Tank overhaul/Stand build

[Killion]

Hey everyone.

I'm starting this thread to get some ideas and feedback from the community about what you guys think I should do.

To start I just got a new 46 gallon bow-front tank I want to set up. I currently have a 55 gallon/40 gallon sump system. I just like the look and design on the bow-fronts and want to move my 55 into my 46. So the questions are:

How should I build this bow-front stand..
Should I use the 55,40, or a 20 gallon tank for my sump..
Regarding the second question the stand will have to be altered for whichever sump I use.

I wanted to free up space in my living room since my 55 gallon/stand take up a good amount of space. However I do like the idea of a huge 55 gallon sump/fuge.

:headwally: Choices Choices!!

Anyways any ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated.
Can't wait to start building!

 

[Killion]

I think I've come up with a plan.:idea:

I did a rough sketch so let me know what you think.
I'll use the 55 gallon tank as the sump and encase the 46 in the stand.

Some of the measurements may be slightly off but it's late and I'm tired..haha

I think this will turn out pretty good. If I section off the sump I can make a pretty good size fuge for this 46 tank.

 

[Sleepiness]

Is the bowfront hanging out of the front of the stand?

 

[Killion]

The bow will be extended out but I'm going to build the frame extended out as well so it will be supported.

 

[Killion]

Well my whole goal of this build is to save space in my living room.
My current stand is 50"x23" not too big but big enough.

I have done the math on this new stand and these would be the measurements.

L W
55 sump - 54"x 22"
40 sump - 42"x 25"
20 sump - 36"x 18 1/2"

I really want to use the 55 so I can have a big fuge and do a wet dry system as well but that's not saving any space and then I'll have a 55 and 40 gal tank just sitting there..of course I'll want to set them up so that will be even more money on equipment.

Anyone have any modern designs on a stand that is space saving and would look good with a bowfront tank?

 

[Killion]

Updates.

So finally today it's not raining so I got to start building today after work.:bounce1:

-Work Station.
-Cutting wood.
-Drill is dead.....:angryfire:

Apparently it hasn't been charging like I thought it had been...

Guess I'll start designing the canopy and cut that wood as well...Maybe I can start putting all this together later tonight or I guess maybe tomorrow after work.

 

[Arrgh]

Ya get it all ready then screw it together, you should have a decent charge after 45 minutes or so, if not borrow another drill.

 

[Killion]

got some updates for anyone following along.

Woke up late for work today so I figured I'd just take the day off and have a 3 day weekend and start building my stand today.

Uploaded some pictures for you guys to follow.
Headed to lowes to get some more wood to cover it and reinforce it.
Also need to start working on the sides and canopy for it. Let me know what you guys think so far.

 

[Webmanny]

This is an awesome build. I was actually looking to build a bowfront stand myself for my 36 gallon and you just gave me some great ideas. Subscribing to follow your progress.

Keep up the good work!!!

 

[Killion]

Thanks web I appreciate it.

Here is a picture of the bottom half of the stand. The 2x4 going across the top is where the back of the tank will sit so all my plumbing has tons of room to flow down behind it into the sump. I think this is all I'm going to do for the framing of the stand. All now is to build the sides going up and the canopy which will all be one piece so I can pick it up and sit it down on the stand then screw it together.

I'll start that soon hopefully tonight.

Bonus picture of tank on the stand, just to get an idea.:rollface:

 

[Killion]

last post for today.

Got all the wood cut for the sides/canopy tonight. Started putting it together and drills dead again..haha:facepalm:

So I guess me and my little helper (Daughter, her names Madison) will assemble the rest tomorrow but here is a peak at the base of it.

I'll update some more tomorrow.

:fish1:

 

[Legalreefing]

Just a suggestion but cut 2x4s to go in between the horizontal frames (top and bottom) in front of the existing horizontal 2x4s. This will take the pressure of the nails/screws. Will make it rock solid. Looks good though!

 

[Killion]

Thanks for the suggestion Legal. I was wondering if anyone noticed I didn't put any there.

I usually add 2x4's in the corners on my other stand builds I was debating doing it on this one. If anything I can only add 1 to each corner on the front/back on top of the seams of the horizontal box 2x4's because I need to leave the ends at least 13" so I can slide the 55 gallon sump tank in and out.
I will need to pick up 1 more 2x4 if I add in the extra support.

I guess I should add those at least. Take some of the load off the screws. Appreciate it.

 

[Killion]

Well here is the sides/canopy as of now.

Still need to build the actual canopy for the tank and I need to add more support to the 2x2's to keep it steady and hold it's form.

Didn't turn out really how I thought it would..any suggestions?

 

[Killion]

So here it is with the tank on it. Let me know what you guys think.

Still have to lay the plywood down and around it and probably reinforce it but you get the idea. Have to figure out the mounting for my led's as well but that shouldn't be hard.

I guess I need to go back and remeasure everything on the top half because to me it is twisted a little and bugging the hell out of me.
I might just sleep on it and see what ideas I wake up with. Who knows I may redesign the top half..:headwallblue:

Let me know what you guys think of it. Any ideas or feedback greatly appreciated.

 

[Killion]

Hey guys haven't really got anything done today but I'd figure I'd post the little I did manage to get done.

All I was able to do so far today was lay the plywood for the bowfront and for the 55 gal sump underneath. Still need to pick up some more 2x4's and to skin the rest of the stand. Other then that still going good I guess ha. I don't know what I'm more excited about, this build or when I finish I'm going to rip apart either my old 20gal or the 40gal and make it into a nano cube. That will be another thread though.

Hope this thread is giving people ideas for their bowfront builds.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Killion]

hey everyone it's been a couple of days since I've updated this thread so I figured I'd post some pictures of the progress made on the stand so far.

 

[Killion]

This is with a old T5 actinic bulb in there just to see what the lighting will look like and how the LEDs will be held about the tank.

Let me know what you guys think.:beer:

by the way the light rails were made for the LEDs thats why the T5 is crooked along it. Don't worry the LEDs will sit very smoothly on them.

 

[PRSPLYR]

Nice wood work skilz...

 

[Killion]

Thanks, not as good as I want to be but I think I'm at least getting better at it.