Stand Ideas for a 460 Gallon Reef

[ReefDoberman]

I am purchasing a 96 x 37 1/2 x 30 1/2 tank (about 460 gallons) and am building the stand into a wall in my basement. Unfortunately I do not have the space for a fish room behind the tank so all filtration and equipment will be housed underneath. Obviously I will need lots of room to fit everything I will need but I am also nervous about compromising the structure by leaving it as open as possible. I want to build everything out of studs. Can anyone offer plans or suggestions?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Spinny]

I'm currently working on a new setup similar to a DT volume as yours. I swear, the other day while looking at all my hard labor and money, I thought to myself how happy I am with the way my stand had turned out. I too contemplated building my stand out of wood, and I am very glad I didn't. I even purchased all of the lumber for the stand construction, only to find it all warped by the time I got to it. A friend and I welded my current stand, and I ended up coating it with truck bed liner. If you are concerned about space, a steel stand can provide more room than a wooden one would.

Another thought is a cinder block type with steel beams running across and plywood on top. Others on RC have gone this route.

Good Luck, with whatever you decide.