Lost my mind....or, here we go again!

[kien]

You definitely get a lot more flexibility out of your stand if you build it yourself. It doesn't have to be crazy. A stand can be quite simple and easy to build. You can always do it in stages too. Build the frame to a point where you can mount the tank, and then skin it later.

External overflow gives you more room precious real estate inside the tank

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by kien

Build the frame to a point where you can mount the tank, and then skin it later.

External overflow gives you more room precious real estate inside the tank

Well, no, I have to finish it before the tank goes on, or it will never get done. See reference to cardboard above -lol
Since I'm doing a 7' stand for a 6' tank, I'll need to build it myself. I want to try and stuff my 125 sump in there, and a store bought will not accomodate that, I'm pretty sure
Yes, I'm thinking external for sure now, just gotta figure it all out to minimize the space required behind the tank.

[Milad]

well my stand cost me way more than I thought it would cost and it took up alot of my time and it still not finished and it was the hardest part of the project.

if i did the stand again it would be metal with thin wood for the panels because the wood holding the stand up takes up alot of space.

[Milad]

but then again on my stand I did use laminate which was part of the headache. you can even get a counter top built at like home depot, then buy panels from ikea. just gota find correct size panels or build the stand to the panels.

i saw a professionally built stand at oceanic corals and even with a $1500ish price tag, i still wanted because my stand is still not perfect, and its a headache trying to "fix" it.

[reefwars]

On my build I'm doing now I'm doing the same thing leaving a 6" "shelf" around the tank , I'm doing granite for the top and dry stack stone for the stand, it will be built in two halfs in case I move sometime

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefwars

On my build I'm doing now I'm doing the same thing leaving a 6" "shelf" around the tank , I'm doing granite for the top and dry stack stone for the stand, it will be built in two halfs in case I move sometime

How are you handling the weight? I"m thinking I need an internal frame that covers 24' x 72' to support the tank. Essentially another vertical support 6' in from the corners...

[reefwars]

Weights def a concern with a 200g tank plus around 300lbs of stone and 100g sump not to mention liverock etc.

I'll be making the stand out of 2x4 first to support the tank, I'll be using 3/4" plywood plus 2" s&m foam for the tank to sit on. then I'll be building walks from 2x6 on the outside of my 2x4 frame to hold my stone and create my shelf. If I build from just 2x4 with the shelf it won't support the tank as it will be wider, so my plan is to build framed walls and supports for the tank then build a stand from 2x6 in two halfs that will fit around the interior stand like two horseshoes then just granite for the top cut to fit around my tank in two halves also

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Since I'm doing a 7' stand for a 6' tank, I'll need to build it myself. I want to try and stuff my 125 sump in there, and a store bought will not accomodate that, I'm pretty sure
Yes, I'm thinking external for sure now, just gotta figure it all out to minimize the space required behind the tank.

how big is the 125 Brad? I can't remember off hand.. only how heavy it was and is there a reason you can only go 7 foot long or did tyou just thing 6" on each end?

to bad you don't come this way at all, I actualy have a shop I can work in now not in the driveway like our last stand build

Steve

[Aquattro]

The 125 is 60x18x24 (which makes it a 115?). Not sure I can fit that in, but I'll design for it initially.
I don't want the overflow off the end, as both ends are exposed to the room equally, and symetry is important. I'd rather lose 3 inches off the back

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by kien

You can always do it in stages too. Build the frame to a point where you can mount the tank, and then skin it later.

don't tell him that, it took 5 years last time and he sold it befor he finnished it

Steve