20G w/ 10G sump Build. *From scratch!*
 

Ok not completely!

The tanks and electronics are not.

Here is my plan:

20G show tank, with a 10 gallon sump underneath, and a 10 gallon isolated tank underneath that.

I am building a stand and canopy from scratch, a bit wider than the 20 gallon to allow for storage to the left of the main tank. I will be making my own fan setup, lighting, LED moonlights, plumbing, drilling tank and building overflow, and finally making my own liverock.

PS. This is the first time I've tried anything like this, wish me luck!

Here is what I have done so far!

Jeff

The 20gallon, $36 from Aquagiant w/ a glass top.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020442.jpg

The two 10 gallons in the storage room, filled and covered with supplies lol.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020443.jpg

The workshop! LOL
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020444.jpg

The beginning of the frame for the stand.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020445.jpg

Will update when there is more!

I would be dead sawing in the house!

Hehe, I had the vacuum going at the same time, sucked everything up before she could notice!

So now I have decided to just use my 30 gallon as the show tank. Frame is almost complete!

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020475.jpg

The 10 gallon will actually be on the upper shelf, and I'm thinking maybe two 5 gallons on the bottom for frags and a hospital tank.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...f/P1020476.jpg

No offence, but it looks crooked and unlevel?? Hope its just the camera playing tricks. Leeds to be perfectly level or the tank may crack.

Heh I know it freaked me out as well. Just the camera being wierd.

the way you have your uprights positioned right now im afraid they will go though the bottom of the tank. all the weight is going to be on the outside horizontals, and they are only held up by screws right now it looks like. or perhaps you are not done yet.

just my $0.02

Yes...I was thinking the exact same thing. Sorry, but it is just not good the way you've done it. The upper frame might as well not be there, structurally speaking.

If you were to sit yourself in the middle of that frame...ask yourself what is holding you up? I think you will determine that it is the nails/screws that you attached the frame to the posts. That's not good.

Similarly, the forces come down the legs and concentrate at the bottom of the legs. The bottom frame is not functioning to distribute the load as you would like.

The frames should sit on top of...and underneath the legs...not around them.

Yes, never fear! Not quite done yet. There will be more 2x4s outside the current vertical ones, between the top and bottom frame. Opinions on wether or not that will be sufficient support?

Thank you for the comments so far!

Jeff

OK. If you put those in place you'll be good. Then you have to skin it with plywood, of course.