MY 75 Gallon RR project and soon to be "former setup" DIAL UP BEWARE!

[steve68]

Nice!
u better hurry up it looks like it does not have much to go.

 

[db_triggerfish]

Thanks for a great how to guide. Your project is a work of art. please keep everyone posted.

 

[concept3]

Thanks for the compliment dB_Triggerfish!





Stand is about 1/2 way built.

Here's the materials I used (so far)

2 pieces of 4 X 8 Maple 5/8" (more like 3/4") plywood.
1/4 box of 1.5 inch drywall screws
3 tubes heavy duty Liquid nails
1/4 box of 3" Galvanized Deck screws
5 pieces of 2" X 3" pine

I went with Maple plywood since I plan on staining it this time to match my floors. I'm not doing flat black anymore like my current stand, I dunno, maybe I'll go cherrywood or mahogany finish instead of the natural maple finish.




My new tank dimensions are as follows: 60 in X 20 in X 20 High

One of the plywood sheets were cut 59.5" X 33" (and I took home the rest) This is for the front.

The other was cut 61" X 42" (then split in two to make 61" X 21") these are going to be the top and bottom. The rest of the remaining wood was cut into two pieces each measuring 33" X 21" (these are for the sides.

I proceeded to put the front, top and bottom together. 5/8 on 5/8 (basically, no framework initially). I used a lot of glue , a steady hand and 1 1/2 inch coarse drywall screws. I find the screws are stronger than conventional nails and better than wood screws.

Next came the sides. In essence, I'm building the stand from the outside in. I find the 5/8 inch ply is easier to work with since you can just throw them together and is extremely rigid not to mention strong. I believe that the composite nature of the plywood is strong enough to hold together given the right construction.

The finished "box" measures 61 inches long by almost 34 inches tall by 21 inches deep. Now the internal reinforcing is next.

It's a little hard to comprehend without pictures, but unfortunately went to my friend's garage (where I'm building the stand) unprepared with no camera. I'll try to work on the stand sunday, so i'll have a few pics then.

 

[steve68]

i can give u a coulpe of tips on how to make the finish look nice.
it all comes down to sanding it has to be as smooth as a baby's a.. ,after u stain it see what kind of polyurathane finish u want,i all ways have gone with semi gloss but after seens Newsalts set up i know my next one is going to be gloss,at home depot they sell real fine steelwooll for final finsh in the stain department, after u get the stand stain u scuff it with the steelwooll & then add u first coat of polyurathane & u repeat the process over & over, i do it about 4 times it does take some time but the results are worth it, try it on a test strip of wood & u will be amazed.

 

[concept3]

I will definitely do that. I want a super gloss glossy shiny gloss finish! The only problem I may run into is the weather. Polyurethane is known not to like weather under 70 degress. Still contemplating on red mahogany or maple for this project.

 

[Reefdrumz]

I used the Polycrylic on my stand, I loved it. I put about 4 coats on and it's like glass. Plus it doesn't smell bad if you are doing it indoors. But like Steve said, it all comes down to the sanding.

 

[concept3]

Ok.... just got a call from Miracles in glass. Monday, the Eurobracing is going on. The tank should be ready to ship by next friday. i spoke with Derek and told him I won't be ready until the 2nd week of November and he said that's perfect since that would give the silicone enough time to cure. he'll shoot me more pics by wednesday.

Plus, the stand and hood isn't done yet! Arggggggg!

 

[steve68]

Sweet!
u might have to heat the garage where u are working cuz it is true u need a warmer Temperture & it does suck cuz u have to vent out the fumes.

 

[concept3]

Stand is in progress

Stand is in progress

Here's how the pieces of 5/8 plywood came together forming the "box" for my stand.

Then, I places 2X3's on the inside paying close attention to how they are attached providing the support for ALL 1200+ lbs of tank weight. I also used 2 more bottles of Liquid nails today and finished a 1 lb box (I think) of the 3" deck screws to make sure everything holds together. The excess glue is not truly excess. I did that to "waterproof" the bottom.

The center REAR brace for the stand. I'm not putting one up front but am thinking on doubling up on the 2X3 above.

And this is how it looks underneath the top panel.

NOW, DO YOU GUYS THINK IT WILL BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND TO HOLD 1300-1500 LBS OF DEADWEIGHT?

Please let me know if you think the bracing is enough. I know there are Architects and Engineers out there.....

 

[Zoom]

Looking good !!!!

 

[concept3]

I am using a frame for the hood to save weight. It will be skinned with 1/8" plywood sheeting after the framework is complete. This is how I started building the front panel.

Front frame:
Qt 2 of 59.5" long 1 X 2" pine (straight as the eye can see)
Qt 2 of 10.5" long 1 X 2" pine (uprights)

Sides: cut out of extra 5/8 plywood, 21" w X 14" high, Qt 2

I left a little bit of a gap for the plywood skin I'll be putting on later. The line on the inside panel is where I plan on cutting the side to accomodate for my "open sesame" hood

 

[michaelm2431]

Looking good Merve. Is the front panel of the stand 1 continious piece of plywood? I built my 125gal stand that way with 200lbs. of rock in the tank, and have no deflection after a year. Keep the pics. comming.

 

[concept3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8436602#post8436602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michaelm2431
Looking good Merve. Is the front panel of the stand 1 continious piece of plywood? I built my 125gal stand that way with 200lbs. of rock in the tank, and have no deflection after a year. Keep the pics. comming.

Yes, it is one piece of 5/8 plywood. It is then braced with a 2X3 inside.

Did you use bracing inside the stand or was it just plain plywood?

 

[michaelm2431]

I used bracing in the corners and top and bottom, just like you have it.

 

[michaelm2431]

Another tip on the finish. Use a wood sealer before you stain it. The sealer will give you a more uniform stain finish. Let the stain dry completly, then sand (Steel wool). When wood gets wet from stain or anything, mirco hairs will stick up in the wood finish. So, sand, sand, and sand again.

 

[steve68]

Looks good Merv.
it looks to me like it should have no problem holding the tank
i see no harm in adding another piece for reinforcement in the
front that will give u piece of mind.
as long as the weight spreads out even u are good to go.

 

[concept3]

my friend was making fun of the stand and everyone in his house who saw the stand asked "so how heavy is the tank again?" and then laughed

I'm gonna leave the front open because I need the room just in case I need a place to sleep after my girl finds out how much more money I'm dumping into this thing :lol: No, really, I need to keep the front open in case I need to change anything as far as equipment, pump and sump go. I've seen too many people scratch their noggins trying to figure out how to change their sump after the tank is filled with the conventional stands that are bought since they have a center brace.

Only problem now is finding a door that spans 24" wide X 22" tall since I can't make a nice looking door to match the stand. I'd hate to make a door out of plain 5/8 wood since I think that will detract from the stand. I was thinking of using tinted glass as well, like the TV furniture stands, but am afraid of breaking it, one more thing to worry about.

Any cabinet makers out there who can make me one? I can pay in frags or cash, your preference :lol:

So anyways, depending on what I may do today, I might install the trim and then the REAL fun begins!

*sanding*

 

[sinkingbeach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8436890#post8436890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by concept3
I've seen too many people scratch their noggins trying to figure out how to change their sump after the tank is filled with the conventional stands that are bought since they have a center brace.

Scratching my head :mad2:

 

[steve68]

U can make one u have good DIY skills
Make sure it is square.

i used a finished nail gun an a angle with wood glue

when it was done i routed 1/4 inch off the wood so the piece
of wood would drop in.

& after that all u have to do is sand sand sand

 

[RichT]

Maybe you could find doors at HD or Lowe's that you like. The one's on the left and right have hinges for constant access and one in the middle has some type of dog ears on the back for easy removal.