4' x 4' x 2' build

[aquasport24]

Just take a look at others stand building thread and you see what i meant..I think a gallon of water weigh about 6-7 pounds and i beleive that tank is 800 litters which is around 2000 pounds..It may be ok for today but better safe then sorry...

 

[ricks]

Saltwater weighs 8.6# per gallon. Not counting the tank and addition rock weight...

 

[leoskee]

Nice set up. It could really use some live rock to give it the final touch.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11613368#post11613368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leoskee
Nice set up. It could really use some live rock to give it the final touch.

Thanks, I will be adding some more LR to increase biodiversity, but I do intend to keep the open aquascaping, which I love.

Ricks, the joins you see with single screws have builders glue and multiple large screws on the inside of the joins, which are not visible.

Thanks to all others for the encouragement and advice. I do plan to keep the braces in for peace of mind. They make it sturdy as a rock.

 

[mxett]

Here are some new pictures of the fish and corals. Everything has settled in to the tank really well.

The other thing I have been really happy with is the tank temperature. We are in summer here so if the tank is going to heat up excessively it will be now. However, with all the lights on I haven't seen the water temperature go over 27 degrees celcius, which is perfect! On really hot days the room is in a well airconditioned room, so the temperature is still perfect. This is all without a chiller, so I'm very pleased to save that money, space and noise.

 

[jay24k]

You guys might want to check out the load that this wood can hold. Maybe over a long span, I'd agree, but there is no way that tank is going to crush a 2 inch piece of wood vertical. All that screw is doing is giving it a ridgid brace so it doesn't sway. Also a wrap does strengthen it because it would have to destroy it vertically if the wrap is tied into the frame.

In all reality, very few tanks even need a 2" thickness of wood holding it up. You look at any commercial stands and many use 1/2" to 3/4" max. He has his load spread out over 2' spans which is incredibly strong. I'd personally remove those two angled cross beams.

I'd add a little bit more rock myself but you can always add as you go. Looks nice and very clear.

 

[djay]

Very nice setup

 

[martinphillip03]

Nice pictures! But I don't expect anything less from a Medical Imaging Professional.

Marty

 

[mxett]

Thanks jay, djay and marty.

Of course the pictures are nice. I'm an imaging professional. lol.

You should see the MRI of the fish!

 

[kdblove_99]

Looking good

 

[mxett]

Begun transforming the plain ( strong ) stand in to a classy cabinet, with the help of the talented father of course!

Firstly, decided on the design and colours, Dark blue trim, lighter blue panels. Six of them which will be fitted for easy removal.

Have painted the trims/mouldings, and have glued and nailed them on, then puttied, sanded and painted over.

Should have the panels installed and painted today hopefully.

 

[matthew5664]

Coming along nice. Like the DSB in a tub idea.

 

[mxett]

OK. Stand is FINISHED and looks great! The look is classy and different and really finishes the look. Thanks Dad! Clap

Here's what we did:

After applying a dark blue paint to the stand we attached pre-painted mouldings with PVA and nails to the top (under the glass, to hide the foam) and base of the stand.

Then we attached 6 MDF sheets which were previously painted with 3 coats of varnish. 4 of these sheets are easily removable with 2 screws, for occasional access to some plumbing, phosphate reactor and lighting electrics.

2 of the sheets are attached with magnetic door fasteners and base blocks, and are easily and instantly accessable with little effort. Access is to the skimmer section and refugium, and to the ATO, calcium reactor and main electrics.

What do ya think?

 

[matt & pam]

Nice clean look. Are you going to have a canopy or leave as is?

 

[mxett]

Thanks.

No Canopy. I like the open look. Plus, with the better ventilation, my water temperature never gets over 27.5 degrees celcius, so no need for a chiller!

 

[aspinn]

really looks great bud... massive tank =) whats your total stock list (including corals).... nicly done!!! and aye you and your dad did a great job on the sand =) its looking very nice!

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11679016#post11679016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aspinn
really looks great bud... massive tank =) whats your total stock list (including corals).... nicly done!!! and aye you and your dad did a great job on the sand =) its looking very nice!

Thanks aspinn.

Stock in the tank is pretty light on so far, as all of it was in my 90g. I just have more base rock in there. I will wait another 6 weeks or so, for the parameters and filtration to fully establish, then slowly start to add more livestock.

Currently:

Fish: 3 chromis, lawn mower blenny, foxface rabbit fish, clown

Inverts: 5 large turbo snails, few medium to small brittle stars, many small turbo snails (offspring)

Corals: about 7 sps: pollicipora, acropora, motipora

7 lps: bubble, pipe organ, brain, acan, elegance, zoo's, xenia

 

[aspinn]

thats not bad =) you better keep an eye on the blenny.... aparently they tend to jump thats all you need is him trying to learn how to carpet walk lol =) would love to see some more pics! once again nice jobl!

 

[zachtos]

A few comments on your build:

-Looks beautiful already.
-I'm sure it'll look even better after you make a hood to conceal the lights.
-Don't worry too much about the sand debate, I have used silica sand in all my tanks as well w/ no ill effect (that I know of atleast)

-I am worried about the longevity of your stand... if you claim that it 'wobbled', then that would frighten me greatly. It should be built like a brick to say the least. If it is indeed not worthy of that weight, you will begin to see sagging and bowing in the beams. Believe me, you don't want to see it collapse and lose everything... not to mention ruining your floors and mold damage. It's nothing you want to hear considering all the work, but I would worry that you may lean on the tank one day and the whole thing collapses.

* Another comment, how in the world did you manage to cycle your tank that fast? That seems impossibly fast? I am worried that you're going to lose everything when the nitrogen cycle completes... but then again, I see several people on RC do that... I guess I'm just very cautious when I'm playing w/ 10's of thousands of dollars US.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11705875#post11705875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachtos
A few comments on your build:

-Looks beautiful already.
-I'm sure it'll look even better after you make a hood to conceal the lights.
-Don't worry too much about the sand debate, I have used silica sand in all my tanks as well w/ no ill effect (that I know of atleast)

-I am worried about the longevity of your stand... if you claim that it 'wobbled', then that would frighten me greatly. It should be built like a brick to say the least. If it is indeed not worthy of that weight, you will begin to see sagging and bowing in the beams. Believe me, you don't want to see it collapse and lose everything... not to mention ruining your floors and mold damage. It's nothing you want to hear considering all the work, but I would worry that you may lean on the tank one day and the whole thing collapses.

* Another comment, how in the world did you manage to cycle your tank that fast? That seems impossibly fast? I am worried that you're going to lose everything when the nitrogen cycle completes... but then again, I see several people on RC do that... I guess I'm just very cautious when I'm playing w/ 10's of thousands of dollars US.

Thanks.

No wobbling now. 9 secure cross beams braced it fully. Even more when the stand became a cabinet with the panels.

The tank cycled so quickly because essentially it was all my livestock and live rock from my old tank. Therefore all the lr was cycled. Same as before, just more water.

4 weeks in now and all is great. No loss, no signs of algae, bar the coraline, and all corals are doing great. Infact many of the sps are colouring up significantly, so all is good.