Thanks for the input Greg. I don't have any bulkheads yet but sphelps whom I purchased the tank from was using 1 1/4" bulkheads for the returns so I am assuming this will be fine.

Is that right? I have never heard that and will have to look into it more!

Oh that Steve, I am sure it will be fine but I will ask him as I recently finished & delivered his new stand. I want to make sure it will be all good :biggrin:

Frig you've got me all nervous now! The holes are pretty close to the glass.. 1 1/4" from the back glass.. Im assuming your worried about the clearances between the bulkheads and the stand. What size pipe are you constructing the stand with?

The tank is still a little dirty and I can see the water marks of where Steve's bulkheads went to. Measuring from the outer edge of the tanks back pain to the edge of his bulkhead mark, I got a distance of about 1 1/4". If you're using 2" pipe I may be in trouuuuble.. Let me know Greg.

Then again, I am not sure if the bottom of the bulkhead has the same diameter as the top half, so I will try and pick one up tomorrow. That way I will know for sure.

I'm assuming you're going with a Herbie overflow because of the two holes you have for your overflow into your sump? Also I didn't see a filter sock tray. Are you going to be using filter socks?

The stand will be 1 1/2" tubing Wayne.

Yes, I will be doing the Herbie overflow as I used this on my 90 with great success. I do not plan to use any filter socks as I believe they do more harm then good.

I'm going to pick up a bulkhead tonight after work and see what my clearance is. If I have less than 1 1/2" is it possible to widen the stand slightly in order to incorporate more room for the bulkhead?

[center]v1…rotate’s ‘A Reef in the Sky’
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...5thMay2012.jpg

man this tank is beauty can anyone send me info on this thank?

An airline pilot out of Hong Kong, his build thread is here.

The original stand was 3/4" plywood and I recall it being pretty tight.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ank/stand1.jpg

The marks you're referring to will probably be from the gasket as well which is small than the actual bulkheads so you have less clearance than you might think. I would account for 1" max.

A couple options I could recommend:

If you're using 1-1/2 tubing an option is to make the stand 55" x 23" meaning it will extrude 1/2" out from all sides of the tank but should give you the clearance you need.

Another option is to build up a few layers of plywood on top of the metal stand, you can drill large holes for the bulkheads and use the plywood as a spacer, not great for access after the tank is in place but an option.

Other options involve build the stand around the bulkheads or notching with added support. Or make the stand from 3/4" plywood like I did.

Either way be sure to get the bulkheads first, make sure they fit the holes properly, then measure for stand clearance. If you don't follow this order you're asking for problems.