Wood or Steel Stand for your tank?

[tbone28]

Which is stronger?

Which stand type do you use?

Where did you have your stand built? Please specify if wood or steel.

Thanks

 

[prodman]

I have always built my own wood stands and feel that alot of people overbuild there stands. But I guess steel is stronger. What size tank would the stand be for?

 

[tbone28]

It will be for a 180g (6'x2'x2').

 

[prodman]

I think a wood stand built correctly would be more than strong enough. Some advantages for steel would be to make more large openings or to make a simple wood surround that could be removed to give complete access to the uderneath of tank. But if this is not needed for you I would stick with wood.

 

[tbone28]

You've hit my needs right on. I need a tank to fit the following needs:

1) Small footprint - same size (or slightly larger) than the tank's footprint.

2) large front access - My tank will be built into kitchen cabinetry, and will be sandwiched on both sides by pantries. My only access to the stand area will be direct, front access. I also plan on placing a 4' long sump. I'd like to be able to place and remove the sump without the need to breakdown the tank/stand.

Sounds like steel is the way to go? Or can a wood stand be built to fit my needs?

 

[prodman]

Is your tank glass or acrylic? A wood stand could be built for either imo. But it just depends on the builder.

 

[tbone28]

I'm going to buy a glass tank. I'm trying to stay away from custom tanks (cost), so my options are limited. Looks like AGA is my only choice right now. I'm trying to see if Lee MAR is willing to ship to Northern California. I heard they only ship to southern Cal and Arizona.

 

[prodman]

To get a leemar you would have to buy through a store in socal an have them ship to you. I would reccomend a perfecto for a store bought tank. I like better than AGA. You can find them at tropical haven in modesto. You will like the price too.

 

[tbone28]

What do you like about Perfecto more than the AGA?

I did a quick Google search on Perfectos, and it lists the 180g with the AGA Megaflow overflows. Do you know if Perfecto makes their own? I'd prefer a single, central overflow (versus the dual Megaflows)

 

[prodman]

i like that they use black silicone and they have corner overflows that takeup alot less room in the tank compared to the megafow. And they are cheaper.They are big on the east coast and I belive tropical haven is one of the only places to buy from on the west coast.

 

[tbone28]

Thanks for the lead. I'll call and speak with them. What have you heard in regards to structural integrity of the Perfecto vs. AGA (leaking, etc)?

 

[prodman]

Ive found nothing but positve remaks about them on rc. I have had mine for 2 years with no problems.

 

[Qwiv]

Do you want the doors below the tank to match your cabinets? I am assuming 2 pair of doors. If so, you can use a center post and wood is not a problem. It is also much cheaper. The sump will need to fit in one side, so you can't have a 5' long sump, but that works fine on my 180. The other side is full of equipment and a refugium.

Using steel can be a pain because you need to make sure the stand is protected from the salt water. Not a big deal in an open stand where you can see rust occur and attend to it, but in a built in situation where some parts of the stand will never be seen, you need to make sure the waterproofing is 100% as you won't see the damage until it is to late.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9685603#post9685603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prodman
Ive found nothing but positve remaks about them on rc. I have had mine for 2 years with no problems.

That's great to hear. I would believe more what I read here on RC than from my LFS. I called my local LFS, who carries AGA/Oceanic. They tell me they've heard bad things about Perfecto.

I called Tropical Haven and spoke to Ted (the owner), who said they stopped carrying AGA because of tanks that have leaked. The price is, like you said, cheaper than the AGA.

I started another thread asking about the 2 lines, and will wait for more responses before I committ, but at this point, am leaning towards the Perfecto tank.

 

[Sparkss]

we ended up going with steel for our stand.. The previous owners had built a stand out of wood, so it could easily go either way I suppose.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9686159#post9686159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Qwiv
Do you want the doors below the tank to match your cabinets? I am assuming 2 pair of doors. If so, you can use a center post and wood is not a problem. It is also much cheaper. The sump will need to fit in one side, so you can't have a 5' long sump, but that works fine on my 180. The other side is full of equipment and a refugium.

Using steel can be a pain because you need to make sure the stand is protected from the salt water. Not a big deal in an open stand where you can see rust occur and attend to it, but in a built in situation where some parts of the stand will never be seen, you need to make sure the waterproofing is 100% as you won't see the damage until it is to late.

Let's see...

Our kitchen designer is actually building a "facade" which will be completely removable. We will have "dummy" doors.

Because the tank will have pantries on each side of the tank, I won't have side access to place a sump. I'm trying to avoid having to place the sump, and then lifting the stand over the sump. In this situation, I'm in deep **** if the sump ever leaks, etc, and it needs to be removed!

If I can find a design (wood or steel) which gives me at least a 4 foot opening in the front of the stand (so I can place/remove the sump at will), that would be perfect!

In regards to waterproofing a steel stand, I read a lot here on RC about powdercoating. Does that "waterproof" a stand? I also read a thread about a member who sprayed his stand with Linex (pickup truck bedliner).

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9686777#post9686777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
we ended up going with steel for our stand.. The previous owners had built a stand out of wood, so it could easily go either way I suppose.

I notice you're in the "far east bay". I'm in the east bay myself. Where did you have your stand built? Are you happy with it? What did you end up coating your stand with?