobby is the filtration, that's where we put the work. So my thoughts on side and front walls was a tinted plexiglass held on by magnets so I can put lights under it and when they are on Ithe filtration is visible.

I want the filtration to be part of the display.

I will be transferring my 54 corner into this one. I have a pile of new stuff in boxes waiting to be installed. Once the stand is done I will start a tank build thread.

 

[ScottJ]

Thanks for feedback. Plan is plywood in back wall but for me half the hobby is the filtration, that's where we put the work. So my thoughts on side and front walls was a tinted plexiglass held on by magnets so I can put lights under it and when they are on Ithe filtration is visible.

I want the filtration to be part of the display.

I will be transferring my 54 corner into this one. I have a pile of new stuff in boxes waiting to be installed. Once the stand is done I will start a tank build thread.

Love the pexiglass idea, and the lights, GENIUS!

My sump sits outside the stand. Long story short, I built the stand for the 55 gallon tank as a freshwater setup, never thinking I would want to convert to a reef. I kind of like the exposed sump.

 

[Erokster73]

Sump fits with plenty of room and space for reaching as well as dosing and other good stuff. Plenty of light space too. I will be adding a middle brace to front and back after I router and fasten the floor in prior to fastening the top.

Again this is for a 60 cube maybe overkill but I like space and can't stand how crammed jumps look.

 

[Erokster73]

Thinking outloud, I may add a 2×4 tray to bottom and figure out how to waterproof it incase of leaks.

 

[theMeat]

There’s this paint like stuff that’s called “redgard” used for waterproofing. Highly recommend it

 

[Erokster73]

There’s this paint like stuff that’s called “redgard” used for waterproofing. Highly recommend it

I will look into this thx

 

[Erokster73]

Stand needs calk, sealing, painting i know. Still roughing stuff in.

Now to the no going back stuff. Plumbing....

I am going with a dual drain so my return needs to come outside the tank. I am fine with this if I make it look clean. Skimmer is old one for reference my new one is in old sump being used right now.

I need to find dosing canisters that fit next to or infront of the sump, I will build a shelf for the doses.

Then I need to also research tonight what power strip(s) I want to get. And what light to mount under there for working

 

[ScottJ]

That's going to look great!

 

[tbaum101]

This is going to be for a 60 cube, I know it is bigger then needed but like have a larger then needed sump and room to move.

If you have experience on building a stand what would you add or modify. The cross braces are going to be under sides of the aquarium. I plan to put 3/4" birch on top and a 1/2" for floor of the sump section.

Would you add uprights under the cross braces on each end?

Agree with others...one more crossbrace on top...and probably bottom. That with the coming plywood and it'll be rock solid. Nice work!

 

[Solo McReefer]

That's a rectangle stand

Not a cube stand

I would use 8020 aluminum and not 2x4s. If 8020 didn't exist, I would use steel

 

[tbaum101]

That's a rectangle stand

Not a cube stand

I would use 8020 aluminum and not 2x4s. If 8020 didn't exist, I would use steel

I've thought of aluminum but I don't have a welder for it. Don't you need a TIG for that?

 

[Solo McReefer]

8020 aluminum bolts together like an erector set

Uses nuts and bolts, and brackets and gussets

Tidal Gardens has a couple of videos on their stands

They used AlumFab to make theirs. But it's also available so you can make you own



Stands

Shop Aquarium Stands Online | Extruded Aluminum Stands

AluFab offers customized t-slotted aluminum extrusion-based aquarium stand kits for glass, acrylic aquarium fish tanks. FREE SHIPPING.

www.alufabinc.com

 

[tbaum101]

8020 aluminum bolts together like an erector set

Uses nuts and bolts, and brackets and gussets

Tidal Gardens has a couple of videos on their stands

They used AlumFab to make theirs. But it's also available so you can make you own



Stands

Shop Aquarium Stands Online | Extruded Aluminum Stands

AluFab offers customized t-slotted aluminum extrusion-based aquarium stand kits for glass, acrylic aquarium fish tanks. FREE SHIPPING.

www.alufabinc.com

Well Hell's Bells. That's freaking cool! I'm BIG DIY Guy. Whenever I get into something I always look for ways of making what I'm into. Just a matter of time before I build a tank. Lol