Any one build a stand a put cloth around it?

NeveSSL · #1 02/17/2007, 08:56 PM

Hi all!

Just wondering what you guys thought of building a stand out of 2x4s with a plywood top and bottom and just covering it up with black cloth instead of doing wood all the way around?

I've a feeling there would probably be greater noise, but is this doable? Also, how much money could I save doing this? Or is there a cheaper way to DIY a stand. I have a friend who is really good with wood who is going to help me with this, so I'm good on that end.

I am in the position of not completely ready for a tank this summer, but I've got a friend who is moving and offered me all of his live rock and live sand (about 60lbs of LR, not sure how much sand) so I'm trying to think of any and all ways that I can get a 90 gallon up and going as cheaply as possible so I don't have to buy another larger tank later (a 90 gallon is what I'm wanting).

Any help is much appreciated!

Brandon

simion3 · #2 02/17/2007, 09:33 PM

I don't think it would look as nice but thats really up to you because your the one who has to look at it lol. Wood around the sides would add to the overall structure of the stand although the 2x4's would be enough on their own if built properly IMO.

NeveSSL · #3 02/17/2007, 09:40 PM

I definitely agree... its not going to look as nice... but I can probably add a wood bottom to it later... I am going to have to be the ultimate cheapo on this project, but I would really rather not sacrifice the size of my tank.

Anyone else have any thoughts or, even better, has anyone done this or similar?

Thanks!

Brandon

shag26272 · #4 02/17/2007, 11:22 PM

doesnt seem like a bad idea as long as your stand is stron enough without it, the plywood adds and incredible amount of strength to the stand

ratimpulse · #5 02/17/2007, 11:24 PM

If you dont mind your setup to look like crap then i think you would be fine

rivdog · #6 02/17/2007, 11:33 PM

harsh rat..lol

NeveSSL · #7 02/17/2007, 11:36 PM

It would only be temporary... so I don't mind it looking like crap for a bit of time.

How does the plywood around the outside add a lot of strength?

I could understand a bit, but not a whole lot... although I'm a COMPLETE noob when it comes to wood...

Thanks.

Brandon

fat-tony · #8 02/17/2007, 11:51 PM

plywood anchors everything and actually takes on a great deal of load. It's a HUGE strength adder.

NeveSSL · #9 02/18/2007, 12:18 AM

Ahhh... I see...

Kind of like a giant cross-brace?

Maybe I'll just try to find one used instead... or bite the bullet...

We'll see... I've still got a few months... and I may sell the rock instead of trying to do my tank... I'm not sure that I can afford it just yet (I'm married and in college

)...

Brandon

smacdone · #10 02/18/2007, 01:48 AM

How much can Plywood possible be? i dont think it would be much more than a nice black fabric you want and the added strength and security. IMO it just seems stupid to try to go cheap a on stand when you might weaken it and all that weight will cause it to crash down.... then think of all that money you saved

Tang Salad · #11 02/18/2007, 02:24 AM

Ok, I'll be the contrarian...

I have my metal stand covered in black fabric. The tank is a 110g peninsula, viewable from three sides. In the stand I have a small sump and very large refugium. It's nice to be able to access these things from all three sides. This wouldn't be possible with a hardcovered stand.

The nice thing about the fabric is that it's easy to remove. It's held on with strong magnets. It looks quite nice, too.

Tang Salad · #12 02/18/2007, 02:26 AM

As to the question of strength. I think true stupidity would be building a stand so weak that it needed a plywood skin to add strength.

If the stand itself is designed properly, then you can choose whatever covering you like.

NeveSSL · #13 02/18/2007, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smacdone
... IMO it just seems stupid to try to go cheap a on stand when you might weaken it and all that weight will cause it to crash down.... then think of all that money you saved

I'm only going cheap on aesthetics... thats not stupid. Fabric is actually quite cheap... I seriously doubt its more than plywood or anywhere near the cost.

In fact, what I'm probably going to do is buy a used tank locally if I can find one... or I'll actually probably wait for one... I'll stick the rock in a garbage can with a powerhead and a heater, feed it every once in a while, and wait for the proper used tank to come along.

As Tang Salad said, true stupidity woul dbe building a stand so weak that it needed plywood to add strength...

Brandon

FatmanII · #14 02/18/2007, 03:17 AM

I did that for my girlfriends 10g nano, Im not sure about using it for a larger system.

Muscles · #15 02/18/2007, 06:07 PM

I have a 92 corner tank with a stand I made. Two pie peices of oak plywood routered on the edges, with plywood inset 1/4", and oak 2x2s for the supports. I was going to get a piece of oak paneling and use magnets to secure it to plywood giving it the look of a column. Needless to say I procrastinated because I was too busy setting up the fishroom in the basement. I came home one day and the wife used a left over curtain from the living room, a sewing machine, and some twine to make a skirt that can be opened. I have to give it to her it looks damn good. I saved some money on the wood. All my equipment is in the basement so noise isn't an issue. The only issue I do have is my son thinks it's a great place hide. The skirt can be changed when we change the curtains.

coyoteseven · #16 02/18/2007, 06:29 PM

I have an old stand for my 44g pentagonal tank that I took the facing/door off and replaced with cloth (terry cloth bath towel). It allowed me greater access to the sump and doesn't look too bad. When the covering gets too dirty, I take it off, throw it in the washing machine and put it back on.

The noise coming from it isn't too bad either... in fact, I like the slight hum and gurgling noise.

It's when I hear nothing, that I worry.

cmulawka · #17 02/18/2007, 07:06 PM

Brandon I am going to rename this thread to the Throw back stand build.LOL. My first tank was a 75g Piranha Tank sitting on Cinder blocks I found and a piece of plywood ontop the size on the bottom of the tank. I stapled black cloth to the wood and let the rest just hang down. I thought it looked badA** . I wouldnt worry about building a stand. I seen you never had a marine Tank before so I assume you are going to start a Fish Only (f/o). I would start by getting some money together a couple of hundred from birthday,cutting grass Whatever then go on craigslist.com you can usally find cheap 55g all day long with everything from tops,stand,lights,heater evrything you need for dirt cheap some times freshwater setups that can easily be salt. Start with one of these first the are a good size and you can allways put a sump on later and have a setup going.

Kenzy · #18 02/18/2007, 09:05 PM

I covered a metal stand with a black fake leather. It was held in place with velcro. It looked not to bad and was easy to remove when needed. This was on a 90g tank that was in my bedroom at the time.

Still some one with basic wood working skills could easily and relatively cheaply make a good wooden stand.

NeveSSL · #19 02/19/2007, 01:16 AM

Hmmm... I forgot about the good ole cinderblock option... what a classic!

This will be my first marine tank, but I'm receiving 60lbs of live rock and some live sand (I'm not sure how much) for free, so I think I'm gonna go with a reef tank. I may start with a 55 gallon on cinderblocks, just because I'm going to be in a bit of a hurry as my friend is moving and I am married and in college, so money will be a premium.

I can get a 50 gallon for $60 new locally (glasscages.com), so I may go that route. I really want to get a 90 gallon to begin with, but I'm afraid its going to be a little bit more than I can probably spend (both now and later... more tank = more salt needed and more fish and more food and more lighting and etc.) ... but we'll see. Plus, we're in an apartment and could move within a year and don't have a ton of space... really not in an absolutely great position for a 90 gallon... lol.

Anyways, thanks again for all of the replies!

Brandon

Icefire · #20 02/19/2007, 08:30 AM

Made a 36"x20"x36" stand for both a 50G/33G tank/sump in 2x4 and 1/2" Select Plywood under 60$

RichConley · #21 02/19/2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NeveSSL
I'm only going cheap on aesthetics... thats not stupid. Fabric is actually quite cheap... I seriously doubt its more than plywood or anywhere near the cost.

In fact, what I'm probably going to do is buy a used tank locally if I can find one... or I'll actually probably wait for one... I'll stick the rock in a garbage can with a powerhead and a heater, feed it every once in a while, and wait for the proper used tank to come along.

As Tang Salad said, true stupidity woul dbe building a stand so weak that it needed plywood to add strength...

Brandon

Plywood is like $18 a sheet. If you can't afford an $18 sheet of plywood, you can't afford a reef tank. Period.

You will NEVER be able to build a stand without plywood that is as resistant to wracking with just 2x4s.(at a price near the stand with ply) The 2x4s are great for vertical support, but they can't do anything to prevent twisting. That plywood is whats doing that.

FWIW, chuck all but about 5lbs of the live sand. You don't want someone elses fish's crap in your tank. You just want seeder cultures, and you only need a cup or two for that. Buy all new sand (just get Kolorscape, $6/50lbs)

douggiestyle · #22 02/19/2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
You will NEVER be able to build a stand without plywood that is as resistant to wracking with just 2x4s.(at a price near the stand with ply) The 2x4s are great for vertical support, but they can't do anything to prevent twisting. That plywood is whats doing that.

rich you couldnt be more wrong. nice stand out of 2x4, all thats needed is a small hand saw and screw driver. wrap it in fabric.

if you dont have the right tools or the patiance and skill to use two hand tools your plywood stand will look like all heck.

had for years a cinder block and 2x4 stand for a 55g discus tank. had it wraped with an old sheet that had this cool print on it. it looked great imo as well as anyone who came to the apartment.

rich, dont judge what can and cannot be afforded.

by the way i have a stand made out of 1x3 that is very stable. it supports a 90g bowfront. and ive moved the tank across the house and back with it half full (notice the positive outlook) with out any problems with twisting or colapsing.

douggiestyle · #23 02/19/2007, 02:02 PM

and also rich. say you decided to buy my house and take the reef tank that is installed in the basement (hypothetical as i dont have a reef tank in the basement). are you going to completely empty it and replace everything cause you dont want my fish crap. makes no sense. if someone is giving you there reef tank why would you start new? btw this is an honest question. i suppose if you were at the house and everything was dying and covered in ick ok i would start new and salvage the equipment. but if that is not the case, why?

NeveSSL · #24 02/19/2007, 06:46 PM

What plywood that looks good and can be finished is $18 a sheet? None that I know of and so I therefore decided that a black sheet may just do the trick. However, in the case that I'm wrong, I'd love to hear about it! (honestly!) If nothing else, cheap plywood could possibly be wrapped in a sheet.

I have yet to hear that you have to have plywood on a stand before it will work, but I understand the point of the plywood keeping the stand from twisting under load.

As far as the plywood cost goes, its not that I can't afford it, its that I consider it to possibly be an expense that can be avoided now and consumed later. I am going to be in a position to where I will need a setup pretty quickly and my tank, skimmer, powerheads, RO/DI take precedence over plywood.

Brandon