36 Gal Bowfront using all DIY

aaron · 11-03-2005, 04:33 PM

Well, after a million questions posted on this board i am ready to embark on what i am hoping will be the second last tank of my life. I am attempting to do two things that are often considered mutually exclusive - to make the best possible, most maintenance free tank and to make it the cheapest possible tank to setup. To achieve this I will be trying to DIY everything with the exception of the tank itself and the pumps.
I will also be doing something that no one on this site would ever do - I will post a running total of how much i have spent! in other words i will admit how much i have spent (just dont show this thread to my wife)
Pictures to follow very soon

Nsr250NYC · 11-03-2005, 04:35 PM

hey that would be cool. just to see how much other ppl spend.

aaron · 11-03-2005, 04:36 PM

First up the DIY stand.
I made this from some salvaged 2x3" wood i found on the street and some plywood i "found" on a building site down the road.
Total cost of the stand $60.00 for hinges screws and paint.

SlamaJama · 11-03-2005, 04:37 PM

it starts that way...buuut , never finishes that way...
the very best of luck on ur endeavor

**jhale** · 11-03-2005, 04:41 PM

if your keeping a running total, will this include just tank parts or will it be dry goods and livestock as well.

your a much braver man than I

VJ&POOPS · 11-03-2005, 05:14 PM

You found those wood in your neighborhood, nice neighborhood (those are new wood, I wish I could find those in my neighborhood)...I'd be very very carefull with using 2x3 for a stand (36 g w/ water is pretty heavy). The stand is looking good though.....good luck...

aaron · 11-03-2005, 05:22 PM

John, just tank parts at the moment. Maybe some other bits and pieces, but probably not livestock.

The wood for the stand came from an old bed thrown out in Carol gardens.
2x3 is plenty thick enough for the stand, once it is screwed to the plywood.

**jhale** · 11-03-2005, 05:26 PM

the plywood alone is strong enough if constructed correctly.
people often underestimate the strength of plywood, it's really strong.
just don't nail and glue, screw and glue

herman · 11-03-2005, 05:30 PM

ha ha, you said screw..

**jhale** · 11-03-2005, 05:35 PM

:P

11-03-2005, 04:33 PM	#1
aaron Australian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,026 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (0)	36 Gal Bowfront using all DIY Well, after a million questions posted on this board i am ready to embark on what i am hoping will be the second last tank of my life. I am attempting to do two things that are often considered mutually exclusive - to make the best possible, most maintenance free tank and to make it the cheapest possible tank to setup. To achieve this I will be trying to DIY everything with the exception of the tank itself and the pumps. I will also be doing something that no one on this site would ever do - I will post a running total of how much i have spent! in other words i will admit how much i have spent (just dont show this thread to my wife) Pictures to follow very soon

11-03-2005, 04:36 PM	#3
aaron Australian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,026 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (0)	First up the DIY stand. I made this from some salvaged 2x3" wood i found on the street and some plywood i "found" on a building site down the road. Total cost of the stand $60.00 for hinges screws and paint. Attached Thumbnails

11-03-2005, 04:37 PM	#4
SlamaJama Reefers Suck Hose... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 3,634 Reefer Ratings: (102) Friends: (0)	it starts that way...buuut , never finishes that way... the very best of luck on ur endeavor __________________ [CENTER][B][I]When bullies rise up, you must beat them back down, whatever the cost...[/I][/B][/CENTER]

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11-03-2005, 04:35 PM	#2
Nsr250NYC Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Queens Posts: 909 Reefer Ratings: (26) Friends: (0)	hey that would be cool. just to see how much other ppl spend.

11-03-2005, 04:41 PM	#5
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,279 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	if your keeping a running total, will this include just tank parts or will it be dry goods and livestock as well. your a much braver man than I

11-03-2005, 05:14 PM	#6
VJ&POOPS Member-MR Best Reef Site Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Queens Village, Queens - NY Posts: 675 Reefer Ratings: (51) Friends: (1)	You found those wood in your neighborhood, nice neighborhood (those are new wood, I wish I could find those in my neighborhood)...I'd be very very carefull with using 2x3 for a stand (36 g w/ water is pretty heavy). The stand is looking good though.....good luck...

11-03-2005, 05:22 PM	#7
aaron Australian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,026 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (0)	John, just tank parts at the moment. Maybe some other bits and pieces, but probably not livestock. The wood for the stand came from an old bed thrown out in Carol gardens. 2x3 is plenty thick enough for the stand, once it is screwed to the plywood.

11-03-2005, 05:26 PM	#8
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,279 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	the plywood alone is strong enough if constructed correctly. people often underestimate the strength of plywood, it's really strong. just don't nail and glue, screw and glue

11-03-2005, 05:35 PM	#10
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,279 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	:P