125 Stand build

[murfman]

Here are some images of the stand I am building. It is being done in phases. Phase I is building the rough stand so that I can move the tank downstairs. Once that is done, phase II will be to build the extension on the left side so I have a work area for fragging and setting a 5 gallon bucket during water changes. Phase III will be to finish it off with doors and siding.

The bottom of the frame. 72 3/4" X 18 3/4" Used 2 x 4s.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...rrent=100_0403.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch12

Corner joints. I cut each side and the front/rear 1 1/2" deep (thickness of the 2 x 4) and 1 3/4 wide ( 1/2 of the width of the 2 x 4) so that they interlock with each other. This keep the weight evenly distributed on the corners and not just on the front/rear pieces. I used Gorilla glue and 3" zinc deck screws.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...rrent=100_0404.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch11

The centers supports were ripped 5/8" on the table saw so that I could lay 5/8" plywood in the opening for the bottom. The center supports are 15 3/4 wide.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...rrent=100_0405.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch10

Finished bottom.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0406.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch9

Top portion of the stand.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0407.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch8

Close up of sides of stand. The reason they are not equidistant is that the wider opening is for the plumbing on the returns.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0408.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch7

The pocket hole jig. This tool is amazing. You clamp it 1 1/4" from the end of the 2 x 4 and it cuts nice holes for you to set your square drive screws that are 3 1/2" long. Notice the collar on the drill bit.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch6

Pocket holes

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch5

Pocket holes with screws in. The board was Gorilla glued as well, no need for clamps now!

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch4

Stand from rear. Notice one 2 x 4 is missing on the front. There is no center, verticle post. I set the two end posts 16 1/2" from the very end. These will act as door posts. The current stand has doors that are 40" wide, same as this stand. It too, does not have a center, verticle post.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

Quarter view of stand.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2
Right side view from end.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0409.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1

I will post more as I get further along with the build

 

[normanviking]

Looks very good Paul

 

[CastleRock]

Looks great Paul

 

[calvin415]

Dang Paul, you've been busy!!! Looks great!

 

[murfman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8357092#post8357092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415
Dang Paul, you've been busy!!! Looks great!

Once I got the pocket hole jig, it took me less than an hour to get the vertical supports and top on.

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8357109#post8357109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murfman
Once I got the pocket hole jig, it took me less than an hour to get the vertical supports and top on.

I guess that's the next toy I need to get.

 

[murfman]

You can borrow mine, any time you need it.

 

[calvin415]

Sweet! Thanks Paul!

 

[Peterock]

how tall is the actual stand

 

[murfman]

Update: Stand frame is built except for the bucket addition, still debating on that. Next up is to drain the tank and drill the glass for the closed loop manifold. Will be going with 3 inlet and 3 returns. Each is 1" and the returns will be necked down to 3/4" and have lock lines on them.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0447.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0446.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...rent=100_0445-1.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

 

[calvin415]

Dude!!! That looks great! Do you have a move date planned yet?

 

[normanviking]

Good work Paul

 

[murfman]

Finishing the stand.

Finishing the stand.

Here are the pix of the finished stand, as it is now; I "skinned" the frame with a 1 x 6" facia board along the top. It is slightly above the bottom of the tank edge giving it a lip to seat up against.

Top Facia;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Topfacia.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

The bottom is 1 x 4" nailed to the frame. since the concrete floor is uneven, the stand was shimmed to get the tank as close to level as possible. The bottom facia appears to be off the ground but that is because of the uneven floor. The facia is infact totally level.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Topandbottomfacia.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[murfman]

Phase II

Here is the "fragging stand" that I built on the left side of the tank/main stand. It is made from 2 x 2 rough framing and skinned with 1 x 4 that has been ripped down to 3". The dimensions are 12" X 12". (4 of the 3" boards make the cover) It has a door on the inside next to the main tank for storage and the back is open into the main stand for added air space. The top is a 12" x 12" tile glued using clear silicon sealant. The top edge of the facia board is even with the top of the tile. The tile is supported on a 5/8" 12 x 12 piece of plywood.

Rough in;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/leftsideextension.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Frag stand front;

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Frontfragstand.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Finished left side;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/leftside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Door open;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/workingstanddooropen.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Door closed;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Workingstanddoorclosed.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Tile top;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Tiletop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[murfman]

Phase III

All boards were routed using a round over bit and sanded smooth with a finishing sander and 180 grit, then 220 grit, before staining;

Round over bit;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/roundoverbit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

unfinished door plank;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Sandedroundover.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

All boards were finished the same way, regardless of being a door plank or skin plank. Here are some door planks getting ready for stain;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Leftdoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Stained planks;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/stainedleftdoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Right side with door;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Rightsidefinished.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Right side corner;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/Rightsidecorner.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Left quarter view of the whole tank;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/leftquarterview.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

The doors were a challenge. Because of the routed edges, hinges did not fit well so I chose to rip the boards down the center. This also allowed me to cut the board to size so that it would fit in the opening. The opening for the doors was 39 7/8" in width. I could have ripped each board approximately 1/8" but that would be a lot of extra work and increase the chances of making a mistake. I ripped the hinge boards to a width of 2 1/2", 1" less than the normal 3 1/2" width. I did not rout that side so that the boards lined up straight with each other, on the door.

door hinge;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/hingeseam.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

door hinge open;
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/Co_murfman/Stand/hingeseamopen.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

The stain for the left side door is drying as I post this. Everything was covered with two coats of polycrylic, water based sealant, with sandings using 220 between coats. I like this sealant as it cleans up real easy and can be handled within 30 minutes. All board were nailed to the frame using 1 1/4" nails from a nail gun.

 

[normanviking]

Looks good Paul. Love the fraggin table and the snow globe. lol

 

[Crit21]

You've been busy. It really looks great.

When I saw the tank on the bare frame I wondered about the stability of the stand, particularly since all vertical supports were lined up lengthwise along the stand. Mine is constructed similarly so that I can slide my sump out the end between the upright boards. As a result, even with screws, urethane glue and Simpson metal framing brackets, it rocked a bit front-to-back until I finally mounted the plywood on both ends of the stand to stiffen it up. Did you notice any instability before you put the outer boards over the ends?

 

[murfman]

No instability, I placed 2 x 4s horizontally between the verticle boards

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...urrent=100_0446.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2

and here. These are just from the front but the sides have them too.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/...rent=100_0445-1.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

 

[Mustang394]

Looks like you running a SEIO in your tank is your closed loop not provided enough flow? BTW love that Rose BTA..

 

[murfman]

Thanks, Keith! Yes I am running a SEIO, to give my SPS some more flow. The center section goes over the top and come out at the front of the tank. Wasn't quite giving me the flow I wanted on the SPS so I added the SEIO.