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#1
01-15-2004, 07:35 PM
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Tank Stand
I'm working on designing my own tank stand (cabinet style), and I've taken a good look at most of those out there, including the pictures on the internet.
My question is, for those that have one, what would you want or not want with your current stand? Anything that annoys you? Anything you wish you had installed inside? More shelves? More space? Small pockets inside to hold certain items? Soundproofing? My tank isn't very big (only 38g) and I've got a 20g tank which i'm going to use as a sump. I really like Mark's idea of the removal doors (with magnets to hold them on). One thing that looks annoying to me is the center support beam where the 2 doors usually close. I'm wondering if I can get away with this, if the stand is made strong enough (also due to the fact that its only 36" across). 
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#2
01-15-2004, 07:45 PM
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The removable doors is extremely handy. I did this on my stand and got the idea from Des in Edmonton. One thing I regret is thinking too much about the outer dimensions of the stand when building it and not the inner dimensions. The stand is very much overbuilt and the amount of wood inside wasn't really considered when I built it. It's extremely difficult for me to work inside the stand, and almost impossible to remove my skimmer. I wish I had put the NO lighting fixture at the very back of the stand instead of right above the sump, where it is very much in the way. If you have a lot of evaporation as I do, you will need to vent the stand. My stand is often over 30 degrees on the inside, and extremely humid.
__________________
-Quinn Man, n. ...His chief occupation is extermination of other animals and his own species, which, however, multiplies with such insistent rapidity as to infest the whole habitable earth, and Canada. - A. Bierce, Devil's Dictionary, 1906
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#3
01-15-2004, 08:38 PM
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2x4 construction will hold a 38 gallon tank no problems, just make sure you have the 2x4 narrow side up/down orientation. I've built a bunch of stands and there has been things I didn't like about each and everyone. I'm about to start building a stand for a 5 foot long tank and this time I'll do it slow. I used to buy my wood at Revy, because it's just down the street, however, I've found that the wood at Home depot is much better, straighter and less splinters etc. Maybe other Revy's are different but the one in Burnaby at Kingsway and Edmonds, their standard or better 2x4s are in bad shape.
This time around I'm going to use 2x6's for the stand construction, and I'll enclose the front (access will be from behind) I find kids, cats, dogs,cats, kids friends, cats.. you get the picture get into the underneath of the stand to easy with doors on the front. If the tank was going in a room with a wall behind it I'd obviously not go the route I am doing here. Doug
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#4
01-15-2004, 10:24 PM
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good tips!
I've been designing the stand all day today, I may take some pics of my hand drawings so far, and post em up later. A few questions that came about. 1) Does the wood have to be treated? ie: specially the support beams inside. If so, do I buy it treated? Or treat it after I buy it? 2) Kinda like question #1, the floor of the inside. I'm wondering if I should cover it with arcylic sheets, incase of spillage for easier cleanup? or let it just go on the wood? teevee: Do you recommend then a vent, and a fan to suck air outside? (ie draw the warm air outside of the stand)
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#5
01-15-2004, 10:40 PM
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1) Treated as in pressure treating (the green wood)? I don't think that's necessary, that's more for insect control I think. What I would stay away from (this is just me) is things like particle board, MDF, etc. That stuff just swells up when wet. And sooner or later it's going to get wet.
But if you mean varnishing it to seal it, yes, that is a good idea. Something like a polyurethane based varnish should be good. 2) It's an excellent idea. Not that I've done it myself yet, but I really like this idea and the NEXT stand I build will be enclosed like that with acrylic. Basically what I think I'll do is make the sump inside the stand, but right up against the wood. That way there's no way for water to pool anywhere except for in your sump. I beleive DJ88 made his stand in this manner.
__________________
-- Tony My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills. Whee!
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#6
01-15-2004, 10:42 PM
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If you buy treated lumber be VERY careful when cutting it, wear a mask, Honest, don't think this is a little thing. The stuff the lumber is treated with is very very nasty crap if you breath it in.
Built it out of kiln dried non treated lumber, seal it with a good sealer, just my opinion. Doug
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#7
01-15-2004, 11:07 PM
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Quote:
__________________
-- Tony My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills. Whee!
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#8
01-15-2004, 11:10 PM
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Look what two monkey's built when they were bored
 http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewto...ight=40g+stand It's a really nice, cheap stand. I copied it on my new 60g and it works great. I'd reccomend building something like this.
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#9
01-15-2004, 11:38 PM
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Quote:
I want to do the same thing, not having the center brace in the front, for better access. Looks good! Only thing you'll notice once I post up my drawings, is that I was thinking about using 2x2. I thought that 4x2 would be overkill?
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#10
01-16-2004, 12:24 AM
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Quote:
 Steve
__________________
 *everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive.
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