DIY Stand for my 55g

S

ScubaLuke

Well since my tank crashed I am going to do everything right. I am going to use ths set back as a spring board to get this done right. By this weekend I should have everything I need to build a stand for my tank. Here is what I am thinking, my display tank will be a 55g tank and is full of water live rock and sand at this time. I am going to pick up a 55g tank to use as a sump (thanks Serk you gave me the idea for the sump) The stand I am planning to build is 4ft tall to the top of the stand (so my over 6'tall self does not have to bend over to look in the tank) I will probally make the stand around 52-54" wide so I can slide the 55g sump in and out if needed.

For my build supplies I will be useing 2x6 for the frame of the stand and skin it with birch. I am hoping to be able to build this stand with out a center brace in front so I do not have to deal with working around it in the future. I will probally use 2x6 doubled for the front cross member. Around around the 24" mark from the bottom of the stand I am considering building a self that I use for holding top off water Kalk (what ever I need to add in the future) Besides this should make the stand stronger and more stable

I will be using GeoffreyB and feasible stands as I plan of sorts. but I am wanting to make the stand top look like this stand below

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RossT built this stand

I am wanting to make the top of the stand look like his so there is an over hang around the tank. It might be handy to catch any spills in the future.

I will update this thread with pics as I go along. I am hoping to build this fast but solid

Any ideas or input on this? AM I NUTS?

Oh yea my 55g tank that is full of water rock and sand I will drain and remove the rocks amd make the move to the new stand and refill it and place the rocks back in. I want have the stand complete and ready to go before I drain a drop of water out the display.
 
@ScubaLuke wrote:
Oh yea do I need to finish the inside of the stand to protect it from water spills or humidity? said:
Yes. I suggest Kilz Sealer (Can be found at Home Depot or Lowes). It is white so it brightens up the inside of the stand.

And also do it BEFORE you put the tank on it. I forgot to and now I need to seal mine carefully as not to get it on the carpet! :evil:
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@chrisk wrote:
Luke... get with me about this.. I have kilz... etc... and have learned alot from my recent mistakes said:
Thanks and I will. I get off from work tonight around 10 should be home around 10:30. You going to be home?
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Well today I went shopping and brought home I hope all the wood for the frame of the stand. 4 8' 2x6, 4 8' 2x4. I also picked up half of a sheet of 1/4" acrylic 20' of 1" pvc assortment of 45 degreeand 90 degree elbows. 150' of 10-2 wire 4 GFCI outlets and 2 20amp circut breakers. I plan to install 2 20 amp dedicated circuts during this build. Over Kill???? Maybe but who knows what the future might bring

This frame will be all rabbited together and glued with gorrila glue and screwed together with 1 1/4 galvinezed screws. I firgure I should be able to park a truck on the top of this when I am finished with out a problem.

I am going to only run a 55g sump for now as if I wanted to include the 29g fuge the stand would have to be around 5' tall. Unless I make the stand deep enought to place them one in front of the other. (which may still happen)

Construction should start this saturday afternoon following the meeting, I am hoping to photo document the progress as we go along. By late sunday I am hoping to have at least 3/4 of the frame done. Stay tuned
 
Your plan is similar to mine. I've built the structure for my 90gal with 2x6 and 2x4. No center brace in the front, two 2x6's screwed together from both sides forming a beam. I will skin it when the built-in wall unit is built, so the tank will look...well...built-in. Oh, btw, My stand is 36" tall, I didn't want it to look to high when I'm perched on my couch.

Here's a pic of the stand. I have the 90rr sitting on it now full of tap water running into a trash can, leak testing until my sump/fuge is finished.

Larry
 
@lmcnutt wrote:
Your plan is similar to mine. I've built the structure for my 90gal with 2x6 and 2x4. No center brace in the front said:
Now that is what I am talking about!!!! I do not think mine will be that strong but I think your thinking. Got any more pics of it?
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No other pics that are any better than that one. I'm at Coit/McDermott if you want to come by. Heck, I'll even help you piece it together if you want.
 
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