120g stand design -- what do you guys think?

[RagtopRacer]

This is for a 120g (60x18x26). The frame will be skinned with finish plywood (all sides, top, bottom, maybe some of the back. 3 doors on the front, maybe one on the left side for a possible sump, but I may opt for a large canister--still pondering. I put the 2x4's flat in order to maximize the interior volume, and also added cross bracing (technically I live in a mild earth quake zone). I plan to use deck screws and glue.

 

[joefish72b]

Looks like a very strong design. Good job.

 

[Dial92]

looks over made but as you are in an earthquake zone thats good. awesome design

 

[RagtopRacer]

Thanks guys. I'm actually thinking of removing the diagonal bracing, thinking the plywood skin will offer similar/good enough benefits. I'm leaning towards 3 removable panels for the back (held in with a lot of screws), and likely around 5/8" plywood for the front & sides. Either that, or I will just have some cutouts for wires, plumbing, & venting. The top, bottom, & back would use maybe 1/2".

I actually started building this yesterday--will post some pics in next couple of days. The top & bottom horizontal structures are almost fully assembled & glued.

 

[RagtopRacer]

Progress on the build. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking, but I've now got a basic frame. It's not yet glued together (pics just show a dry fit).

While test fitting everything together, it became apparent how bad my garage floor is--some of the pics make it look like my stand bottom is bowed--checked with a 4' level, and my stand is flat.

Next steps are to glue everything together. The vertical 2x4's are held in place with 2 dowel pins each at both ends, but I'm going to augment with pocket holes (see holes in 1st pic). Some diagonal bracing goes in next (will deviate a bit from my original plans), including some 45 degree gussets at the top. I'm mostly concerned about front to back lateral stability.

I picked up a submersible pump & 29g aquarium cheap on CL, but the pics show I don't have a lot of clearance at the top. I didn't want to make the stand any taller (it's 28" total), so I will probably replace the sump tank with something shorter, but a bit longer.

 

[rwellbaum]

very nice looks good!

 

[RagtopRacer]

Thanks. I'll update with more pics after I make some progress--hopefully by the end of this coming weekend. By then I hope to have some good progress on the additional bracing and skin.

 

[RagtopRacer]

Finished frame with diagonal bracing (reduced from original design):


Close-up of end brace--I like glue


This is a mock-up of what it might look like--still negotiating final look with the wife


I used a plate jointer to join all the maple facing, then used a brad nailer to keep it in place while the glue drys. The entire face is glued onto the 2x4's.


Pics of completed facing


I used sanded plywood for the right side


view of removable panels. I will cut access holes later.


Right now the thing feels crazy solid--probably didn't need the right side brace, but it helps me sleep better at night.

The next steps are to work on the molding for the front, and start designing the side door. The side door will likely have some molding and I do not want it to be obvious that it's a door as this side will be visible. I think this will be my primary access door if I decide to ever get a large canister instead of my sump.

 

[rwellbaum]

looks very nice