Hello all,
I am new to reef central and figured I could get some useful information from everybody.
My project began when I found a 400 gallon 3/4in glass tank on Craigs list about 3 years ago. I wasn't ready to make the move up from my 55 gallon tank, but the deal was so good I couldn't pass it up. ( you know what I'm talking about!! ) So, I purchased the tank knowing that sooner then later I would get it started. The demensions are 96in x 31in x 31in.
First, I spoke to many different LFS and cabinet builders and asked them about designing the stand. Many people told me different ways to build it, so I picked one and started. Unfortunately, I didn't know about RC at the time of construction. With help of a great friend, I began to design, cut and build and the stand here in my garage. It's made out of high quality 3/4in plywood with water proof glue and maple vanier ( not the cheap stuff from Home depot ) as the outside box. Then, I framed the inside of the box with 1x3in poplar hard wood and the outside is framed with 1x3in Maple. For extra strength I put 1x6in poplar in the center of both front and back. The doors are made of the same wood with an outside trim piece made out scrap maple. I then sent the stand out to be sprayed with a clear coat. It just came home yesterday and looks great.
My next step is to reinforce the floor before I put the tank on the stand. All my equipment with be in the basement running up to the tank on the second floor. This should eliminate a “few lbs†for what it’s worth! Oh, and eliminate water spill mistakes from getting into the stand.
As it stands right now, my tank is on the second floor in another room of the house. It sits on the crate it came in and I put bricks down to hold it up off the ground.....this made it easier on our backs setting it down. All 14 people that helped carry it in!!! I figure the tank, water, sand, stand, canopy, rock, and any other misc. stuff should weight approx 5000lbs +/-.
Does anyone have experience building stands?? What do you think about the strength of the stand I built???
Here's a few pics to start my journey.....
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I am new to reef central and figured I could get some useful information from everybody.
My project began when I found a 400 gallon 3/4in glass tank on Craigs list about 3 years ago. I wasn't ready to make the move up from my 55 gallon tank, but the deal was so good I couldn't pass it up. ( you know what I'm talking about!! ) So, I purchased the tank knowing that sooner then later I would get it started. The demensions are 96in x 31in x 31in.
First, I spoke to many different LFS and cabinet builders and asked them about designing the stand. Many people told me different ways to build it, so I picked one and started. Unfortunately, I didn't know about RC at the time of construction. With help of a great friend, I began to design, cut and build and the stand here in my garage. It's made out of high quality 3/4in plywood with water proof glue and maple vanier ( not the cheap stuff from Home depot ) as the outside box. Then, I framed the inside of the box with 1x3in poplar hard wood and the outside is framed with 1x3in Maple. For extra strength I put 1x6in poplar in the center of both front and back. The doors are made of the same wood with an outside trim piece made out scrap maple. I then sent the stand out to be sprayed with a clear coat. It just came home yesterday and looks great.
My next step is to reinforce the floor before I put the tank on the stand. All my equipment with be in the basement running up to the tank on the second floor. This should eliminate a “few lbs†for what it’s worth! Oh, and eliminate water spill mistakes from getting into the stand.
As it stands right now, my tank is on the second floor in another room of the house. It sits on the crate it came in and I put bricks down to hold it up off the ground.....this made it easier on our backs setting it down. All 14 people that helped carry it in!!! I figure the tank, water, sand, stand, canopy, rock, and any other misc. stuff should weight approx 5000lbs +/-.
Does anyone have experience building stands?? What do you think about the strength of the stand I built???
Here's a few pics to start my journey.....
