Glass Lids and Stand for 180...

[dbcb314]

Where can you buy glass lids for a 180 (6x2)? I can't seem to find any wide enough.

Also, when building a stand, should the braces be 4x4's instead of 2x4's with a tank this size? My current 75 gallon stand is just 2x4's, but I worry they wouldn't be able to take the weight of a 180 filled with water.

Thanks for your time,

DB

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

Properly constructed 2x4's will be more than strong enough. Search this section for stand builds for more tips.
To get the proper lids you need to know the tank manufacturer. There may be a label on the bottom or your LFS may be able to look up by the size.
You can buy the hardware (hinge, handle, filler panel) to make your own glass top if you can't get the proper one. Check your yellow pages for your local glass shop.

 

[dbcb314]

up

 

[deeda]

Kawamikie's advice is exactly what I wanted to post.

4x4's tend to warp more than 2x lumber so I used 2x lumber for my 125G tank.

Does you 180G tank have any center braces? Knowing the tank manufacturer enables you to order the glass lids properly. Otherwise, you can measure the spacing between the braces and order the glass from a local glazier and the plastic rear trim spacer from your LFS or online.

 

[pjsmetana]

On my 150g stand I used 8 2x6's from the ground up for my stand, then I surrounded the top and bottom with 2x4's and used 2x4's for cross bracing. I didn't use 4x4's because they take up way too much room inside the stand. 2x4's should be plenty strong, but I wanted to reuse the the doors from my old stand, so 2x6's fit much better. Its also easier to find a straight 2x6 than it is to find a straight 2x4, and its almost impossible to find a straight 4x4.

New stand on top of old stand. Same construction, but much beefier.

Pic of cross braces and placement of 2x6's. I rounded the edges of the 2x6's and I placed the 2x4's below the level where the bottom of the tank would be so it would not hit. Placing this way prevents the possibility of warpage cracking your tank later... as most of us keep our tanks at a different temp from the ambient air temp inside our houses.

If you need any advice on building your stand, I'd be glad to help.