My 60 gal build

chris121277 · #1 05-30-2009, 02:08 PM

I started to build a new stand for my 60 gal reef tank the other day and I thought i'd share some pic's of how it's coming
When I started I wanted to make it strong as the stand that came with my tank was quite flimsy, It never dawned on me that when I was done it would weigh as much as a small bus.....lol
Oh well.....it's going to be a 2 man job to move the thing when it's done as it's alread about 150-200 pounds!!!

today i'm going to be adding the radius's to all the outside edges, bondoing all the joints putting a back on it and possibly starting on the paint
Let me know what you think, or if you have any sugestions

365seasons · #2 05-30-2009, 02:27 PM

the stand looks solid...keep the pics coming

fishytime · #3 05-30-2009, 02:36 PM

Looking goooood.....I do have a suggestion.....MDF is really not the best material for a humid environment.....it will need to be primed, sealed and then painted, otherwise it will swell up from the moister.... it a nice cheap material but when you factor in the extra steps that need to be taken painting it, you dont end up saving much.

What are your plans for stocking this bad boy?

Myka · #4 05-30-2009, 04:04 PM

For a 60g that is the most overbuilt stand I've ever seen!

Lookin good though! I would have to agree with fishytime re the MDF though.

chris121277 · #5 05-30-2009, 04:45 PM

Thanx guys.......I do have a habit of over building things....oops

I chose MDF just because of the nice smooth finish you get with it, and i'm going to be calking all the seams and doing a really theral job sealing and painting it. I'm also thinking of making a tray that covers the hole sump compartment (just incase)
I know there are more steps when using MDF but that's ok with me as long as the finished product looks good enough that the wife will let me put it in her kitchen

I'll post some more pic's this after noon to show my progress

karazy · #6 05-30-2009, 05:16 PM

that thing is crazy! its like a stand inside a stand

chris121277 · #7 05-31-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

Looking goooood.....I do have a suggestion.....MDF is really not the best material for a humid environment.....it will need to be primed, sealed and then painted, otherwise it will swell up from the moister.... it a nice cheap material but when you factor in the extra steps that need to be taken painting it, you dont end up saving much.

What are your plans for stocking this bad boy?

Well the tank has been up and running since September.....and I just got the sump up and running, but it doesn't fit in the existing stand and we are moving in the next few weeks so I wanted to have the new stand ready so when I have to break it down and move it then it's all ready.

Here are a few pic's of how it is right now

chris121277 · #8 05-31-2009, 01:00 AM

I didn't get as far as I planned today......filling all the joints and sanding them down took alot longer then I thought.
here is what I got done today

robzilla · #9 05-31-2009, 02:48 PM

looking good!! i'm going to have to pick your brain for ideas when i get to building a new stand for my 120.

did you get a lawnmower blenny the other day?

chris121277 · #10 05-31-2009, 03:06 PM

No.......he always tells me that he'll bring stuff in for me but never does.
I did go out on a limb and i'm trying another powder brown tang. He's just a little guy about 2" long and looks very healthy so....fingers crossed

They did bring in alot of fish this time, there was a powder blue, copper band butterfly, some mandarins, 2 lion fish, porcupine puffer and a hole bunch more.
If I was doing a FOWLR I would have been tempted to spend alot of money.....lol