First Monster Build????

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
H

hapgaz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 31, 2011
12
0
0
Columbia, MO
Hey guys and gals, I reeeaaaallllyy need your input and help on this one. I think I can convince my wife to let me set up a large tank if I can prove there is a place to do so.

She also would like a new hutch. The space I could build a hutch to replace what is there now is 7 feet tall, can afford something with a depth of probably no more than 20 inches, and a length of between 4 and 5 feet.

My hope is to build a substantial hutch that has drawers, and cabinets up to 36 inches high, then an opening at 36 inches to house the toaster oven and coffee maker, and then an aquarium on top of it all. My hopes are that I can get an aquarium in the 75-125 gallon range on top of the hutch.

I understand this project is probably very one of a kind, but I desperately want to figure this out. I can't find any plans that might be able to be a starting point for this project.

Please please please resond to the thread with ideas, plands, suggestions, laughter, whatever!!!!

I believe the project would be awesome and would allow a rather large tank to be more or less at perfect viewing level.

Open to anything, let me know ASAP, as I want to get started, and would of course post pic heavy threads on it being done.

HEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPP MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! :cry:
 
I hope your good with the wood. You have greeat ambition. I wish you all the luck in the world. With all the weght I would personaly anchor off to the wall for the added support. If you get some plans I would like to get a copy of them
 
You are definately going to have to anchor it to the wall with the height and shallow depth. I would do doubled up 2x4s for the four corner verticals. Put some diagonal bracing as well with a stand that tall. Dont forget that you are going to need a filter under the tank somewhere. so take that into consideration when building your drawers
 
what about using metal industrial shelving with a capacity of 3,000lbs per shelf and then building a wood shell to go around it to look like a hutch and hold the drawers? Would I still need to anchor the shelving to the wall with this method? Just to clarify, the bottom of the tank would be no higher than roughly 55 inches.
 
I'm thinking something from here http://www.equipto.com/pdf/Shelving and Racks.pdf

Even though the best selection would have 60" high posts, I would set the highest shelf (where the aquarium would sit at no more than 54") Then I would build around the shelving to create the hutch look. I think I would select 60"L x 24"D x 60"H and then the aquarium dimensions would be 60"L x 22"D x 20"H which would come out to roughly 115 gallons!

Any thoughts? Do you think I would still have to anchor it to the wall?
 
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