First ply tank- from 130 to 200 gals

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
what about adding some 2x6s ?





remember, this is a tank that'll be there 2 years, after, it's the house with real projects. i don't want to restart everything from scratch with a new stand and new filter and everything. just want to take off the actual tank and put another. i work and school starts over in 2 weeks so i don't feel like doing the whole thing over and let the actual stand sit in the living room till it's sold.

nywaz, if you guys think its the only solution, fine, but what about the 2x6s ?
 
You are only looking at 6" of overhang. If you want to keep the slimmer profile you maybe able to just double (or maybe triple) the layers of ply on the bottom of your tank. Cost wise is prolly about the same as material to frame and this way you just have to rip a sheet of ply in half trim the ends and you're done.
 
buying the wood tomorrow.

i originally planned on a 3" lip for the window frame. would 2" be enough considering it's going to be fiberglass? i guess an all glass tank dont have this window frame so it should be alright...right?

is there any general rule about that? i'd like to do it as thin as possible so i'd have the most viewing surface possible.
 
2" is plenty. Done right, 1" would be more than enough to seal it in place. As for the stand, I would pull your old stand apart and use the timber from it for a new one. Cut up the horizontal timbers front and back for your cross supports to get the width you need and an extra vertical support maybe. You would only have to purchase 4 x 84" lengths of timber to replace the original horizontals + some cheap ply bracing.
 
thanks! i'll probably go 1" 1/2 then!

as for the stand, the actual tank with the fish is on it. i'll empty the aquarium, take it off, put the new one on the stand, put the water back in it with the fish after. so i can't modify the stand. it's either a complete new one, or the same as it is.

also, i like the look of the tank being larger than the stand, and since people tend to say that it should do it for only 6 inches and some bracing...
 
gorgeous tank, but you need a stand that supports the entire base of the tank. i would be concerned about straining the tank and forcing a leak.
 
ok so i got started yesterday night

just made the box yet, but it's a start. today, cutting the top brace and the window frame.

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