Oversized 65G stand build

[wallyman424]

Hey, I posted a thread earlier and it seems it disappeared. Server fart? I'll try again.

I'm building a new system, have a 65G rimless tank (35x18x24) w/ 700gph GH overflow. I wanted to build a tank that had a little extra space underneath and an area to the side of the tank for storage. I've basically taken a standard 65g setup and lengthened it while keeping the vertical supports under the tanks rim. This should allow me to fit a 29 Aqueon as a sump. Also the lumber will be 2x4 for the frame. Will probably finish with oak and a white/ antique glazed paint.

Here's a render I came up with

I'm planning on buying the lumber in the next couple days, so any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Reefmedic79]

Looks like it would work great. I wish I had thought of doing one this way for my 40B. I ended up building a separate small cabinet to hide all my power cords, ATO, dosing pumps, and reactors to sit beside my stand.

 

[wallyman424]

Construction started. I've got the base and crossmembers finished. Hopefully will have time to finish the frame up by the end of the week.

 

[Dendrobates]

Great idea. I was trying to think of a way to extend the stand in order to hide the extra supplies as well, may have to borrow this design. Do you plan on having 3 doors?

 

[wallyman424]

Great idea. I was trying to think of a way to extend the stand in order to hide the extra supplies as well, may have to borrow this design. Do you plan on having 3 doors?

Planning on doing 2 doors and just having the right hand door opening be slightly obscured by that vertical beam. I'm also going to have the left side of the stand open up for easy removal of the sump.

 

[wallyman424]

Next up is to finish the bottom tray and caulk/paint the interior with kilz. Also have a few more deck screws to put in. Used a whole tube of liquid nails on that bad boy.

Thought of a question for you folks. My tank is rimless, but it has a plastic rim on the bottom around the edges of the tank. Do I need styrofoam under the tank?

 

[mcgyvr]

rimless tank = foam board under

 

[wallyman424]

rimless tank = foam board under

even if it has a plastic edge cover on the bottom?

 

[Soundwave]

I did the same... basically. This is my 40B during construction. I have my overflow on the right side so all my plumbing and all my lighting power supplies and vortech controller are in a small cabinet. 20L sump under the tank with a 5g acrylic frag tank in the small section under the electronics cabinet. Works great and everything is in order.

Plumbing shematic of just the return piping and showing the other tanks...

This one is darker but shows the skin going on and is, obviously, before the doors were all cut out.

 

[AB1002]

Cool idea. I never thought of turning a breeder into a peninsula.
Did you leave the canopy open or is it covered?

 

[Soundwave]

It's more of a half peninsula. It is in a corner of my living room where the left and front are viewable. The canopy is removable but the entire front is a door that opens up for full access. Lighting is currently two A360Ws and It's pretty darn nice.

 

[wallyman424]

Built a tabletop for it out of red oak, will look really nice when sanded and stained. Will hopefully have the rest of it skinned by next week.

Now to reiterate my question from before. My tank is rimless up top, but on the bottom has this plastic rim that runs the perimeter (pictured below). So if the tank is put down on a flat surface only the rim touches the surface. Does that mean I don't have to put foam under it? Or should I still do that?

 

[KeepNitReel]

No foam with trim

 

[wallyman424]

Almost done! All trimmed up, 1st coat of Killz 2 on the interior. Plan on staining the top with a dark mahogany and paint the exterior with an eggshell white and then sand it down and use an antique glaze on it. Hopefully will be done by the end of next weekend.

Not too shabby for my first real woodworking project.

 

[Odranoel]

Very very nice

 

[Rbs07fxstc]

That's a really nice stand. I'm needing a new stand for my 56g so I'm tagging along & probably gonna steal some ideas for a future project.

 

[Mysticalknight]

looks beautiful so far

 

[wallyman424]

Bump from the dead! Man I have been negligent of this project. Winter was unseasonably cold here in Charleston, SC and I learned my lesson years ago about trying to paint in <60 degree temps. That in addition to being in the midst of rebuilding my land rover motor have delayed the project. However FINALLY the stand is painted. Now I just need my cabinet doors to show up and I can start plumbing it in the garage and testing the setup.


Dark matte epoxy finish on the tabletop and an off white base with antiquing glaze and 2 coats of matte epoxy on the stand.