280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

token - That looks great and is just what I meant by "Framed". I think I'll go further and frame in the back and sides (garage side) and add doors. This will give me a little storage area and it would look nice. I had the opportunity to check out our LFS today and see how they build their stands. This is right in the ball park and will hold up nicely.

Thank you for taking the time to explain and draw out your design - pictures are worth a thousand words - always with me!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243129#post10243129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist

Thank you for taking the time to explain and draw out your design - pictures are worth a thousand words - always with me! [/B]
Click to expand...
:D That's why I'm always saying "DUH" until you draw me a picture!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243129#post10243129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
Thank you for taking the time to explain and draw out your design - pictures are worth a thousand words - always with me!
Click to expand...
Honestly, it's nice to be able to help; I have learned so much on this board that I am happy to help with a quick drawing. And I am more than confident that this will yield very satisfactory long-term results, especially if coated well and fully after construction.

"Build a stand" is about as much as I am sure I know how to do with this hobby.... When it comes to anything else, I am not nearly as good with the help. ;)
 
Hey Carol, Do you have a plan to notch out those 4x6's. I may be hard to get a nice square mounting surface. You might want to do what checkinhawk did on his stand corners. They should be plenty strong glued and screwed.
 
Yes I did went to notch the corners out. I have a VERY nice band saw that is made for this type of work. It will cut 10" thick wood and of course using one piece is much stronger than glueing/screwing them together and easier if you have the right tools. I from the start had disigned the stand this way - notch and not put lots of 2x6's and 2x4's together for the legs. I know lots of people do it that way and it holds up but I have the proper tools to give a very nice surface - that's way you buy these cool tools :D.

On the inside it will give it another area to attach to the 2x6 which again will give it more strength. Thanks for the suggestion and I did see a few others with larger tanks (240+) doing it that way - but by far more seem to use either 4x4's or 4x6's for the legs.
 
ReefArtist,

You are right, notching the 4X6 using the right tools would be stronger then trying to attach a bunch of pieces together. Putting the facing like Token depicted would prevent things from going out fo square. As you plan on using six legs, I don't feel that 4X6s would be required especially in the middle. I would place the a 4X6 in each corner, using the notches to place it fully under each corner of the top frame, then put a notched 4X4 in the middle of each side.

Other then that, it looks like the design is coming together nicely
 
Just wanted to give everyone a little update on the build. A friend of mine and his son came over to give me a hand. We had a great time and finished framing out the stand. This weekend or the beginning of next week I'll get the legs and the bottom framing finished and then take a few photos.

We also were able to get me 65g tank moved to a different wall which was about 7 - 10 feet away. We just drained the sump/refuge completely and drained the main tank down to less than 1/2. I removed some of my large colonies and one large rock that I knew would fall. I moved some of my corals to the bottom of the tank - just in case. We then very carefully moved it in a zig-zag fashion. That was a job I was really afraid of - my friend Stephen made it look easy! Thank you Stephen and Austin, I don't know what I would have done without your help - thank you!
 
Well I thought it was time for a little update. Here is the frame Boydx6, his son and I built.

1322231_Frame.JPG

Frame

1322232_Leg_Cutting.JPG

I've been using the band saw to cut the legs to size - so far it has worked great.

1322233_KregSystem.JPG

This is the tool I alway use to make pocket holes to screw at an angle. This is the portable part of the system.

1322234_GarageSideStand.JPG

This is the garage side of the stand - this is not finished - need to added framing to prevent splaying.

1322235_LivingRoomSide.JPG

This is the living room side and same as above it's not finished and I'll be adding the framing to prevent splaying tomorrow.
 
Thanks Token, I have a lot to do to make it stable for a tank but this is a good start. This weekend I'll be picking up my tank so I wanted to get a good jump on it. Once I put the frame through the wall it was a rush to get it closed up because of the heat from the garage going into the house. It does look awesome - thanks again for all your help!
 
OK - I just finished the garage portion of the stand. I just used PT 4x6's that were left over from the legs. I'll still cover this up with nice plywood and add either two or four doors then seal and paint. This will be just a little storage area for me and of course plumbing for the tank (output/returns). here is what it looks like - please let me know what you think - the good and bad!

132223GarageSideStand_Finished.JPG
 
Hey RocketEngineer - thanks, that was my intent:D. Can we say category 5 hurricane - I figured we could just strap ourselves to it and let it pass LOL!

Mike - the pocket system is Kreg and I got it here locally from a place called Jim&Slims. I purchased it first for a bookshelves (Wall unit) I was building - now I use it for everything. This would really come in handy for your cabinet/stand. Lowes/Home Depot don't carry it at all.
 
I think it really looks solid. Skinned with plywood it will also be quite handsome... ;)

Very nice work, RA!
 
Thank you Token and yes I can't wait to get it skinned, painted and the tank in place. Speaking of the tank, I'll be traveling to Orlando on Friday and just got the word from GlassCages that I can pick the tank up between 10 and 2 on Saturday (Also in Orlando). I'm hoping to get the tank on the stand on the 21st of July!
 
Well I'm off to Orlando for a weekend of reefing. Hopefully I'll come back with a 280g tank! Next week I'll be firming up the stand and then putting the tank in its proper place.
 
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