Lets do this - 225+ reef bar

[Kreeger1]

good plan

 

[mcliffy2]

Is there an alternative to paint? Ive seen a number that arent painted so I'm guessing there is something?

 

[TandN]

the checmicals in the treated lumber over time will leach into the tank. Also I would def. use mold resistant waterproof paint

 

[ReefEnabler]

at sherwin williams, I was able to find a 'precatalyzed epoxy paint'. they recommended an oil based primer. I've used it and it seems to cure nice and hard, and its supposed to be pretty water and mold resistant. Also only 1 can of paint instead of 2 like most epoxy paint.


Something to point out (as I was reminded by others), is that you do not want exposed untreated lumber resting on a concrete, or wood ground. I notice from your initial rendering that you do not plan to have any ends resting on the ground, which is great. The dry wood can soak up moisture and warp just as badly as the treated lumber if not fully protected.

I would make sure to paint any wood surface that is resting on the ground (aka, the bottom of the stand, and probably surfaces adjacent even interior ones).

 

[mcliffy2]

Well here are some stand pics, but it wasnt as even as I wanted so Im redoing it this weekend.

Pieces of wood cut out

putting the stand together

stand one finished the first time

realizing its not even and will need to be redone with putty

 

[mcliffy2]

And for fun, here are some pics of the current tank.


Black saddleback

shrooms and royal gramma

Desjardini Tang

the mandarin hunting pods

alien eye chalice

Oregon tort

pink birdsnest

micromussa

blue millie #1

 

[mcliffy2]

and a few more of the current tank:


blue millie #2

antifreeze tort

blue tip tenuis

pink millie

tyree flower petal monti

R.I.P. Mr. Trigger

 

[saltysupply]

I had some ends like that on mine...mainly cause I don't own a miter saw.

 

[saltysupply]

beautiful!

 

[ReefEnabler]

awesome pics!

if you are really anal about the stand being perfect (and It sounds like you are), then I suggest taking the extra time to run each piece through a jointer and a planer first to make everything foursquare. it makes the wood fit together MUCH better.

 

[mcliffy2]

Thanks guys. Hopefully the flat starphire on the new tank will help me take some front view shots - the darn curved glass knocks the macro out of focus big time!

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11694533#post11694533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanBrucks
awesome pics!

if you are really anal about the stand being perfect (and It sounds like you are), then I suggest taking the extra time to run each piece through a jointer and a planer first to make everything foursquare. it makes the wood fit together MUCH better.

Ill have to look into it...some of the 2x6s were warped so Im scrapping them. (that was what was causing the misalignment) There was a lot of torque on the beams to straighten them out to fit, and I figure that is not good for the structural integrity of the stand, so better safe than sorry.

 

[mcliffy2]

I finished up the stands today. Im a little worried that the two stands arent 100% even. If I put a piece of plywood and layer of 3/4" foam on top, should that take care of it?

Also, i think the floor has a pretty significant slope, how can I shim this? Ive seen the shims at HD, but it seems like shims result in point pressure on places, no?

After making the stand, I decided that I dont have room for the rubbermaid sump I had been planning. The area under the stand is pretty roomy since I built it 38" tall, so I think Im going to go with a 75g or so under the tank, just need to investigate options. There is a local guy that builds acrylic sumps, so I might contact him. At any rate, here are the pics:

At any rate here are the pics, with the stand in place.

 

[saltysupply]

the shims should be fine as long as you use them under the stand...shims under the tank would create the pressure points.

 

[saltysupply]

does anyone have the measurements of where the overflows are on a AGA 180

 

[cbui2]

very well built stand, you can always add adjustable feets at the bottom. thats how most manufacture build their stands.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11704244#post11704244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
very well built stand, you can always add adjustable feets at the bottom. thats how most manufacture build their stands.

That sounds like a very good idea. Do you have a link?

 

[cbui2]

you can always google adjustable feets, should be like entire plate with threads about 2"x2" with the bolts and all. this way it can be mounted directly to the wood to give it strength and durability.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11706918#post11706918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
you can always google adjustable feets, should be like entire plate with threads about 2"x2" with the bolts and all. this way it can be mounted directly to the wood to give it strength and durability.

So something like this?
http://www.carrlane.com/Catalog/ind...006280B1713050245221E0107070F1A3C3B285350415D

 

[cbui2]

yup just get the ones that rated when your display is fully stock. regular studs not swivel though