DIY Stand Question for 90 Gallon - Stand 4 Pics Updated

A

aaron111533

Alright well thanks for all the input. I ditched the 55 gallon sump idea since no matter how I put the sump in, (From the side, back, front, whatever) I would have to make the stand unreasonably large (IMO) to fit it in there. So I have gone with a 40 gallon breeder from a sump, which will fit in the 90 gallon stand with normal dimensions. Now I can make my stand 49x19 and have no issues. Check out the pics so far. I just need to finish it out and make it look pretty. (Probably the hardest part)The stand is about 37" high, 19x49. Will this baby hold my 90? What do you think so far. Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated. Also, is is customary to finish out the back of the stand? I wouldn't use nice wood for this, but I was concered with light leakage from the refugium light. Should I finish out the back along with everything else?

Here are 3 pics and Another PIC is at the bottom of the page.....









Well now that I have my new tank painted and will be installing bulkheads and overflow plumbing tonight hopefully, I think I'll start on my stand tomorrow. I plan on using Geoffrey B's famous design, and the stand will be about 50" long, 19" deep, and about 36" high, and don't want a center brace since I think I'm going to use a 55g as a sump.

I made the mistake of reading through the DIY Tank Stand for Dummies thread and only looking at the pictures, so I went to Home Depot the other day and bought all 2x4's for framing. I was then re-reading the thread and actually read the part where Geoffrey stated that he would later be adding center braces since he only used 2x4's for the top frame.

So now, my question is, should I go back to HD and buy some 2x6 for the top frame? Will a single layer (Not doubled) 2x6 top frame be sufficient with no center brace? Would a single layer 2x4 top frame be sufficient with no center bracing? Should I just use the 2x4 lumber I already have to create a single layer top frame and make a removable front center brace? Any thoughts here?
Thanks....
 
If you build your stand with a 2x6 top brace to support a 48" long tank, it'll be fine. Use 3/4" plywood on the top to spread out the weight.

Keep in mind that your corners may very well get in the way of the tanks bulkheads. If you have the tank already, ascertain how you can construct the stand and still access those bulkheads.
 
Thanks Marc. I suppose I'll go back to HD and get some 2X6 as well, that way I can have the no center brace design I was planning instead of rigging up all the 2x4's with a center brace that I bought. 2x4's are cheap anyway, and I'm sure I can find some use for the extra. I'm a bit bummed right now, I was just out in the garage installing my bulkheads...The 3/4 went on great handtight and is good to go, but the 1 inch it appears is faulty....The nut that screws onto the base goes on a bit wobbly....And when I try to get it hand tight the nut just "Pops" out of the threads. Just emailed Marine Depot Customer Care, hopefully they take care of me.
 
2x4's with a center brace would be plenty of support IMO, look at premade stands. the key is to make sure it can not shift side to side anyway, and plywood sides is an easy way to make sure that does not happen, or making a triangle in every corner with a 2x4.
 
I wish I had gone with a 90 now. What's real funny, is I'm upgrading from a smaller tank to a 75. I thought it was plenty big. Now I wish I had a 90. for the height. Now looking at the foot print, I've already started thinking it looks small. :lol:
Anyway back to your frame. This is what I did, and it might help with your bulk head issue. I used two center braces but off centered them.
Here's a pic to explain. I was also told the frame was over kill so I'd think 2x6s would be even more over kill. Good luck.

stand_with_back_2_556.jpg
alt="">
 
Jeremy, the only reason I would say your stand is overkill is due to the number of vertical braces you have :shock: I think that thing could support a 1000 gallon (very tall) easily :lol:
 
Well, I went to HD last night and got some 2x6 for the top frame, so that solves that.

Another thing I'm trying to condsider. I still need a sump. It seems that I can get a used 55 gallon for $50 which is cheaper than even making a smaller sump out of acrylic or what not. Since I'm going to have a refugium, and would want a return area big enough to not have to top off all the time, I've calculated that I need a 40 gallon or larger tank for the sump. Anyway, there aren't many 40x40x16 tanks around (My perfect calculated sump size) so I though I would just use a 55 gallon for $50.

So I'm thinking, if I'm going to use a 55 for a sump, I need to make my stand big enough to fit it in there. So by my calculations, I would need to make the stand 56" wide to fit the 55 sump all the way back in the stand since at the back two 2x4's will be on either side taking up 7" of horizontal space. I've never setup a tank before, but I'm thinking that since a 55 gallon sump would take up the whole length of the stand, it might be nice to have some front to back space to work in under there. Are my thoughts true here? Once I had everything setup, that would leave about 3.5" of stand space on either side of the 90 gallon display. With that in mind, I also figured well, I might as well make the stand 25" deep so I could fit a 120 gallon on there if I ever wanted to upgrade. So again, that would leave about 3" of extra stand space along the front of the 90 gallon display and the back.

Question is, I've never seen a stand /setup like that, would it look terrible? Or does everyone think would look alright with the display tank centered but about 3 - 3.5" of stand border all around each edge?

Is it worth it? Or should I just try to find a smaller sump and not be able to ever use this stand for the 120?

Thanks...
 
I think it would look fine. You could even dress it up a bit with some molding. Seems like a good idea if you think you will eventually move to a 120G :)
 
Well, I would still redo the top supports with 2x6's. The problems you might run into with a 55 for a Sump/Fuge is getting it to fit inside the stand and having room for other equipment. I just set up my 120 (48 x 19 footprint) and could only fit a 30 Gal Long into it.
 
Here is the stand for my upcoming 140g. I have 2 sheets of .75" ply wood on top, 1.75"x1.75" iron cross bar (wt. ~ 30 lbs). I am going to put about a thousand .5" glass balls (400 in pic) on the floor to make the sump rollable (in any direction) when needed
stand1.jpg
alt="">
stand2.jpg
alt="">
stand3.jpg
alt="">
 
Well, the stand I'm contemplating making would have a 56x25 foot print, allowing me to fit a 55 sump / fuge with some room to spare underneath. Defintely going with 2x6 top frame however no matter what size. Just trying to figure out if having about 3.5 inches extra stand space on each side of the 48.5x18.5 display would look off.
 
I buildt this for a 120/140 aquarium. 2X4 frame wrap in 3/4in ply. Didn't put a center brace in front so I could put a sump in but I did make a center brace to put in once the sump is in. It will be held in with pocket screws.

12yl8.jpg
alt="">
 
love the HD rosettes and fluting ;)

i hate that every big box carries the same stuff. i heard that there was a place locally that had tons of cool stuff for woodworkers... actually i think i saw a commercial for them... anyone know what I am talking about?
 
I've bought from a place over off Ave K near the FedEx station. i can't remember the street, but it's just north of plano pkwy (if that's where fry's is located). Good luck finding it with these directions!

I think it's called Pro Builders or something like that.
 
ive heard of that place... the guy who built the conference roo furniture at my old job said he got those basic hom depot style rosettes only in mahogany at that place.

i think the place I am thinking of is called Woodcraft, and theres one in Addison on Marsh.

they have all sorts of cool stuff including veneering tools and inlays and other cool stuff. they even have 4x8 sheets of birds eye maple... you dont want to know how much though! ;)
 
If it off Av. K and Summit then that's Bee Builders Supply, it put's HD/Lowes to shame...quality and prices are outstanding as well, unless you get the fancy stuff.

Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top