need help with stand build

[reefjunkie42]

i am building a stand for a acrylic tank. i have a few questions.

1.) what should i use to waterproof the inside?

2.)what should i use to put the aquarium on? plywood? an absorbent pad? what kind of pad...im kind of lost as for what to use.

3.)what should I use to put on the wood of the hood that will rest on the acrylic and not scratch the tank? something soft or absorbent that you cannot see and doesnt effect the visual appeal of the tank. any pictures would really help with that one^^ as how other people dealt with this problem. also how should i make the Leds accessible in the hood?

 

[es1887]

1. A maine grade paint or varnish.

2. plywood would work just fine some people use foam under the tank.

3. I wouldnt worry about the hood scratching the tank too much. If you build the frame for the hood outa 1x2 then it will only be 3/4" around that will be touching the tank. How about a door on the front of the hood. Here is a picture of the last one i built for a woman who has a led pendant. My camera crapped out on me the last time i went over there so all i had to use was my phone.

 

[reefjunkie42]

nice if that acrylic? im going to use internal hinges and hide them.

 

[reefjunkie42]

i also heard it is a "must" to put foam under? and as far a waterproofing what about kilz?

 

[reefjunkie42]

by the way what kind of screws do I use to create the frame? and what size lumber for a 60x30x24 180 gal tank? will 2x4 be sufficient or should the frame be contstructed of 2x6 or something else

 

[es1887]

It def. is not a "must" unless you have a totally rimless tank. kilz will do, but the best protection is given by anything that is a marine grade finish. 2x4s will do, but you will have to put center braces in, 2x6 can handle the weight without any bracing. I would use 2 5/8" #25 star drive screws.

 

[reefjunkie42]

i don't want center braces between the doors if thats what you mean

 

[mcoomer]

You can get away with 2X4 for the stand construction. You'll need to build it right to ensure it can support the weight. Use the template as a guide. For a 60" tank I'd put two vertical braces in the back. For the front it depends on how many doors you plan on having. If two doors I'd put a brace in the center. For three doors, two braces appropriately spaced to fit the door face frame. Pick up a pocket hole jig for drilling pilot holes for your screws. You can buy plugs to fill the hole or leave them open but either way pocket hole screws are the way to go. It's about $20 for the basic Kreg setup.

Spar varnish to waterproof. Sand your surfaces but only with about 120 or maybe 150 grit paper. Put down several coats, allowing each to dry thoroughly. Pretty simple to do.

As for lining the hood to prevent it from scratching the tank I'd probably not worry about it but if you wish you could use a spray adhesive and some felt strips to cushion the canopy. It would be pretty easy to cut a few strips of wood, paint or stain them, spray the bottom with spray adhesive and mount some felt. Screw those wood strips to the inside of the canopy so that they rest on the the edge of the tank and you're done. You could also put some small rubber dots on the bottom of those wood strips and be done in seconds. Just go to Home Depot and ask about rubber dots for cabinet door frames and they'll point you in the right direction.

Finally, measure twice, measure again, and then cut. Trust me on this! Nothing like realizing that you have exactly the piece of lumber that you need to finish your project and then cutting it too short. Yeah, another trip to the lumber yard.

Mike

 

[reefjunkie42]

thanks mike i will do that. but as far as the center brace...it is not an option. the sump is too large and needs to be able to fit through the 2 doors in the front. the door opening is going to be 40 inches wide. i can use supports in the back no problem

 

[mcoomer]

40" long sump. What's the depth front to back? On my setup, I can drain the sump, disconnect the plumbing and slide it out the side. If yours isn't too deep you might be able to go that route. Can't recall exactly but my sump is like 36 X 20 X 20, or something like that.

Steel stand unpopulated:

Sump in place:

Skin on:

Mike

 

[reefjunkie42]

nice set up mine is 30 deep. i just really want a cabinet style stand with the sump hidden that can be removed from the front. i don't mind braces in the back i just want to be able to access the sump w/o a center brace.

 

[Bigdaddy_wood]

Nice setup

 

[ticklem]

Here is my thread build you can check out. I just used regular stain and and polyurethane.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=253229

 

[ticklem]

Heres some pics of the build too

 

[reefjunkie42]

that looks sweet man what size reef octo skimmer? how do you like it? btw i really like the hinges that is what id like im also thinking of magnetic doors