Requirements for Stand...

[cindywennin]

I am in the process of planning a new tank. I want to build the stand to match my Mission Style living room furniture. My new tank will be an Oceanic RR 75g glass tank. What do I need to consider when planning/building this stand?

Thanks for all the wisdom and experience in advance!!!!!

Cindy

 

[kipreefer]

The biggest thing i find is to place as much weight as possible on the wood. On my 90 gallon stand my dad and i used a chisle to chisle out 3/8 in of wood off of the 3/4 in plywood. The wood is alot stronger then screws. Also make sure to use a high quality polyurathane on it so it is pretty water resistant.

 

[esmithiii]

Height: If it is too low, you will be stooping to look in the tank, too high and you will need a stool to work in the tank (mine is at eye level, and I need a stool to do any major re-arranging or to pick something off the bottom of the tank.)

Weight- for a 75G w/ sand and rock and 30 gal sump, plan on the whole thing weighing close to 1100-1400lbs.

Enough room for equipment (sump, skimmer, return pump, Ca reactor, waste cup for the skimmer, etc) and access to the equipment is critical.

Mission style is a very attractive style. My office is currently done in Mexican Rustic, but I am thinking of also going to Mission style.

Ernie

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: esmithiii ]</p>

 

[joeltb]

1 very important point: Make sure the stand is level and sturdy but over time it developed a slight shift and my tank cracked bigtime.

 

[McReef1]

Cindy~

To hold up the 75g, you really only need 4 2x4 posts on the corners that hold up the "tabletop". I would also make this out of 2x4's with a 3/4" plywood top.

The key is to get lateral support. In other words, most I've seen are overbuilt to actually hold the static weight of the system. Where they lack in strength is laterally (side to side or front to back) where someone will lean on the tank, kids/dogs, etc will bump up against it. Everytime you open and close the doors underneath, lean on it or bump it, the tank will rock back and forth slightly until eventually your glue joints break. There is MUCH more stress laterally over time than vertically.

Good luck,

McReef

 

[cindywennin]

So does anyone have requirements/suggestions for the framework of the stand?