So... I brought a used Eheim 1262 pump for my return with my tank and I kept putting off and putting off getting the correct hose adapter. I rigged the return hose to it with zip ties and of course it would always come off after a period of time spraying water all over the place until I finally decided to get the correct adapter and solved the problem. Well this went on for a couple of years and I finally did this last November.
This weekend I decided that the salt creep / wood degradation on the right side of the tank from that issue was to detrimental to leave unattended especially with new led lights on the way. It was time to build a new stand. The original tank stand was an older used stand with an attached canopy / tank wrap around. While the wrap around was cool, with the canopy being attached I could not put my lights where I wanted them and the lights just sat on top of my glass tops.
I searched around ( 'googled' for you young folks... ) and found a few designs that I liked and discussed the issue with my boss aka the wife.
I wanted to share this tank build with you so here it is. I am building the stand right now and the Saturday after next I will probably build the canopy ( This Sat I will be in Columbia for the 2014 Carolina Aquarium Expo ). As my helper demonstrates it's not difficult at all..
In one video I found a stand builder who builds using this design quite often, claimed that it could hold 4,500lb according to this chart and the shearing strength of wood. He was currently building a 300 and a 220 gallon tank stands.
Link: http://www.woodworkweb.com/woodwork-...strengths.html
While I have built a ton of stuff I am not quite sure about that claim but I guarantee you it will hold a 75 gallon tank with absolutely no issues. I am sure in fact that it will hold at least 2,000 ~ 2,500 lbs easily.The top has two support beams to prevent the tank from bowing in the middle. Mind you the base top and bottom are 2 x 6's and the vertical wood is 2 x 4's.
The stand is now all assembled and screwed together with the top and bottom wood secured. You will notice that I added a vertical back support from a piece of 2 x 6 that I had laying around. It should not need this as the design is specifically for not needing a center vertical brace but I threw it in anyways since it was right there. It is fastened with L brackets. I used deck screws for this project as thy will resist the nature of saltwater and are tasked for outdoor conditions.
This is the last unfinished picture with the back left screw wood riser cut and the top cut for the drain and return. All nice and level and square all the way around
This week I will post more pictures as I add the finish, trim and stain the stand. ( The wife picked stain versus paint on this one and what the boss wants the boss gets )
This weekend I decided that the salt creep / wood degradation on the right side of the tank from that issue was to detrimental to leave unattended especially with new led lights on the way. It was time to build a new stand. The original tank stand was an older used stand with an attached canopy / tank wrap around. While the wrap around was cool, with the canopy being attached I could not put my lights where I wanted them and the lights just sat on top of my glass tops.
I searched around ( 'googled' for you young folks... ) and found a few designs that I liked and discussed the issue with my boss aka the wife.
I wanted to share this tank build with you so here it is. I am building the stand right now and the Saturday after next I will probably build the canopy ( This Sat I will be in Columbia for the 2014 Carolina Aquarium Expo ). As my helper demonstrates it's not difficult at all..
In one video I found a stand builder who builds using this design quite often, claimed that it could hold 4,500lb according to this chart and the shearing strength of wood. He was currently building a 300 and a 220 gallon tank stands.
Link: http://www.woodworkweb.com/woodwork-...strengths.html
While I have built a ton of stuff I am not quite sure about that claim but I guarantee you it will hold a 75 gallon tank with absolutely no issues. I am sure in fact that it will hold at least 2,000 ~ 2,500 lbs easily.The top has two support beams to prevent the tank from bowing in the middle. Mind you the base top and bottom are 2 x 6's and the vertical wood is 2 x 4's.
The stand is now all assembled and screwed together with the top and bottom wood secured. You will notice that I added a vertical back support from a piece of 2 x 6 that I had laying around. It should not need this as the design is specifically for not needing a center vertical brace but I threw it in anyways since it was right there. It is fastened with L brackets. I used deck screws for this project as thy will resist the nature of saltwater and are tasked for outdoor conditions.
This is the last unfinished picture with the back left screw wood riser cut and the top cut for the drain and return. All nice and level and square all the way around
This week I will post more pictures as I add the finish, trim and stain the stand. ( The wife picked stain versus paint on this one and what the boss wants the boss gets )
