Hi all, I've been lurking for a while, and did a lot of research before diving in this project. Gotta admit there's a ton of great craftsmanship on this board!
We got this 160g tank to replace the 80g with a built in wet/dry (soon to be for sale in the classifieds) as we felt that it would eventually get too small (too soon) for our mbu puffer. 1st step was to do some research on DIY stands, and after seeing this thread I had an idea of what it was going to be like. It was to be a budget, no frills build, function over form.
So it all starts with a drawing. After taking some measurements, I figure out how big it's gonna be, with accommodations for the bulkhead in one corner. I wanted to go with 4x4's, but armed with just a circular saw I went with 2x4's in 8' lengths, just long enough for the tank. I had wanted to make it a bit longer, but the thought of transporting 10' long 2x4's in my short bed truck wasn't a great idea.
I went to home depot and picked up 12 2x4x8's, 3 2x6x8's, a 1/2" sheet of plywood, two boxes of 2 1/2" and one box of 1 1/4" long wood screws. Total cost (after the California 9.25% tax) was about $65.
First I made the top and bottom frames (sorry most of these were taken with the cell phone); cutting wood on my ghetto bottom half of a table was a bit sketchy...
then brought it inside as at the time there was no way I'd be able to get the stand in to its spot as a whole, then attached the supporting 2x4's and 2x6's.
I had wanted the stand to be slightly wider than the tank so that I'd have a ledge in the front to put stuff if need be; that and I figured the plywood would be good to distribute the weight as well...this is where I really wish I had a table saw.
Then I drilled a 3" hole in the corner (from underneath) for the bulkhead that was sticking out from under the tank.
I had first wanted to put a soon to be DIY wet/dry sump underneath so I used up the rest of the plywood for a lower platform.
Finally it was done, and began cycling the new water in the tank.
As it stands right now, minus the tank that's next to it
Still got lots to do though...soon I'm gonna start on the DIY wet/dry project, then after it's hooked up I'll probably take off one of the Fluvals and clean up everything. Then the lighting project will start, along with adding more plants. Thanks to all of you here that have posted up your DIY projects!
We got this 160g tank to replace the 80g with a built in wet/dry (soon to be for sale in the classifieds) as we felt that it would eventually get too small (too soon) for our mbu puffer. 1st step was to do some research on DIY stands, and after seeing this thread I had an idea of what it was going to be like. It was to be a budget, no frills build, function over form.
So it all starts with a drawing. After taking some measurements, I figure out how big it's gonna be, with accommodations for the bulkhead in one corner. I wanted to go with 4x4's, but armed with just a circular saw I went with 2x4's in 8' lengths, just long enough for the tank. I had wanted to make it a bit longer, but the thought of transporting 10' long 2x4's in my short bed truck wasn't a great idea.
I went to home depot and picked up 12 2x4x8's, 3 2x6x8's, a 1/2" sheet of plywood, two boxes of 2 1/2" and one box of 1 1/4" long wood screws. Total cost (after the California 9.25% tax) was about $65.
First I made the top and bottom frames (sorry most of these were taken with the cell phone); cutting wood on my ghetto bottom half of a table was a bit sketchy...
then brought it inside as at the time there was no way I'd be able to get the stand in to its spot as a whole, then attached the supporting 2x4's and 2x6's.
I had wanted the stand to be slightly wider than the tank so that I'd have a ledge in the front to put stuff if need be; that and I figured the plywood would be good to distribute the weight as well...this is where I really wish I had a table saw.
Then I drilled a 3" hole in the corner (from underneath) for the bulkhead that was sticking out from under the tank.
I had first wanted to put a soon to be DIY wet/dry sump underneath so I used up the rest of the plywood for a lower platform.
Finally it was done, and began cycling the new water in the tank.
As it stands right now, minus the tank that's next to it
Still got lots to do though...soon I'm gonna start on the DIY wet/dry project, then after it's hooked up I'll probably take off one of the Fluvals and clean up everything. Then the lighting project will start, along with adding more plants. Thanks to all of you here that have posted up your DIY projects!
I like things overbuilt...never have to worry about it. The stand is heavier than the tank itself! (dry of course)