Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I am honored that an idea of mine assisted a fellow reefer. Cant wait for the next update.
500 Gallon Build
- Thread starter foxvalleypcgeek
- Start date
I am honored that an idea of mine assisted a fellow reefer. Cant wait for the next update.
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
I have 4 jack posts to put down in the basement. Well 2 already there and I got 2 more cheap from someone I know. Wondering how that should be done. Thinking something like a pair of 6"x6"'s spanning the 8 feet across the jacks posts. One towards the front and one towards the back. It will also be right up against an exterior wall where the floor joists are directly supported by the concrete wall below.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
So it sounds like your floor joists are running perpendicular to the tank? How many joists will the tank be on? Should be a good amount of support there (96" span) if they are running perpendicular and on an exterior wall. Anything you add is going to beef the crap out of it if that's the case. I am no pro but I think the 6x6 idea should work out pretty well. :thumbsup:
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
Yes the floor joists are perpendicular. It will span across 6 of them. Its an old house and they are 2x10 which i believe really are 2x10.
Went to get my lumber for the stand and also went with 6x4 for down in the basement. I didnt realize how big a 6x6 really was and how heavy. 6x4 looks plenty to me.
Got some Cape Cod Gray weatherproof stain as well.
Went to get my lumber for the stand and also went with 6x4 for down in the basement. I didnt realize how big a 6x6 really was and how heavy. 6x4 looks plenty to me.
Got some Cape Cod Gray weatherproof stain as well.
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
Top will be a sheet of MDF. Got lucky and found out that comes in 97x49. I was worried as i knew plywood was just 96x48. And I confirmed i need to actually make the stand 97x49.
Also had to get some 10 foot boards because of that extra inch.
Also had to get some 10 foot boards because of that extra inch.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Same boards that I used. Except I actually got the plywood for the top instead of mdf.
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
It was either that or particle board. Anything else is an inch short at 96x48
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
Last night we got the wood all cut up except for the cross support on the top. Not sure on what the length will be exactly so waiting to do that until the rest is all assembled. Just cut everything up in the dining room and made a mess to dust and vacuum up but much better then going out in the cold. Used my old 210 canopy to clamp the board down to and cut away. I knew there was a reason I still had that thing laying around :dance:
Today it should be all put together and probobly get a start on staining it as well.
Today it should be all put together and probobly get a start on staining it as well.
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
What a sweet size I can only dream of! That foundation wall in the first pictures looks to need shored up if that is the same place the tank is going I would talk to someone about the structural integrity there.
If the pics of the other system are any indication this will be an awesome build, looking forward to following!
If the pics of the other system are any indication this will be an awesome build, looking forward to following!
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
The exterior wall that supports the joists is just fine. The one you see is only a partial that doesnt even go all the way to the ceiling.
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
Now after an entires day of work with the stand we have made good progress on it! This thing is huge and heavy. Added in two front legs and 2 back legs for some extra support. As well as needing the front legs anyways to put doors on the stand. There is no bottom inside of it at this point, and I don't plan on it as all equipment will be in the basement.
And here is the progress:
I see the stain looks blue in the phone pics, its a light gray and definitely needs a couple of coats. But we called in quits for the day.
At this point you can really start to see how big of a footrint this tank takes up. It is huge!
And here is the progress:
I see the stain looks blue in the phone pics, its a light gray and definitely needs a couple of coats. But we called in quits for the day.
At this point you can really start to see how big of a footrint this tank takes up. It is huge!
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
It will be skinned but not sure what at this point. It will probobly be pushed back a ways as funds will go towards equipment first.
foxvalleypcgeek
New member
Ya I have used black on a few previously but no more. This gray is very light so not far from white.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
The stand is looking real good sir. Keep up the good work. I know you found your paint but I used a shower liner type of paint to do the inside of my stand. But all of my equipment is inside also except for the protein skimmer. You could use a shower liner like I did also to catch any spills just for safety since you do have all of your equipment in the basement.
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