DIY 120 Stand

[Doc_Polit]

Well.....after all but disappearing from the hobby, I have decided to jump back in with a 120-gallon (48"x24"x24") Discus tank.

Here is the start of my DIY stand:

Bottom (Upside Down)


Bottom Detail


Bottom Tray


To add strength to the legs, they are constructed with dowels as well as screws & glue.




Legs are attached using a Kreg pocket hole kit and pocket hole screws.






I used dowels to anchor the legs to the base frame as well.


Legs installed


Top Frame. I used laminated 2x4's on the front because there will be no center support to interfere with sump access.


Top frame added. Basic frame is now complete.




Stay tuned. I will be adding additional structural supports and sealing frame soon.

 

[jwalkerafc7]

looks good. you going to paint it or put any siding on it?

 

[Doc_Polit]

Yep......all in due time. Gotta finish the structural strength first.

 

[john73738]

Always good work here,

Look forward to the finished product.

 

[jvasquez9248]

Looks great, nice job.

 

[Doc_Polit]

Well, after completing the frame for a stand to accommodate my 120 gallon, I sold it to another fishkeeper as my wife and I are renovating and considered the possibility of a built-in tank instead. I had a contractor friend evaluate the new plan but it would not work out due to structural issues. So.....time to build another frame. This one is nearly identical to the one I just sold but with slight variances based on which materials I had on hand.

I nearly managed to get it completed in a single afternoon. Of course, having ample power tools (not to mention practice) speeds up the process immensely.








This time around, I decided to invest the time to remove the "crown" from all of the 2x4's. This involves removing the width of the blade on both sides of the plank and ensures much truer lumber to build with.


I decided to go with a slightly larger base as I had 1x6's available as opposed to 1x4's.


The bottom deck is 3/8" mdf which will be sealed to prevent swell from moisture.


Again, dowels were used (although larger 3/8" dowels) as well as Kreg pocket screws to beef up leg attachment.





The legs are on, straight and true.




That is where I ran out of energy and hours. Construction and addition of top frame takes place tomorrow.

 

[spotted-elk]

great job looks real nice i just got a 100 im kinda thinking about making 1 but i dnt think im skilled enough to

 

[Doc_Polit]

I made some progress on the stand tonight before the storm knocked out out power. Tough to build in the dark.

Got the basic top frame on.


Added some structural support on the back side.


View from the front.


View from the back.


Structure is complete.



Skinning should start tomorrow.

 

[Doc_Polit]

I put in a short evening in the shop tonight. I am getting a little burned out. I managed to start the skinning process anyway.

First, I added 2 more supports to prevent racking.


Then, I ripped down 1x10 in to strips of 1/2" x 3/4".


I mounted the strips on the back side of 1/2" oak plywood panels.



The panels were then fastened (brad nailed) flush with the sides as "inserts".



Here is the view from beside the stand. Not sure why the oak looks so strange in this shot.


Stay tuned. More to come later in the week.

 

[Doc_Polit]

In order to give the inside of the stand a "finished" appearance, I decided to line it with 1/4" MDF which will be primed and painted to protect it against moisture.

Here is how the back looks now.


A closer look.


A look at a side.


I even trimmed out the bottom lip.


Then, all of the seams were sealed with Mono Ultra Exterior (Paintable) Caulking.




Next comes the priming and painting of the interior. I really dislike painting.