700g Plywood build.

[KW-Reefer]

Here is a quick sketch in paint to show my stand plan....

Overall I would like the stand to be 24" or so high and 96" long I think my single studs will be 10" O.C and the same with the 2x6 joists. Construction will be similar to a house foundation with a 2x4 base with 2x4 studs (doubled up on the ends) topped off with a 2x4 cap and then 2x6 rim joist and joists.

Pics are worth a thousand words so here are my Jank paint sketches........LOL

 

[X men]

@Fudge

Thanks for dropping in. I have read your build and it is also one of the tanks that helped me make my decision to build a "Woody

Could you please point me to the right direction, i can not find the thread about Fudghe his wooden aquarium.

 

[KW-Reefer]

@ X men


Here ya go! Love the aquascaping in this tank..........

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=686757

 

[dsandfort]

Yep, Marc...I remember. I finally plumbed a shop vac to my sander and that helped a bunch.

James...If you are somewhere near a camera and have the time, we'd like to see some pictures of the big weekend Monster Garage "turn good lumber into a small swiming pool" episode.

 

[KW-Reefer]

@ Del.

No problem. Batteries are charging for the Digi cam as we speak, Yes both of them...I will also bring the wall adapter just incase.......Need something to show the kids when I get around to having them...LOL.

Okay, Okay. You guys can see too............ You can stop twisting my arm now, I will need it to finish up the tank and stand!

It begins Saturday.............How will it end?


James

 

[blufyre3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9968131#post9968131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KW-Reefer
Here is a quick sketch in paint to show my stand plan....

Overall I would like the stand to be 24" or so high and 96" long I think my single studs will be 10" O.C and the same with the 2x6 joists. Construction will be similar to a house foundation with a 2x4 base with 2x4 studs (doubled up on the ends) topped off with a 2x4 cap and then 2x6 rim joist and joists.

Pics are worth a thousand words so here are my Jank paint sketches........LOL

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/6246Stand2-
med.JPG

If you can make the platform on your stand bigger than the tank it makes it easier to clean because you can stand on it and lean over the tank. I only have a 2' lip and it's hard to use step stools and still reach everything.

 

[KW-Reefer]

@blufyre3

Thanks for the thoughts. I am planing on building an area off the back of the stand to walk about on.........I'm 6'3" so a 1.5' tall walk should do it but this will need to be trial and error I'm sure.


Thanks again for the idea.......

James

 

[blufyre3]

It's all trial and error in our addiction. My lights can be raised and then lowered back into place so it makes it easier when cleaning. A stand around the back a little lower than the tank would be great as long as you can still get to everything under the tank also. I have a set of marine steps that work great unless I need to reach the bottom front of the tank. I have to slide across the top acryllic brace (about 12" wide) and lay cross the top to reach. Needless to say I don't do this often and I try not to need to at all. Also, what is going to be under the tank? We used 2 x 6 rather than 2 x 4 on the back and sides so they could be farther apart and give better access to the sump. We still doubled the corners and it sits on 2 x 4's on the front wall.
(viewing side)
Great plan so far, good luck, Mitz

 

[OnlyCrimson]

Oh i wanna see this!

 

[KW-Reefer]

Here are some Photos of my progress thus far..........Hope you all enjoy.


Tell me your thoughts on the stand and if it looks strong enough.

The Goods

 

[KW-Reefer]

Some of my Plumbing parts that I have thus far

Pair of Dart Pumps

Tank Progress........Waiting on the glue to set for the front beams and then I will add the corner support and euro brace..........Then it's Epoxy time.

As alway comments are welcome. It is easy to fix them now.


Special Thanks go out to my dad for helping with the stand today and to my wife for helping me with the tank shell.............


Thanks for looking....

James

 

[cbui2]

very well built, looks good to me but if you could when resize pic's put them at 700 pixels so they will appear much bigger and any details can be view. on another note you might want to look into heavy duty sch 80 bulkhead, I install hayward on mine and work like a champ. the last thing I need on my 600gal is for the bulks to start leaking especially on large projects. will you have anykind of center brace to prevent bowing maybe steel angle line or something similar since the length is 96"?
omg thats awesome getting your wife to help with the projects. its always nice to have loved ones invloved and lend a helping hand.

 

[KW-Reefer]

@cbui2

Thanks for the tip on the pics........First time for that one.



The front is going to be aprox 3" thick as I am doubling up a 2x6 and a 2x4 to support the glass and reduce shear force. I will then add a 2x6 across the back and then join the front and back with more 2x4 or 2x6 just have to be sure to leave enough room to get the glass in..............


I know I "should" have got sch80 bulkheads and still probably
will. I have never had the lifegaurd ones leak on me but am not sure I am willing to take that chance. I am having problems locating them in Canada for a reasonable price. Most that I have found are @ plumbing supply houses that only sell @ inflated retail compared to Savko. Problem with me getting them from Savko is that I will be charged a minimum of $35 for UPS Brokerage Fees, then I will have to pay duties of 14% and the the shipping charge itself. I'll keep searching but have the other just in case I can not find them and have backup. So if anyone from Canada knows where I can get sch80 Bulkheads in 2" and 1.5" that would be awesome.

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the stand. My Dad was concerned that it will not hold. He then put the hint of doubt in my mind and needed to be re-assured that its all good........Then again I have seen some pretty bad stand designs in my travels and I thought this one was strongly built...........

Have fun all I'm off to do more work.....

James

Almost forgot, It's the wifes fish tank also so I am glad that I can have the opportunity to spend some time with her. We have not seen to much of one another with work and all lately......

 

[cbui2]

also how will you be doiing your overflows internal, external or all across the back. i didn't see anything on the bottom of tank or just plywood onto the stand.

 

[KW-Reefer]

@cbui2

I was going to do external coast to coast but changed my mind and am just going through the back with 4 1.5" bulkheads. Closed loop will feed over the top as will the sump return. I will have 2 2" feeds for the closed loop pump and 1 2" bulkhead in the sump. Last I am going to have a 3/4" bulkhead at the water line to feed my skimmer...........

On a side note I am still working on the epoxy. The guy who was supposed to help and "Know" what he was doing turned out to not know and bailed on me. I will also need to order more epoxy as he used way too much on the bottom and I will need to sand and do three coats there as per East Systems tech info. I am admitting defeat on my timline but the build goes on............
I'm hoping to have all of the glassing done by the weekend.

That's all for now....... I will post more pics tonight when I get home.

James

 

[Cougarman]

Hey K-W Reefer here is a pic of my 600 gallon plywood tank. Its been up for a year now, doing great too. I'm in Burlington, very close to K-W
If you need advice, let me know

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/photopost/data/500/IMGP1510.JPG

I have other photos in the AP photo Gallery. Just do a search for my username: Cougarman

 

[KW-Reefer]

@Cougarman

Glad to see others have done this in the area....... I will look for you Gallery @ AP...


Thanks for droping me a line.

James

 

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9993663#post9993663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KW-Reefer
@cbui2

I was going to do external coast to coast but changed my mind and am just going through the back with 4 1.5" bulkheads. Closed loop will feed over the top as will the sump return. I will have 2 2" feeds for the closed loop pump and 1 2" bulkhead in the sump. Last I am going to have a 3/4" bulkhead at the water line to feed my skimmer...........

On a side note I am still working on the epoxy. The guy who was supposed to help and "Know" what he was doing turned out to not know and bailed on me. I will also need to order more epoxy as he used way too much on the bottom and I will need to sand and do three coats there as per East Systems tech info. I am admitting defeat on my timline but the build goes on............
I'm hoping to have all of the glassing done by the weekend.

That's all for now....... I will post more pics tonight when I get home.

James

you can always click on quote for reply to any post. bummer helping hands are good but sometimes not reliable and not only that bailed at the last minute. keep it up and don't skimp on any steps.

 

[Kent E]

The stand looks great. I'm waiting to see where you go with the tank.

 

[KW-Reefer]

Here are some updates. Sorry it took so long but i was busy coating the tank. None of the pictures reflect this but the tank is now coated once over and I will try and get the second coat on this weekend, as said before this coat will be tinted black. We will see what happens.......... What are the feelings on the top side support? I am planing on laminating a 2x6 across the side front to back once the glass is in place, Would that be enough or do I need more support?

Enjoy and comments welcomed as always.