Need your Input regarding DIY stand

[Team Freddy]

I am thinking of building a DIY stand for the new tank I picked up. I am debating on what size tank to build. Thought I would post up and see what you guys suggested.

Dimensions are as follow:

The Tank : 20X20X20
The Sump : 30X12X15

I guess the best solution would be to find a sump that is closer in size to the tank. At the moment I would like to try and pull this off with the sump I have.

The Current Stand I have for my Solana Measures 22LX22WX32H

I have thought maybe building a stand with the following dimensions; 36LX22WX32H or 48LX24WX32H

I guess my question is should I build a stand to accommodate this sump, find a sump that allows me to use the Solana Stand or build something similar.

If I build using the existing sump what LxWxH would you use?

 

[brian cummings]

so you bought Zrogst's/dan's setup I guess?- that's a nice sump, but yeah, no dice with the solana stand.

I personally don't like the looks of the solana stands anyway (that's why there is a brand new for about a year solana cube tank sitting, because I was going to make a more awesome stand for it!)

if you wanted to keep the stand, off the shelf solutions could be something like the eshopps rs75, their smallest sump (18x10x16). The smallest aqueon pro flex sump is 21x11x18- maybe won't fit. You can get either for under $200 new. Custom acrylic will cost you a fair amount more, I had something very similarly sized to the eshopps made, and If I remember right it was almost twice the lowest price you would see on the RS-75.

If you wanted to go the stand route- I presume that you have the tools and know how to do it. I would personally go with the first set of dimensions you listed, unless you have the space for that larger stand, and plan on fitting other stuff in there. The proportions of the larger stand might look a little weird with the 20" cube sitting atop it too. Mock them up in cardboard or foam core. That's what I do, it doesn't cost much, it doesn't take much time, and rather than trying to guess or imagine what something will look like in a space, you have a facsimile there. It sounds silly, but I personally know designers that have built literally garbage trucks out of foam core or store interiors- you can interact with the object/space directly.

 

[zrogst]

This is one of the largest problems I had with the setup: what to house it all in!? I think you will have to build something. Like Brian suggested, I would mock up some simple stand designed and see what looks the best.

I had always imagined going with something around the first dimensions you listed: 34long (or 32 or 36 long, depending on how it looked), and 22wide/32high; that would give you a nice lip around the tank! 1" on front and back and a 6-8" lip on either side for placing tools, food, etc while you clean/feed the tank.