125gal Stand Plans

jrp1588

jrp1588

New member
I have a standard 6' 125gal gal tank in the garage that I plan to set up after I move in a few months. I figure now is a good time to start thinking about stand design. I've built my own canopy before, and it came out well, but since the stand is so much more critical, I'd like some tried and true plans with thorough instructions and photos.

Google is failing me, can anyone point me in the right direction? I'd like something simple to build, yet attractive and strong.

Any tips on ensuring a straight, level top so the whole thing doesn't explode on me?
 
Five sections of plywood properly joined at the corners are the strongest. Cut out the center of the panels for access doors to maintain continuous support around the openings.

Another common option is to make it out of 1X or 2X boards. The 2X is the most common but its also the most likely to have issues as the wood is rarely of sufficient quality. 1X built the same way is another option but takes a little more designing to ensure proper strength for the wood choices and various spans involved.
 
RocketEngineer said:
rickztahone, I find it highly amusing that you link to a different website that links back to the thread I started years ago.

DIY Stand Template THhread

Post Split, Still Active Thread.

jrp1588, the folks that want to learn something instead of just being told.
Click to expand...

The diffrence is that you are linking to a forum post while I am linking to a webpage that specifically deals with what OP was looking for. Some people find it easier to understand something that is depicted specifically for what they are looking for, rather than search a post for it. Whether you find it amusing is not is beyond my own humor, but, at least you are amused.
 
The plans were really not that difficult, IMHO. But the end product looked high class. If you search ebay for his name or go to his store he has a less ornate plan too.

That being said I still ended up getting one made for me as I purchased the plans, and let 2 years go buy and still had no stand.....


But that has more to do with having 2 boys playing sports and as such have zero free time to build anything. It took me a week to plumb my aquarium....
 
rickztahone said:
The diffrence is that you are linking to a forum post while I am linking to a webpage that specifically deals with what OP was looking for. Some people find it easier to understand something that is depicted specifically for what they are looking for, rather than search a post for it. Whether you find it amusing is not is beyond my own humor, but, at least you are amused.
Click to expand...

I can understand that its hard to find the information in a thread considering most of it gets buried in the thread. :beer: That's why I did the write up and reposed it on the first page of the new thread. No need to slog through the dozens of pages, just go to the first page and read.

My amusement is that so many people now call it the Rocket or RocketEngineer stand design when it isn't mine :spin1:. I did nothing more than combine the information in one place and provide the formulas. I did almost no work but get all this credit. :spin3:.
 
RocketEngineer said:
I can understand that its hard to find the information in a thread considering most of it gets buried in the thread. :beer: That's why I did the write up and reposed it on the first page of the new thread. No need to slog through the dozens of pages, just go to the first page and read.

My amusement is that so many people now call it the Rocket or RocketEngineer stand design when it isn't mine :spin1:. I did nothing more than combine the information in one place and provide the formulas. I did almost no work but get all this credit. :spin3:.
Click to expand...

My apologies, but in light of that new information, I see why it is amusing. Another reason I linked to that webpage is due to the fact that at work I can not see pictures on forum posts. On that webpage, there are a lot of pics that help depict the project. That was all.
 
rickztahone said:
My apologies, but in light of that new information, I see why it is amusing. Another reason I linked to that webpage is due to the fact that at work I can not see pictures on forum posts. On that webpage, there are a lot of pics that help depict the project. That was all.
Click to expand...

Apology accepted. :wave: I learned a long time ago not to take text online too seriously. Lots gets missed on both sides of the screen.

I never thought about the website vs forum issue for viewing pictures.
 
RocketEngineer said:
My amusement is that so many people now call it the Rocket or RocketEngineer stand design when it isn't mine :spin1:. I did nothing more than combine the information in one place and provide the formulas. I did almost no work but get all this credit. :spin3:.
Click to expand...

That is how published research works!
And thank you.
 
The problem I have with them is they are only 30" tall. With most skimmers being 25"+ you run a serious risk of not being able to get the skimmer out for cleaning which can be a major issue over time. My stand is 36" and I have to thread my full skimmer cup around equipment to get it free for emptying and cleaning. To me cost isn't the driver, its appearance and function.
 
Hmm, solid point. I plan on getting an Aquamaxx CO-2, which is a hair over 22" tall. I think I'd be fine with that skimmer, but who knows what I might want down the line. Do you have a ballpark guess of what it might cost me to build my own 72" stand at 36" tall? Cost is a driver for me, I'm 26 and far from wealthy.
 
If I were to build it on the cheap, I would go with plywood sides and top. The front and back would each require a full sheet while the top and ends could all be made from the same sheet given that you only have an 18" wide tank. So 3 sheets of 3/4" plywood at ~$50 each would put you around $150 for the plywood. Figure another $50-100 in hardware and other pieces.

That's for a very plain design with minimal trim. Everything beyond that, including a bottom to the stand, adds to the cost.
 
RocketEngineer said:
The problem I have with them is they are only 30" tall. With most skimmers being 25"+ you run a serious risk of not being able to get the skimmer out for cleaning which can be a major issue over time. My stand is 36" and I have to thread my full skimmer cup around equipment to get it free for emptying and cleaning. To me cost isn't the driver, its appearance and function.
Click to expand...
I that that very same issue. I bought one of the stands F&S sells and ended up having to send it back which they covered in the name of good customer service.
 
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