tank setup/build thread
 

tank will be 60x30x?

24-30 not sure yet give me opinions on size and why please

Stand frame needs more support to be added this week

also pic of my 15 week old great dane pup who got some primer on her head..lol

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780PICT0611.JPG [/IMG]

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780PICT0612.JPG [/IMG]

Cute puppy man, I have always wanted one of those, awesome dog. I would go with the 30. Bigger is beter!! =]

Go bigger. I just got a 70 gallon Tech and I should have got the 90.

tank support
 

I have added 1 more piece of 2x4 to each corner to make them square 4x4 corners and also 2- 2x4 supports in the rear. I do not wantg to add much to the front I love the wide openeing can I double the cross memeber support from right to left. Like a header in home framing and have enough support. any ideas

updated pic
 

not much time to do anything but here is where i am at

stand frame is basically complete with 2 coats of zinsser and 1 of 3 coats of industrial wood machine paint. Yes that is a pale yellow the room is yellow so I am doing inside of stand yellow and outside will be a dark java stain will make a nice contrast

Here is my question. I want the front to have a large center opening do not want to put a center stud if not needed. how can this be done with teh frame i have constructed if any way. Can I put another 2x4 across the top as a header?? advice[IMG]


[url]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780standdec09.JPG[/url] [/IMG]

updated pics
 

here is the srand with the new frame of teh side cabinet for the reeflow skimmer and geo reactor. shhelves will be installed this weekend and hopefully more skin will be added got some real nice maple plywood for the skin. I also have some high grade birds eye for the trim. WSell all depending if I can get wife to move the winter seen

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780PICT0618.JPG [/IMG]


[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780PICT0619.JPG [/IMG]

updated
 

got the shelves put in the skimmer/r4eactor cabinet

also added coat of stain tonight. I need to do it in stages seing the size I can not move so I do not want the house to totally be fumed will do 2 coats stain then right before plumbing and tank goes in will do 2 more stain and 3 poly

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780dec31.JPG [/IMG]

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780dec31_2.JPG [/IMG]

You could do dome 45's. I would beef it up and also double every leg or triple them. On my stand I tripled every leg. I am making a shelf in the garage that I am going to add some 34 because my sump is under it. I might do it this weekend then ill post some pics.

stand
 

the legs of the main stand are doubled up I never posted the updated pic it is not seen because of the table cloth. that will be coming down soon and I will post pics

I'm a little concerned with the 5' opening and no vertical brace and only a single 2x4 as the span. Anything greater than 4' and IMO you'd either need to use heavier lumber (i.e. 2x6) or sister that span and add an additional 2x4. Of course your other option could be to shrink that opening by about 6" on both sides with vertical 2x4 supports and i'd be able to sleep better at night with a 4' opening. Check out this thread if you haven't already. It has some really good info on building a DIY stand: [url]http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964&perpage=25&pagenumber=1[/url]

Are you facing the outside of the stand with plywood? If so, and if done right, the plywood facing can also act as an additional header support and might make it ok. However, i'm always extra cautious when it comes to stand building.

Header
 

I was not sure about adding another 2x4 I thought so but some framers I Know said not neccasry I think I will to be safe. I am skinning the stand in 3/4 maple plywood

The safer the better...

progress
 

add center brace 2x6. I made the door on the side huge so sump can be put in or removbed through it. Also added that skin and put 2 coats of stain on it so far

[url]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780jan82.JPG[/url]

[url]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780jan8.JPG[/url] [/IMG]

photos
 

not sure why they came as a link here they are[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780jan8.JPG [/IMG]

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/131780jan82.JPG [/IMG]