DIY Stand build - 180

[RokleM]

When I purchased my tank, I got a stand/hood with it as well. Not being a real craftsman myself, but having done a little bit of woodwork, I quickly decided that the stand I purchased needed to either be modified or scrapped. It amazes me how little support they put in these stands, but that's a whole other topic

Tank:

I'm basing this partially on the DIY stands on this site.

Tank trim outside dimensions (180): 24 5/16 x 72 5/16
Stand outside dimensions: 25 1/2 x 73.5 1/2
3/4" plywood on top of the stand: 26 x 74

I am not planning on fully enclosing the unit at this point, so I decided on a unique wood, Cedar.

Below is today's work. I've got the base mostly complete at this point. It's a long task for me, as this is my first project like this. I probably measure the same item a half dozen times

Gluing and making sure (to the best of my abilities) that everything is square:

Corner braces (4"):

Center support pieces are in place:

Close up of the center support:

The screws are actually 2 1/4" square bit decking.

That's all for today Work is insane, so it will probably take me a good week if not longer to complete this, especially since I'm trying to do it right the first time.

 

[RokleM]

Top and bottom pieces are built (just sitting one on the other), and the posts are cut

I picked up some 2x4's and 2x6's I'll use at some point for some diagonal bracing.

 

[beaniebeagle]

a sherman tank wont crush that

 

[exmt]

Nice, that looks like one strong stand!

What kind of waterproof finish are you going to put on it?

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7342911#post7342911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by exmt
Nice, that looks like one strong stand!

What kind of waterproof finish are you going to put on it?

I have not yet decided.

 

[RokleM]

Mothers day weekend and work set me a back a little bit, but I'm making progress slowly but surely.

Two coats of Minwax Spar Urethane Semi-Gloss, One coat of Minwax Spare Urethane Clear Gloss.

I hope this weekend to actually attach the posts and debate the rest of the structural support.

 

[dfcjr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7342865#post7342865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beaniebeagle
a sherman tank wont crush that

You can say that again!!!

 

[thereefgeek]

Dude! I thought mine was overkill

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7403748#post7403748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thereefgeek
Dude! I thought mine was overkill

What is overkill? I'm not familiar with this term!

 

[allen00se]

One of those 4x4's could hold the tanks weight, you definitely have a nice stand there, and you obviously spent a lot of time. However, I dont understand this trend of overbuilding, its more expensive, heavier, and takes up more space.... but to each his own I guess.

 

[Purple Haze]

rediculously over-built. But not bad

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7404437#post7404437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by allen00se
One of those 4x4's could hold the tanks weight, you definitely have a nice stand there, and you obviously spent a lot of time. However, I dont understand this trend of overbuilding, its more expensive, heavier, and takes up more space.... but to each his own I guess.

*shrug* I'll still end up spending less than buying a cheesy stand. Honestly, I don't see any reason NOT to overbuild. I think you're crazy if you don't.

Look at it this way 1) It's Cedar, which is slightly softer 2) The stand will likely have over 1 ton on top of it when complete 3) If we're at all lucky, it will stay where it is for 10 years, which also means no real maintenance can be done.

I just keep thinking to myself, why do people worry about spending a couple hundred on a stand, when the water they have in their tank alone is worth that (let alone the rock, the corals, the fish, etc, etc)

As you said though, to each their own...

 

[allen00se]

That is true, have you made any new progress yet? I would like to see some more pics...

 

[Cuby2k]

NEWS FLASH! In Columbus Ohio today a magnitude 8.3 earthquake shook the city to it's foundation. Stunned residents were seen gasping at RokleM's tank stand as the only remaining upright structure in the city. Film at 11.

Actually I really like 4 x 4 construction, something very reassuring with the looks of it. I like the quality of your work as well. having worked a bit with wood I know a good 45 deg cut on a 4 x 4 can be a challenge and take a fair amount of time. Kudos to you for such nice work.

 

[RokleM]

Honestly, I haven't had time.

I got the parts moved downstairs, and I have a slight slope in the basement floor towards the middle of the stand (man made crack there), so I need to create a number of shims to get it all perfect. Good news is, the last foot on the ends are flat on the concrete and it's currently 100% level without any adjustment. Think of it like a bridge touching on either side, but nothing in the middle currently

 

[RokleM]

The posts are connected to the base. I'm pretty happy, as everything seemed to line up properly so far with minimal tweaking.

Next is securing the posts to the top, securing the board to the top, then diagonal support.

The metal brackets on the bottom will be covered by the plywood where I'll place frag/QT tanks. I've thinking about a piece of 2x4" cut short to cover the metal brackets along the posts later in the future. I could take a router and do some fancy work, turning them into "columns" if you know what I mean.

 

[poknsnok]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7403748#post7403748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thereefgeek
Dude! I thought mine was overkill

I like your stand. I cant seem to understand how vertical supports are fastened to the horizontal bottom 2x4's in the center and outsides. do the vertical supports go all the way to the base of the top plywood and is that just a plywood skin that rings the stand? I am less than a handyman as you can tell

 

[RokleM]

The rest of the posts are complete, and the plywood is attached.

Diagonals and shims are next.

 

[RokleM]

REAL close to completion. I still need to build the plywood bottom and find some ways to pretty/cover the metal. All of that however can wait for a while.

I've got about 4-5" of water in there to start the settling process on the wood and such. That should be enough weight to do a quick bottom leak test, as well as get things settling without extreme stress.

Now to figure out lighting and if I want a hanging setup or a hood. No 4x4's used if I build a hood, so don't worry

 

[jeffreylam1132]

Nice work!