Lunchbucket's 48"x48"x20" Reef

It seems to me that once the tank is on the stand there will be no reason to move anything. So I would build a lower shelf that uses both the metal from the stand and has wood supports that rest on the floor also. This way what ever you decide to put on the shelf besides the tank will not have to rely on the wood itself to support it. It will have a frame under it that rests on the floor and disperse the weight.
 
I would fill the gap with the foam and lay in a sheet of good ply that is notched out for the stand legs. Coat the ply really well too... or you could even install a tray to catch spills.
 
I second the plywood tray...put some wood on the floor between the steel supports, amd build a shallow tray out of plywood, coated in epoxy, that all of the understand equipment will sit in. The sides don't need to be more than 2"...but it will hold a good amount of water nd possibly save the carpet in your living room if water runs out under the fishroom door. With the tray under the stand, with just 2" sides, you'll be ably to catch 20 gallons less the space taken up by equipment.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12365147#post12365147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
I would fill the gap with the foam and lay in a sheet of good ply that is notched out for the stand legs. Coat the ply really well too... or you could even install a tray to catch spills.
Click to expand...

The gap from the top of the steel rail to the floor is 2" or so. It would take a lot of foam.

So set the wood on the top of the steel rail and built a frame underneath it or set the ply on the floor inside the steel frame and build a tray like JCTewks suggested?

Hung two of the doors but did not put the handles on them yet. Also, I thought I put a 2x4 behind there so I would have something to screw into. Must have measured it wrong so now I need to install wall anchors. Also, I'll need a to put some weather stripping all around the edges to help seal the room up so my exhaust fans don't suck air from the living room.
door_hung.JPG


Tomorrow I hope to get the shelf done and get the sumps set, get the ply under the tank w/ the foam, and get the ledge set and painted so I can leave the tank in it's final resting place. Might be able to start pluming soon :D

Another quick question. I notched out the 2 layers of ply and the foam for under the tank for the overflow. I did not cut out a hole (leaving the back piecs) I cut it completely from the back so there is no rear support on the overflow. Should i make a piece to stick on the back of the overflow edge of the tank? I'm assuming there isn't much weight there since it is overflow but thought I'd ask now

See there is no back piece...ie I did not cut out a hole I notched out the whole back.
foam_cut.JPG


Lunchbucket
 
hmmm...why can't you just pick up some 2" rigid foam like you used for the tank, and install it below where the sump will go? I am not sure what you mean by "It would take a lot of foam." Same basic concept as you used to install the display right?
 
You can fill the 2" area with some wood strips to support the plywood shelf/tray. It doesn't have to be filled completely, but every 12" would probably suffice. That way the plywood is evenly supported.

I doubt the flooring under your tank will shift that much that one single sump will be so badly affected to the point of bowing or bursting.

Do the stell frames screw together to be one? If not, you can drill them and bolt them together so that any possible foundation issues would move the entire stand (with tank) as one.

It's coming along nicely.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12371096#post12371096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You can fill the 2" area with some wood strips to support the plywood shelf/tray. It doesn't have to be filled completely, but every 12" would probably suffice. That way the plywood is evenly supported.

I doubt the flooring under your tank will shift that much that one single sump will be so badly affected to the point of bowing or bursting.

Do the stell frames screw together to be one? If not, you can drill them and bolt them together so that any possible foundation issues would move the entire stand (with tank) as one.

It's coming along nicely.
Click to expand...

Yes they are bolted together on the sides.

I am not worried about the floor shifting but was wondering if it is flat enough for the sump sitting on it. would hate to have it cause a problem later.

jnarowe - Never thought about 2" thick foam. forgot they make it that thick :D Been a long weekend.

So do the wood shelf ontop of the steel w/ supports under it or just set the sumps on teh floor?

Anyone comment on the overflow in the tank support question that I posted a couple back?

Thanks
Lunchbucket
 
It it was me, I'd make one big sump. ;)

Since you want to use two units, I'd put them on a full sheet of plywood that is evenly supported from beneath.

Supporting heavy plumbing on the end will avoid stressing the bulkheads.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12374966#post12374966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
It it was me, I'd make one big sump. ;)

Since you want to use two units, I'd put them on a full sheet of plywood that is evenly supported from beneath.

Supporting heavy plumbing on the end will avoid stressing the bulkheads.
Click to expand...

Sounds good.

I'll get it cut soon, supported, painted, and installed :D

Easier to get a sump out to slide it on the sheet of ply then try to get it up and out of the steel frame

Lunchbucket
 
I've read too many threads and I absolutely can't recall what your tank is made of, and yes I'm being lazy and not scrolling back :). It wouldn't hurt to cut a small piece of the same foam and put back in the hole you left for the overflows, but I'm not sure it's necessary. If it gives you piece of mind though, it's a great thing ;). If you have the piece you cut out that would be so easy to just trim a section and slide under the back of the tank after it's in place for hopefully the final fit.
 
Papa - 3/4" Acrylics all around w/ 4" eurobrace

Ordered 50lbs of Marco rocks yesterday. They are on back order and should ship first week of May I think

Got the ledge all glued and nailed in and cut the bottom board for the sump. It is 2 pieces and the advantec stuff that has a tongue and grove so I can attach them together. I need to figure out how hi I need to make the frame that will sit under the plywood shelf under the tank. Might have to get it close and use some foam to float out the inconsistencies in the stand bottom height and/or the concrete.

Getting the doors put on the tank room but having troube putting some rubber weather stripping behind them and still getting them to close :( I need to shim the hinges out some so that they will shut flat but I need the rubber weather stripping to help seal up the than room from the other room

Lunchbucket
 
Me and my husband went up to Mass. to pick up our Marco rock. Does help i lived there up until we gotten marries :)
 
Got the Advantek subfloor stuff cut for under the stand
IMG_5535.JPG


As you can see it's 2 pieces split in the middle for a front 1/2 and a back 1/2. The joints have a tongue and a grove so I can attach them. Might throw some glue in there and then attach them.
IMG_5536.JPG


I wonder what this Advantek stuff is rated at for what the span should be?? I measured and the braces leave about 20" of the advantec front to back unbraced. This stuff seems REALLY rigid and I'm wondering if I really need to brace the bottom up. After all it is made for housing sub floor and shouldn't be made to bow at all??

Lunchbucket
 
Flooring is always well supported. You are about to put how many gallons of weight on two small footprints?

Just put some wood under there finally.
 
I'll make some "legs" to stuff under there out of 2x6 pieces. Should do the trick and I can make all of them to size in case different parts of the floor are off a little.

I am planning on coating it w/ 2 coats of Zinzer bathroom primer and 2-3coats of paint. Thinking of using the blue floor paint as it should be tougher I would think?

Lunchbucket
 
I don't know about the paint thing. That is going to get some serious abuse. Maybe some sort of epoxy resin or truck bed coating would be a better idea. Of course, it all costs money, but at least with it in sections you could coat it outside where it won't fume up your house.
 
I wonder what the porch and floor pant is? That is what I used on the tank room floor. I think it is tougher then regular paint but less then the garage floor epoxy. I'll look tonight.

Good call on the abuse especially if you have to slide the sumps out at all.

I'll check...$$$ never end!!

Lunchbucket
 
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