Help! I'm scared to set-up my Monster tank!

[STONEDFISH]

I got a 240 long (96x24x25) coming next Saturday. I'm gonna build the stand this week...got to shop this weekend. I was gonna build the stand with 4x4 and 2x4 and 3/4" plywood for the top and floor. I haven't decided what I'm going to do about the sides and doors, I gotta go look at my options.
After this is built and the tank is ready to set-up, where does the foam and shims go? under the tank or the stand? Do you just use little pieces of wood for the shims?
How does the canopy have to sit on the tank so that it doesn't cause problems? I got glass tops! I was gonna build that out of plywood and mount two 36" fluorescent shop lights to it and paint or stain it to match the stand. Should the whole thing be one piece, or build two separate 4' sections and line them up on top?
I already have a FX5, 2 Emperor 400's, 3 Stealth 250 heaters..so I think I'm OK in that aspect.
I'm so pumped to get this done, but I don't want to make any mistakes being hasty. PLEASE HELP ME!
stndfsh

 

[bigspizz]

Just take a deep breath, go do something non fish related and just go with the flow. The foam and the little details can be different depending on the situation. Keep this alive and ask ANYTHING specific and we will all be here with you. I think you could use a bit more filtration. I'm liking the silver look people are doing these days. Good luck as well!

 

[Wolf3101]

I use a strip of 3/4" plywood attached to the insode rim of the hood...Much stronger that the tiny tabs the comercial hoods use. I posted you my basic stand plan that happens to be for a 240 by the way...might give you a few ideas.

If you have a reasonably flat floor and do a good job on the stand then you wont need any shims or even IMO a foam sheet under the tank.

 

[pirarucu319]

wanna extra hand??
call me out..
hahahah..
GoOD luCK...
let see those complete setup later..

ANCIENT MONSTER RULEZ

 

[Wolf3101]

I'll be using 4 E400's with supercartrages on our 240 along with the FX5 and 4 hydro5's.

 

[STONEDFISH]

Thanks for the plans wolf!! I have an established Mag 350 that will be on with the other filters at first to help get things going, then probably gonna add a second FX5.
Does this piece foam have to be the exact footprint of my tank? Does it just squash into oblivion once you fill the tank?
How much does that 240 weigh empty? How many people should I have help me do this?
stndfsh

 

[Wolf3101]

It depends on the brand...mines 5/8" glass but most of them are 1/2" that makes a LOT of differance in weight. Count on at least 6 people however for safetys sake if nothing else. I don't use the foam personally but a lot of people do. It would go between the bottom of the tank and the top of the base but IMO it creates more problems than it solves...high spots and the like...The tank was designed to support the entire weight on the outer portion of the lower frame. The plywood frame base isn't absolutly necessary with a glass tank the way it is with an acryllic but over built is ALWAYS better here in earthquake country...

The key to my stand design is to use a cut off saw and jig to get each of the legs the EXACT same length.