Stand suggestions

[planejane]

I'm about to start building a stand for a 75g tank. Anyone have any " I wish I would have done that when I was building mine" ideas. Like should I make it longer and/or wider than the tank, can go up to 58 X 24. Should I use 4X4's or conjoined 2X2's, or what for the frame. Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[fishdoc11]

Make it tall enough to fit a decent skimmer under but short enough that you can still reach in it. Also make a door in the side or make the front large enough to be able to take your sump out if you need to. The only reason I can think to make it longer is for a place to set a chiller or a fuge next to the tank. Also use stainless or coated screws or bolts to put the frame together, not nails.

 

[planejane]

Good idea about the side door, Chris. I'll do that. I plan to make it at least 38" tall, I hate to have to bend over to view stuff. I'd need a ladder to reach even if it was on the floor!

 

[fishdoc11]

You might also want tp make the sump high enough off the floor to where you can start a suction to clean the bottom out.

 

[Wildman]

You might think about a fan if you are not using a chiller. I just changed my sump so I could get a fan inside my stand. I also cut some vent holes and covered them with speaker grills.

Someone else might have a different opinion but, I think 4X4s are overkill. 2X4s should be fine. I also used construction adhesive along with the screws.


Chris is dead on with the side door. The more access the better. Even where you don't think you will need it.

 

[AquaVolGP]

For my 120 gallon. I used 4x4's for the legs and 2x6 for the top frame. All put together with lag bolts. It can hold a house. Then you should have plenty of room cause you don't need any other legs. Just make sure it is tall enough to get a good skimmer. You can always use a stool if it is tall. My tank is 43 inches in the air. Bar height.

 

[Wildman]

For my 120 gallon. I used 4x4's for the legs and 2x6 for the top frame.

Good point. With 2X4s I would have braced the middle. That eliminates this need.

 

[fishdoc11]

Another thing you can do is scab 2 x 4's together to make 4 x 4's. That makes it a little cheaper. That will also allow the 2 boards to counteract any natural twist the opposite boards might have.

 

[planejane]

I was thinking 38" for height, is this enough for a good sized skimmer?

 

[Runner]

Here is the link to my 75G stand build. I still have the plan sketch I made somewhere if you are interested in looking at them.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3217240

One thing I definitely would have changed is I would have put access from the side.

 

[planejane]

Very nice work Scott. Did that 30g sump set up work well for you? I think I will make the stand as much wider than the tank as I can, may be able to squeeze in 60", to make room for other equipment.

 

[Runner]

Thanks. I think the space for my skimmer was a little tight the way I layed it out. The tank was slightly tall for my skimmer, too, and I had to put a support under it to lift it about 2 inches. But the overall idea worked well. I really liked the refugium area -- I had more interesting small life hanging out there amongst the rocks and macro than I had in the main tank.