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Since I can't seem to edit, I'll post again.

Thanks fish479. Living in an apartment/3 story house with 9 other guys AND having 4 tanks forces you to be space efficient. For example, I'v lofted my queen size bed, and it's quite roomy down here.

Heidi, my tank stand is built for two 20G tanks. I'm not sure what kind of structural work would need to be done to hold an 80G tank. That is twice the weight of the two tanks I have. I would guess that it could still be done with 2x4s mostly. Some specifics on my stand can be found here. It ran me about 30 - 40 usd I think for the lumber and screws. I think it was 12 8 ft. 2X4's. It's a really simple design, so if you have any other questions I'd gladly help you out.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 14-Dec-2004 20:17

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Nice work Sin!

Give me till the end of the week (once the laterite settles) and I'll show you my new 55 gal.

thanks for all the compliments, its appreciated. wasnt looking to "show off" just wanted to show that it can be done by unskilled hands

Sin,

Wouldn't call your hands unskilled. By your pics, you thought out your design and put together a well built stand that looks good too!!

It's nothing like sin's or Mike's but I'd like to think that I'm not done yet. My stand has one outSTANDing feature though. Double Decker Baby.



mattyboombatty attached this image:


Last edited by mattyboombatty at 13-Dec-2004 23:15[/font]

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Here is my contribution. The stand was made of 1x2" metal tubes with braces (cross members) at three sides, excluding the door opening. At the top has four large tubes insted of two, to help distribute better the weight.

The cabinet was made around the structure with wood, along with details like fine root wood ornaments and... things like that...

The size is 120cm X 50 cms x 90 cms heigh, holds currently a 55 gal tank.

The Photos.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/Sharpix/AquariumStand1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/Sharpix/AquariumStand2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/Sharpix/AquariumStand3.jpg

And a Bonus, My 'Bib' Goldfish, named after Bibendum the Michelin guy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/Sharpix/BibFish.jpg

OHHH AND ONE QUESTION: Could that stand make it with a 90 gal tank at the top? The frame is 2x1" tube. I plan the fishtank to be 4" x 1.65" x 2" tall...

Any opinions on this?

Last edited by Sharpix at 14-Dec-2004 12:39

sharpix,

That's a very nice looking stand. I like the idea of the metal support structure. Did you make the inlays on the doors? How did you do the two small beads on the frame of the doors? What is the finish on there?

mattyboombatty,

double decker, now that's efficient space management

Last edited by fish479 at 14-Dec-2004 14:05

Everything is beautiful...I am jealous...and lazy I tend to buy a do it yourself stand

Matty, what are those 2x4s? Yours is about the only one I think I could do...of course I don't want to imagine how many smashed thumbs, and brokens nails I'd have by the time I was finished, But I could do it...could you im or mail me the specifics? I want one for an 80 gallon tank...

Heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Yes, those are 2X4s. And I'm not sure it's possible to get smashed thumbs and broken nails using an electric screwdriver/drill. I'm still thinking of spicing it up a bit, add some shelves in the bottom, maybe some doors or whatever to hide the electrical stuff, and the holiday break is coming up so who knows...

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

The majority of my large stands are actually just cinderblock and 3/4" plywood.

One sheet of the plywood is placed on the floor (its dimensions are 2" longer and wider than the tank) then cinderblock is stacked ( like brickwork or hay bales) to stabilize. Each of the cinderblocks can be lined up so that there is a hole that goes through to the bottom .. where ever i need an exit i just cut a hole through the bottom block for exits. The second sheet of plywood is placed on the top layer of block, again 2" longer and wider than tank. This is then all covered by fabric or a sheet to match the decor of the room.

It doesnt provide alot of storage room ... but it can easily carry 1000+ lbs and spreads the weight across at least 3 floor joists.

Bdadawg

Thanks Fish479.. I didn't do the details at the wood. I started with the metal structure design that was made according to my specifications, and most of the work was like "And then make it 90cms tall, add a reinforcement here, another there....", etc, etc.

The base was powder painted except the diagonal braces that were soldered after this. Then I sent the structure for the making of the cabinet, choose the color, details and the addition of those details, along with a semi-matt finish with polyester enamel, that I've been told to be stronger against water than regular types. That was the process. I spent about $400 bucks, all made in Mexico.

For the 90 gal tanks, you'll need something stronger than wood, like a metal tube frame. Weldings are 10x or more stronger than any wood braces and keep up better against water if properly painted.

For one thank, you need 2"x2" tubes, thick gauge with diagonal braces and such. For two stacked tanks that's another history...

I think this is enough interest to make this a serious contender in the ideas bucket G&B

My stands are scarily built... My poor tank is balancing precariously on 4 stumps of 2x3" pine, that are held in a box frame type dealie wit nail gun brads!

I WILL get around to making a proper cabinet! I will!

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

My "make a stand" consists of "make a decision". I went to my lfs and chose one that was on sale.

Not confident with wood and building. Visions of smashed glass and flooded house.

I am filled with admiration for those of you that are makin' it happen in workshops all across the globe.





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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I can only hope, Calla.

-Keith

http://www.ozarkgames.com

workshops? bah i made mine on the cement slab in my garage lol. nothing more then a makiti cordless drill, some screws, and a saw that i used to cut wood while hanging off a chair edge lol.

My entry of my newly set up 55 gal 48"x14"18".

The stand is all wood, sealed, primed and painted in semi gloss black, the doors are recessed, and the hood is split to allow 4 x 40w tubes to be place in it. It has it's own coling fan and night light.

Observe.

http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05542.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05545.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05544.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05546.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05547.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05524.jpg
http://www.informmarine.com/images/images_upload/500/dsc05541.jpg

That's pretty awesome curare.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

So what would be the frequency of this competition? Bi-annually, Annually? Would there be an actual prize besides your name/stand in lights? Would there be catagories, or just lump them all into one(straight stand design, wiring/plumbing, innovative design, the finish)?

Instead of putting the results in a forum, could there be a clickable link right on the main Forum's page?

Some things to think about

-Keith

http://www.ozarkgames.com

Thanks Keith,

My brother and I own a custom cabinet/finishing shop, that's the type of work we do. I've got a 10 foot wall unit in our showroom/office with a 55 in it. I'll post a picture if I can remember to bring my camera to work.

Mike

Last edited by fish479 at 10-Dec-2004 21:51

Keith

I am not knocking your idea.

Having done indrustrial design, furniture design and construction, and interior design at a high level. I think I am qualified to discuss this topic with a lot of confidence.

"electrical wiring, plumbing, and max tank weight"

With electricity and plumbing it requires more skills than just design. As far as "Max tank weight" I am certainly willing to learn a formula on how to calculate that correctly.

Also I am a qualified cabinet maker, having taught cabinet making apprentices, secondary students, furniture design and construction for total of 36 years.
It is very easy to design anything but the big problem is construction, practactiality, and safety.

I have had many a strong discussion about this with architects and so called furniture designers usually these people can design but have little or no knowledge of manufacturing materials or skills required.

Keith

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