Fishsticks Custom 130Gallon Rimless, LED Build

[fishsticks]

i started building the stand myself, i will only build the frame an take it somewhere to get the finishes done. sofar only the top i finished tomorrow i will start an finish the rest, thing is heavy.

 

[fishsticks]

im using 3/4" plywood, 2x6's around the top and the rest will be built with 2x4's.
using 3" deck screws, rest resistant.

 

[Aquatic]

Looks good so far! Don't forget to measure diagonlly corner to corner to make sure the measurements are the same so it's square!

 

[fishsticks]

crap i didnt think of that, i used a square to help. tomorrow ill check it

 

[Aquatic]

I don't think it would be out of square really as long as you lined up the 2x4's on the edges of the plywood and nailed them in and kept them flush.

 

[fishsticks]

ok i measured it how u explained, im off by 1/8 of an inch. is that ok??

 

[PRC]

That depends if the edge of the tank is gonna hang off the side of the stand.

 

[fishsticks]

no it will be inside, the frame around the top is 3/16 larger, so when i place the tank it will have roughly 1.5/16" clearance all around. the plywood i bought is a perfect 48"x24" same as the tank, but the 2x6s are just a bit bigger coming in at 48.1" and 24.1" that way when i add the front plywood an side plywood i can go up a bit without hitting the tank... hope i didnt lose anyone.

 

[fishsticks]

u can see in my 2nd pic how the plywood sits a bit inside, thats exactly where the tank sits.. when i add front plywood i can go a bit up without hitting the tank.

 

[sen5241b]

Considering that you are in an earthquake zone you might try structured steel instead of 2x4.

 

[fishsticks]

steel? sheesh, lol. i dont remember the last earthquake, i think the stand is gunna b insanely heavy just this top part weighs a ton

 

[fishsticks]

does my skimmer sit at the very end of my sump/fuge, where it makes the u-turn???
all the way to the far left.

 

[fishsticks]

nevermind just measured doesnt fit, i guess it sits on the other side of the fuge.
this side next to the bioballs. where the pump will go to push the water back into the tank, correct??

 

[fishsticks]

i have taken the earthquake thing into consideration, i will install some clips to the back of my tank to the wall of my room incase of an earthquake the tank wont fall over..
also i will be reinforcing the legs on the stand i seen this plan in this forum but not sure where? thanks again for the frame idea whoever u are :bowdown:.

here r some snaps,

the 1st pic u will see the stand complete but not with the legs done.

the 2nd pic u can see what i mean by reinforcing the legs i will add 2 pieces of 2x4's to
each leg to secure and make sure the weight of tank isnt on screws but on solid legs.

the 3rd pic u can see a leg with no extra support.

the pieces of wood on the legs are not cut to size, they are there just for example

 

[Kenny G]

Looks very strong. Nice job. And when the sides and back are put on it , that should keep it from racking side to side under the weight of the full tank.

 

[fishsticks]

i will buy more precut wood since its perfectly cut, my skills suck.
i will put the bottom plywood down then even out the stand, then hopefully take it somewhere so they can finish it up for me.

 

[PRC]

I would recommend more bracing along the sides if you didn't already plan on doing it. Every 16" apart....better be safe than sorry...You're going to have over 1000 lbs of water on that stand.

 

[fishsticks]

Prc where on the sides?

 

[fishsticks]

just dropped off the frame at a local cabinet place, hope they do a good job! :frustrat:

nextweek i start building the tank finally.

 

[PRC]

Check out the first video in my thread...It'll show you an example of my stand.

https://www.livingreefs.com/prcs-new-180g-build-t31748.html

Since you already dropped it off...Call them and tell them to reinforce it with some studs 16 on center..They'll know what you mean.