So it begins, part two (120G)

[carb850]

I had a 90G build thread that I started late last fall but since the tank is no longer 90G I figured I should start a new thread for it.

Details so far;
120G RR Aqueon tank
40G sump
H&S A150-F2001 external recirculating skimmer
Sunlight Supply Maristar fixture
Tunze 6101 w/ single controller
Tunze Osmolator

 

[carb850]

Here is the current stand design I have. This is a work in progress.

2x4 frame with 2x6 around the top for support. Overall stand height is 34 1/4" currently but likely to change a little.

This is my current thought on skinning the stand. The white panels will be covered in formica and the doors will be stained high grade plywood.

Any input or comments are welcome, unless it is negative

 

[firefish2020]

Good design, what did you use for the concept images?

 

[carb850]

Google SketchUp. It is a fantastic tool if you haven't tried it before. I just found it a few weeks ago. Free and easy to use!

 

[mcox33]

I like it, as it is. much simpler than mine. But I always overdo everything. that is why it takes me 10 years to do what should take a week.

 

[rnhrtfan]

carb nice design...only comment I have would be to make sure there is enough clear height in the stand to accept the skimmer height...the skimmer appears to be around 28 inches or so high....if the stand is only 34 1/4" high and the bottom is raised off the floor what looks to be from your sketch at least 6" then that would only leave you 28"-29" from the floor of the stand to the bottom of the tank... which may not be a problem with removing the collectoin cup but may be a problem discharging the skimmer into the sump...this was the problem with mine and was the reason for swithing the sump from 29G to 20G....since the footprint of my skimmer wouldn't fit in my sump and still leave room for a small fuge and return I had to consider the sump height and the height of the skimmer discharge....shew that got lengthy...LOL just my .25 worth...

 

[carb850]

Your right, and that is why the height may change a little

I believe the height inside the stand came out to right at 26.5" and the advertised height of the skimmer is 26" (I haven't verified this yet). You don't need much room to remove the cup but I certainly want more than 0.5". So, I have to decide to jack up the stand higher, lower the shelf in some fashion, or do away with the lower shelf completely.

Luckily, the discharge on the skimmer is higher than the sump, by a hair. So I will be able to use the 40G breeder and not need to jack up the skimmer at all.

 

[phljess]

good luck, it looks like it is coming together nicely.

 

[firefish2020]

LOL I thought that was sketch Up. It's an interesting program to be sure but it just wouldn't be right for me to use a free 3D program after all the $$$ I spent building my CGI workshop, my wife would kill me. Either way the idea looks good, I like the open bay door, that's what we are working with on my stand but bracing with no front center support adds a ton of weight, imagine that on a 6 foot scale and you see where I stand on the shell.

 

[carb850]

With my 120, I felt 2x4's may or may not of worked, so to be safe I'm opting for 2x6's on the top. For a 210G, I swear I think I would go with a metal stand. I considered it for my 120.

 

[coralreefer]

Looks like it's coming together nicely.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12165256#post12165256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carb850
With my 120, I felt 2x4's may or may not of worked, so to be safe I'm opting for 2x6's on the top. For a 210G, I swear I think I would go with a metal stand. I considered it for my 120.

I like the open bay door, that's what we are working with on my stand but bracing with no front center support adds a ton of weight, imagine that on a 6 foot scale and you see where I stand on the shell.

Mine is framed with 1x4s and doesn't have a front center support, imagine that on a 7 foot scale.
It's all how the stand is joined, braced and skinned.

 

[firefish2020]

It's all how the stand is joined, braced and skinned

Yep thats the key.

 

[carb850]

The skin on my stand will give very little structural benefit. I'm building it so the frame can fully support the load.

 

[radone]

Good idea, but the 2X6's are a little overkill, doublr the 2X4 on top and you'll get more head room. Still be just as strong and will support the 120 just fine.
Is that going to be one solid piece of formica? That's expensive stuff, easy to care for and clean though. I take it the top piece above the door is covering the tanks trim right?

I would put flat pieces on the bottom of the legs as it will lessens the gouging on that wood floor your redoing.

Looks good though IMHO

 

[carb850]

Thanks everyone.

I chose the 2x6 because I feel it will be the easiest for me to build. The only disadvantage is that it makes my effective door opening a tiny bit smaller but for my equipment inside the stand I don't think it effects it at all. Actually, it might be easier for the overflow plumbing by only having the one board along the rear edge as opposed to having them double up. I haven't measured but I feared that doubling up the top boards would possibly interfere.

I know little to nothing about Formica, I was just hoping to buy it in sheets of thin film that can be attached to the wood panels. The sides would be covered in a single sheet if possible. I even thought about calling around to local cabinet makers to see if I cut the stand out if they could do the Formica for me. I believe to do it right you need a router and special attachment.

The piece on the top of the front is just to hide the 2x6 frame. I could do a door that would run to the top but when opened I would be having the top 5 1/2" blocked by the top runner. If that made for a cleaner looking exterior then maybe I should consider it. I thought it just balanced out the white part on the bottom.

Colors haven't been biked out either. My floor is oak, my trip is a light stained wood. My first option is white formica with dark stained doors the other would be to use grey formica then have very lightly stained doors. The doors would be Maple or Birch high grade plywood either way.

That is a good idea with the Formica on the bottoms of the 2x4's, I had not considered that.

 

[carb850]

Not a big update but I thought I would bump my thread anyhow

Pictured is the tank I purchased from Stumpy08, after a paint job on the stand The rock came from Nodwell which was selling on this board a few months ago, I have about 50 more lbs I got from him waiting on the main display to be setup.

I keep going back and forth how to use this tank but in the end I decided to leave it setup as a quarantine tank. It might house some softie frags as well. I still hope to pick up a low dough hospital tank before long. My 10G is probably too small for most fish.

 

[carb850]

Oh, in addition to the color combination I posted above here is my other idea. Designing what I like now is easy, designing what I will still like in 5 years is a bit more difficult.

 

[fishmon]

Is that a red nose in that picture?

 

[carb850]

Red nose?

 

[fishmon]

pit bull