Stand Designing 101

[Lee_Bay]

Anybody have any blueprints/ plans on tanks stands???

 

[1package]

What size are you looking to build?

I have built a couple, have some photos. I am pretty sure I got my ideas mainly from the DIY forum.

 

[Lee_Bay]

75 Gallon. 48" x 18". I've been looking on the DIY forum. There are some very talented people out there. I'd like to see some pics if you have them handy.

 

[phljess]

If I were you, I would look into building one out of some plywood. You can make it look good and ply is very strong. I have also built my own stand but I still have not put doors on it yet. One Package knows how to build a really nice stand. Steve Beaver also seems to know alot about wood working.

 

[jmccown]

Nothing to it. You just have to know what your strength joints are in your design and make sure it is put together good. I made all three of mine at my house. Just plan it out before the hammer starts swinging.

 

[1package]

As soon as I find out how to link to a previous thread, I will show you some photos of mine.

The thing is a board or plywood sitting upright will hold a ton of weight as opposed to lying on its side. I think the plywood/particle board type stands are plenty strong to sit against your wall. They are just never tall enough and I like to know that I can move the stand without completely dumping the contents and removing the tank. Also, it is great to have a door or doors on the sides, which is almost never an option.

 

[stevebeaver]

plywood is the way to go, especially the oak cabinet grade, leaves more room inside the stand also. one sheet will do a stand easily and prob the canopy if you cut it right.

 

[Lee_Bay]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Would still love to see some pics if anyone has any.

 

[stevebeaver]

here's some pics of mine:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/steveandcrystalb/tank4.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/steveandcrystalb/tank3.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a119/steveandcrystalb/tank2.jpg

 

[Lee_Bay]

Nice!!! Any others??

 

[crabfan]

Nice going Steve

Nice going Steve

That is a very nice design.

Did you just sketch it out yourself or find plans in the DIY forums?

 

[stevebeaver]

you prob think im crazy , but i just started cutting, only thing i knew where the H X W X L i needed, cut the boards to make up those dimensions, and then made the openings for the front doors, so that they were evenly spaced. and then put the trim on.

 

[1package]

If this works it is a link to some photos of the one I made.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=586298

 

[1package]

Looks like it worked. If I were to do it again, I would do it the exact same way. Now the canopy is a different story, I would definitely make changes to it.

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9585523#post9585523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevebeaver
you prob think im crazy , but i just started cutting, only thing i knew where the H X W X L i needed, cut the boards to make up those dimensions, and then made the openings for the front doors, so that they were evenly spaced. and then put the trim on.

That pretty much how Dave would do it too :lol: