hul kogan's 180G In-Wall Glass Reef [The Chronicles of Awesome]

[hul kogan]

Any skinning of the framing with ply wood of reasonable thickness, say 5/8" plus 3/4" even better, will add substantial rigidity to the frame on that face where it's attached.

Sheet rock may add some but it's not as sturdy as ply wood.

And, if you're skinning the finished surface with sheetrock use the green board that is mold & mildew resistant.

I think I'm going to go that route, rather than attempting to create some sort of 'removable' supports for the middle. It seems like a reasonable alternative.

The front and one side will be done in green board (I know I said drywall, force of habit...haha) because they will actually be part of the wall that encloses the tank.

 

[dipan]

Well, the idea was to make up for the lack of supports on the back (what you are calling the front), by building the rest like a tank. Plus, this is a 4 ft tall stand. The top 2x4 is 6ft.

I wanted to leave the back free of supports so my options for sump/fuge were open, plus having room will certainly help with maintenance. I have also considered a small frag tank on a rack above the sump/fuge to take advantage of the added height inside the stand.

At this point I still have to add the top shelf (likely some nice cabinet plywood) and I'm considering boxing in the back with plywood. I could at least do that on the end to add a bit more strength and stability. Think a 1-1.5 ft piece of wood, going vertically from floor to top, on each end of the stand. Make sense? Think that would help out?

Gotcha. I was confused front to back because this in inwall. If there is a significant piece of plywood that will span the ... back ... top portion of the stand then I would think that span would probably be fine. I don't think beefing up the sides will do much for that long span. I understand that you want to leave it open, but you might consider strengthening that span without adding an upright. The corner braces are great, but if that span is greater than 4ft I would worry that it could sag, and, given that the other sides of your stand would be so rigid, a rigid tank on top may not like the stress so much.

One thing I've done is use steel to reinforce. I've done this by just bolting a piece of steel plate to the wood face on my frag tank stand (in my build thread). I've also used steel in a routed channel between two 2x4's which were glued together and bolted together (wood-steel-wood sandwich).

Just something to consider ...

 

[prop-frags]

Dipan's advice is spot on.
You absolutely should skin the back side with plywood to provide shear strength (no side-to-side rocking). As far as the 6' span across the open front, I would not rely upon a single pine stud there. Either reinforce with steel, as suggested, laminate another stud along the entire length, or laminate with a heavy (5/8 or better) plywood that is at least 3" high.

 

[hul kogan]

Thanks for the advice and ideas on strengthening up the back of the stand. I really appreciate the input!

I'm envisioning a plywood skin on the back with a large access hole routed out in the middle. It would allow for one piece to tie together both sides and upper/lower horizontal spans. Aside from the functionality aspect...I think it will look pretty darn good, too. Heh.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Hmmmm.... pool table and aquariums... an interesting mix. Reminds me of another remarkable build thread:

(above photo courtesy of: edandsandy)

That is really going to be some great living art on the wall...

LL

 

[hul kogan]

Hmmmm.... pool table and aquariums... an interesting mix.

That is really going to be some great living art on the wall...

Great to see you check in here Lightsluvr. I have stopped in on your build thread a number of times!

I think the pool table/fish tank combo goes great, because it keeps you entertained between your shots. In fact, I typically get 'pulled away' from my games when I want to take a minute and stare.

Just a few general rules to remember when mixing tanks and tables:
1. Always break away from the tank
2. Never attempt to teach yourself pool ball juggling
3. Cue javelin is a no-no
and last, but not least... 4. No pool sharks allowed....


Lame, I know......I sold all my good humor to do this build. :wildone:

 

[Lightsluvr]

Great to see you check in here Lightsluvr. I have stopped in on your build thread a number of times!

I think the pool table/fish tank combo goes great, because it keeps you entertained between your shots. In fact, I typically get 'pulled away' from my games when I want to take a minute and stare.

Just a few general rules to remember when mixing tanks and tables:
1. Always break away from the tank
2. Never attempt to teach yourself pool ball juggling
3. Cue javelin is a no-no
and last, but not least... 4. No pool sharks allowed....


Lame, I know......I sold all my good humor to do this build. :wildone:

Thanks for the welcome - following along. I really envy the height of your tank's position - and nice to have room to work above the tank and still have it at eye level for viewing..

You still have some good humor left - good for you. There will be times during the build that you will need it...

Good luck.

 

[Bax]

This is a 6' 220g. I bought it used began to set it up then sold it when the 375 I have (still not set up) came available. Anyway ... The doors are leaning up on the front, but you can see the wide open span behind them. This stand was skinned with a high grade 3/4" ply. It was rock solid and is still in use today. It used sistered 6 x 2 to span the front and back.

If you skin the back with ply and green board the front & right end, isn't there still the left end you could skin with plywood and not be seen? If so, I'd do this too to limite fromt to back rocking.

 

[edandsandy]

Hmmmm.... pool table and aquariums... an interesting mix. Reminds me of another remarkable build thread:

(above photo courtesy of: edandsandy)

That is really going to be some great living art on the wall...

LL

HEY! that room looks familiar :wave:

 

[Lightsluvr]

HEY! that room looks familiar :wave:

...as it should. :thumbsup:

Only one like it.

LL

 

[hul kogan]

HEY! that room looks familiar :wave:

Hey Sandy, thanks for checking in. :wave:

Your two tank setup is great!

 

[Lightsluvr]

Hey Sandy, thanks for checking in. :wave:

Your two tank setup is great!

You should see it now!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1403507

Ed and Sandy's tank is one that I copied from in many ways during my build...

LL

 

[hul kogan]

Oh, I know...their big tank is an absolute stunner!

 

[hul kogan]

If you skin the back with ply and green board the front & right end, isn't there still the left end you could skin with plywood and not be seen? If so, I'd do this too to limite fromt to back rocking.

The left end will sit very close to one of the floor joists that is in the room. So, unfortunately, I don't think adding plywood to that side is an option.

I don't see that being too much of an issue, though, simply because of all the reinforcement I put on the sides and front. The back was where I skimped due to access needs, but I think with a nice plywood skin I will be in decent shape, eh?

 

[jose7878]

You could always add another 2x4 on th back header on the inside so that it beefs that header up some.IMO

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i was always under the impression that the stand need only support the corners of a glass tank and that any deviations from plane in the stand along the edges joining the corners were of little concern (providing they are lower and not higher then the corners)...with that said the centre of the stand should have little relevance...

however if you can somehow manage to get another 2x4 up inside the one in question i am sure everyone would sleep better..

also i would not use green board or blue board on your stand, that green and blue colour is a form of mold and mildew inhibtor (generally oil based) and it dries out and is less effective over time...i would use paperless drywall (actually it has a fiberglass surface on it) it is not effected by water (ie; the soaked and rotting paper of regular gypsum board and green and blue board eventually will provide food for mold) also paperless board has no mold or mildew inhibitors in it....

your build looks good so far...keep it up and keep us posted...

 

[hul kogan]

i was always under the impression that the stand need only support the corners of a glass tank

As was I, but better safe than sorry, I suppose. I am currently considering a partial plywood skin on the back or additional support to the top rear span. Hopefully I'll have a chance to sit down and make my decision this weekend.

Also, thanks for the heads up in regards to paperless drywall. I never knew there was such a thing. I'll have to go to my local home improvement stores and see what kind of selection I have available.

 

[edandsandy]

Oh, I know...their big tank is an absolute stunner!

Thanks

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

Also, thanks for the heads up in regards to paperless drywall. I never knew there was such a thing. I'll have to go to my local home improvement stores and see what kind of selection I have available.

they should have it as it is specifically designed for bathroom walls, it can also be used to support tile...(ie cementing tile to it) the stuff here in Canada is bright yellow...

 

[frgrasso]

really nice setup !