90 gallon build (DIY plywood stand)

[PistolShrmp]

I think it's important to realize what exactly we are talking about. Yes, the tank could easily weight over 1,000 pounds with water, rock and sand. BUT, lets consider the basics of load spread over a surface area.

For example, the tank I'm building is as follows:

48"x24" = 1152 square inches or 8 square feet
120 gallons + 100 lbs rock and 200 lbs of sand = 1300 lbs approx.
8 / 1300 = 163 lbs per square foot approx.

So basically I can stand on any part of my stand and be very close to the resultant of my tank.

If you feel comfortable standing on your aquarium stand (even when it gets wet) then I'd say you did good.

 

[Sinclair81]

I think it's important to realize what exactly we are talking about. Yes, the tank could easily weight over 1,000 pounds with water, rock and sand. BUT, lets consider the basics of load spread over a surface area.

For example, the tank I'm building is as follows:

48"x24" = 1152 square inches or 8 square feet
120 gallons + 100 lbs rock and 200 lbs of sand = 1300 lbs approx.
8 / 1300 = 163 lbs per square foot approx.

So basically I can stand on any part of my stand and be very close to the resultant of my tank.

If you feel comfortable standing on your aquarium stand (even when it gets wet) then I'd say you did good.

Jay, thank you for the compliments, your build looks awesome as well. I have been watching a lot of builds and yours is very nice. I feel very comfortable with my stand. This was the first stand that I built using a pocket hole jig, and it is amazing what strength you add to the build simply by using pocket holes. I will be watching your build closely.

 

[JMartin104]

I think it's important to realize what exactly we are talking about. Yes, the tank could easily weight over 1,000 pounds with water, rock and sand. BUT, lets consider the basics of load spread over a surface area.

For example, the tank I'm building is as follows:

48"x24" = 1152 square inches or 8 square feet
120 gallons + 100 lbs rock and 200 lbs of sand = 1300 lbs approx.
8 / 1300 = 163 lbs per square foot approx.

So basically I can stand on any part of my stand and be very close to the resultant of my tank.

If you feel comfortable standing on your aquarium stand (even when it gets wet) then I'd say you did good.

While I understand where you are coming from, this is a bit misleading. You may have an area of 8sqft however, you may not be providing support for the full amount. For example, my tank measures about the same, but the tank is only supported on the perimeter of the stand. This increases the supporting surface areas considerably.

 

[donald altman]

Thank you, I am trying to make it look good as well as be solid. I think I am going to paint the inside with some oil based primer and stain the outside. The shower pan is a great idea, but I am not sure I will need it. So you would recommed to push air in?

First.. I wanted to say that your stand looks awesome. I wish I had have your wood working skill and patience.

I would think that with your air movement or circulation you might could go with a fan pulling air in and on the opposite site just a small vent so the air is actually moving across the complete bottom. Or you could just route some access holes in the back like you did your door int he front. Your going to need a way to route your electrical cords to the sockets and maybe stick your arm thrugh incase something falls behind your tank and lands in the middle between the stand and the wall. ?!?

Just some thoughts..

 

[ek9vboi]

I think undoubtably that you guys are not giving this guy enough credit. Like he said, he has followed many builds and done his own research. The pocket hole jig method of assembly with glue makes a really strong assembly of the parts. After building a shelving system for my water reservoir/salt mixing station, this type of assembly is strong!

I would skip the water pan idea, it's not necessary. From the looks of it, you are siliconing the edges where they meet and with the oil based paint it should be fine. I would also look into some latex paint to prevent water from having a possibility of even soaking into the wood. My last suggestion would be to get some 120mm PC fans (1 each side) and have them pull in fresh air, no need for a grill. If your door that your planning to have on as a cover isn't airtight then the air should escape through there.

Oh yeah don't forget the holes for electrical plugs and stuff. Make sure they will be big enough. My friend built my stand before I took over his set up, he didn't take into consideration that the Vortech pumps/drivers would need to have a way in but mounting the drivers on the outside is the cool thing now so it's not such a big deal.

 

[PistolShrmp]

While I understand where you are coming from, this is a bit misleading. You may have an area of 8sqft however, you may not be providing support for the full amount. For example, my tank measures about the same, but the tank is only supported on the perimeter of the stand. This increases the supporting surface areas considerably.

Your comparing apples and oranges...

 

[Sinclair81]

First.. I wanted to say that your stand looks awesome. I wish I had have your wood working skill and patience.

I would think that with your air movement or circulation you might could go with a fan pulling air in and on the opposite site just a small vent so the air is actually moving across the complete bottom. Or you could just route some access holes in the back like you did your door int he front. Your going to need a way to route your electrical cords to the sockets and maybe stick your arm thrugh incase something falls behind your tank and lands in the middle between the stand and the wall. ?!?

Just some thoughts..

Thank you, Yes I have cut out a hole in the back of the stand for electrical access and for ventilation. Still trying to work out where and how I want all the electrical stuff to go. If you know of any links showing how people setup their stand that would be great!

I think undoubtably that you guys are not giving this guy enough credit. Like he said, he has followed many builds and done his own research. The pocket hole jig method of assembly with glue makes a really strong assembly of the parts. After building a shelving system for my water reservoir/salt mixing station, this type of assembly is strong!

I would skip the water pan idea, it's not necessary. From the looks of it, you are siliconing the edges where they meet and with the oil based paint it should be fine. I would also look into some latex paint to prevent water from having a possibility of even soaking into the wood. My last suggestion would be to get some 120mm PC fans (1 each side) and have them pull in fresh air, no need for a grill. If your door that your planning to have on as a cover isn't airtight then the air should escape through there.

Oh yeah don't forget the holes for electrical plugs and stuff. Make sure they will be big enough. My friend built my stand before I took over his set up, he didn't take into consideration that the Vortech pumps/drivers would need to have a way in but mounting the drivers on the outside is the cool thing now so it's not such a big deal.

The idea of just pulling air in and let it vent out the door and back is a good Idea, less cutting! Also I hope that the silicone and paint will hold up, it should, but I plan on nut spilling any water Still working on the electrical so stay tuned, hopefully get some stuff donr this weekend!

 

[Sinclair81]

Now to cut out for the overflows, paint the interior and stain, pretty straight forward.

Trim

Poly

 

[Omni26]

Add some steel tubing and pour some concrete where it will sit.. I kid.
Looks nice. Nice color. Going to seal it with varnish/shellac?

 

[Sinclair81]

Add some steel tubing and pour some concrete where it will sit.. I kid.
Looks nice. Nice color. Going to seal it with varnish/shellac?

Ha, when I first read your post I was like SERIOUSLY!, but the smiley face makes up for it! Thank you, I am going to put as many coats of poly that I can get out of a can of poly, which should be about 5.

 

[PistolShrmp]

Looks great, nice work.

 

[ek9vboi]

Excellent work on the staining. Wish I had some skills in that department. Since your running fans for the sump, I would suggest running a few more for the sump to help cool off if the tank needs it. I have my fans pulling air in and realized that two more fans over the sump isn't a bad idea, works great when cooling down the tank. It waste less power then running a chiller. You might need to top off more but it's ok.

 

[ek9vboi]

Excellent work on the staining. Wish I had some skills in that department. Since your running fans for the sump, I would suggest running a few more for the sump to help cool off if the tank needs it. I have my fans pulling air in and realized that two more fans over the sump isn't a bad idea, works great when cooling down the tank. It waste less power then running a chiller. You might need to top off more but it's ok.

 

[Sinclair81]

Looks great, nice work.

Thank you, I do try.

Excellent work on the staining. Wish I had some skills in that department. Since your running fans for the sump, I would suggest running a few more for the sump to help cool off if the tank needs it. I have my fans pulling air in and realized that two more fans over the sump isn't a bad idea, works great when cooling down the tank. It waste less power then running a chiller. You might need to top off more but it's ok.

Thank you for the compliments, really its all about persistance. Yea I have used a fan in the past to cool my tank and plan on doing so with this tank, but I do not know if I want to put the cooling fans in the sump or in the hood blowing over the DT!

 

[ek9vboi]

Thank you, I do try.




Thank you for the compliments, really its all about persistance. Yea I have used a fan in the past to cool my tank and plan on doing so with this tank, but I do not know if I want to put the cooling fans in the sump or in the hood blowing over the DT!

Do both, gotta keep the lights cool. IMO in the sump, directly over the baffles or rather where water flows would be better at cooling. I like to clean look so less clutter that can be seen, the better.

 

[Sinclair81]

Wow, its been a while, I need to update this!

 

[Sinclair81]

Wow it has been some time, the tank is up and running now, but according to this thread i dont have water in it yet, so I guess its time for an update. So I had to run a new breaker and line for the tank and cut out a hole in the back of the stand.

Then I put in a reg ten gallon tank to act as a sump until I finish my real one.

 

[Sinclair81]

After the electrical was done, I needed to build the sump and get the over flow plumbed.

 

[scottsr]

Looks great, I am starting my own 90 stand build any tips or things that you would have done different?

 

[codyreef29]

that wood came out good wow nice job!