Building stands for multiple tanks???

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Day 3, and not much new going on in the way of construction, bought paint and some wood yesterday. Didn't get the 13 footers or the 2x2s, need to go back for those. Got all my existing wood marked and ready to cut/paint today, and some little extra pieces of wood marking where the whole thing is going. Total length: 160.5". Height: 58.5". It appears construction will be pushed to either tonight or tomorrow.

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End of day 3, got like... 60% of the painting done? Pushing even further back, I don't think construction is happening this weekend, fish'll have to stick it out on the floor over the next few days. I also went and got my 2x2s, found out (from a more competent home depot worker this time) that I do NOT in fact, "have to wait until Monday to talk to someone who can possibly get the 16 foot beams delivered in a couple of days, after ordering them online", and can contrarily, rent a pickup for $20. Had my first loss in the floor tanks, the airline tubing in my meeki/"chetumalensis" tank popped out, and the biggest (growout) coba meeki did not take the low oxygen too well.

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By some fine stroke of luck, my dad got off jury duty early today, so we got to go buy my 13 footers. Finishing up painting the smaller pieces, then I'll paint the 13 footers while I still have sunlight, and start building tonight.

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My hat's off to anyone who can find 6 straight 16 footers at home depot. Bows won't really matter but crowns can be tank busters. I noticed the plastic miter box and hand saw so I'm guessing you don't have access to a planer. I've found a cheap and easy fix to slight imperfections in lumber and craftsmanship to be clearanced out 3/8 yoga mats cut into strips and glued to the stand. Cheaper and looks better than pink foam board
 
And we're back, started construction last night at like 11, but got tired and figured this was a good place to leave off.

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Day... 6? Started work on the second level.
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Got the second level ready to flip into the first level;
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Flipped, and it would appear I've made some... Miscalculations.
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My attempt at fixing said miscalculations:
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Some more miscalculations later, and I've got everything hammered/screwed in. I was trying to put some of the (redundant) vertical supports in to the sides, but found that one side was weird and not level, so I got bored and figured it was a good place to stop.
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Very nice! That looks strong from here. Good thing you painted all those pieces before assembly.
Are you gonna have carpet underneath? My carpet gets kinda soaked every few years, ya know, when I miscalulate how often I should check levels during refills. Dunno how that happens?
 
Day 7, starting the top rack
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Getting everything lined up just to get a gauge on how everything fits:
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Angriest a build has ever made me, I got so close to finishing the top rack, but while fitting one of the little platform things in, the shortest piece in the entire build split, setting me back about an hour.
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Got it in:
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Risers are in and the thing is ready to flip.
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Top rack flipped in, everything set and level... Surprisingly
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And done, first tanks are in.
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I'll be setting everything back up tomorrow. Top rack is extremely underengineered, as I am not expecting to get the 60s for awhile. It is in need of a LOT of upgrades, but for now, it is just for show, and at least I know it can hold 196 lbs on one section (yes I know that is nothing compared to the full (over) half ton that'll be sitting on it. Total weight of everything will be a little over two tons once it's finished.
 
I realize I never posted the finished product:
(An older picture, I've since set up the rightmost 10 and the two leftmost 40s, and taken down a 10)

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Newer pic
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