225gal stand and sump

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Backfromthedead

Backfromthedead

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jul 12, 2017
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Fredericksburg va
So after considering a 150 and 180 for my growing cichlids, currently housed in a 75, I ordered up a 225 gallon marineland glass (72x24x30) and I now have less than a month to construct a stand for it, which should be doable.

A couple of questions for you wily vets:

I want to construct the stand so I can easily access the sump, which will be my old 75 gallon tank, directly under the display tank. It's 48 inches across so my question is how should I set up the supports? Maybe 2 2x4s a foot apart on each end? Or would I definitely need a couple on center to support the weight? I've built cabinets and benches before just nothing that's supposed to support over a ton lol.

As far as the sump itself, Id like to install a single overflow directly in the center of the tank. Would that be adequate or should i go with two or more overflows spaced out more?

Also, at what depth should the overflows be drilled and how large should they be?

Thanks!
 
For the stand on my 72x30x25 I left the back open and have a removable center brace. At setup time I place the stand a few feet away from the wall, slid in my 75g sump placed the center brace in(tight fit, may have needed a mallet), secured the brace with pocket screws using a kregg jig and slid the stand into its final resting place before putting the tank on it.

I be seen many tanks with a center overflow and don't recall any complaints, I had an external overflow on the end of my tank so I can't speak from experience with a center wier overflow.
 
Thanks!

I ended up canceling that order on the marineland and decided to go with a tank from glasscages instead. When I talked to the guy and he told me he would install the overflows exactly how I wanted them I was sold.

I'm actually split between your size tank, the 72x30x25, and the taller 240, the 72x24x31. Going to do a single center overflow with either of 1.5" and a 75 gal sump.

I intended to build the stand so I could access the sump from the front through cabinets, leaving a 48" section of the front without a support to the ground, but maybe 2 2x4s at 0 and 12 inches from each end, and maybe a 2x10 joist lagged into those running the length of the stand on the front to handle the weight.

I had another idea of maybe just a steel shelf and building removable panels to hang on that. Would be cost effective and practical.

Where is your tank located? 1st or upper floor?
 
http://imgur.com/avFxelx This is the framing for my stand, it's a little tall but it's easy to access the sump. My house is a ranch on a slab so it's on concrete. If/when I upgrade again I would think about a steel stand and skinning it by I don't regret my diy stand one bit. Here's the finished product, found doors made to size online for $40-50 so I went that route http://imgur.com/r6VpkyF
 
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That's a great job. Certainly looks sturdy. I wasn't planning for near that amount of reinforcement on the supports but I guess I should...steel rack is looking more and more attractive.
 
Even if it's rated for 3k I would be nervous with that. It's been a few years since I shopped for mine but I want to say a proper steel stand welded and painted was around $400.
 
bbortko said:
Even if it's rated for 3k I would be nervous with that. It's been a few years since I shopped for mine but I want to say a proper steel stand welded and painted was around $400.
Click to expand...

Right but a 240 shouldn't top more than What? 2500? 2600 lbs? What shelves were you looking at? I was trying to find the sturdier ones possible
 
bbortko said:
https://www.dasaquariums.com/products/galvanized-steel-aquarium-stands?variant=1403645827

Not here specifically but this style. If you know any iron workers or pipe fitters they should be able to do it as a side job.
Click to expand...

I am a welder myself but I couldn't use the shop at hq. Too many stupid coworkers who would notice my misuse of company property.

But I could probably stickweld a couple of x frames onto that other shelf. That's the only difference I see as far as support.
 
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