New fish room, pictures as I go.

[nfored]

Today I got the lumber to build the frames for both stands, on stand for my 220 and one for the dual 55's.

Started and finished framing the 220 gallon stand today, hope to wrap it in plywood, and start on the canopy tomorrow. I have three concerns so far; the major one is, the middle of the stand is slightly bowed. At the start of the left and right side the, stand is 25 inches wide; however in the middle between the two middle supports the stand is 25.5 inches. This is a gradual curve hard to see almost.

My other minor concern is the middle legs are not 100% aligned, this is not causing any leveling problems, just wondering about weight distribution.

My last concern is the electrical wiring, when trying to staple it to the frame; I pierced the jacket a few times. I removed all staples that penetrated.

You can see in the pictures of the top how the legs don’t align, when completed I will house a 220,, 2 55’s, 2 20’s.

 

[Tilapia Buttikoferi]

sweet man, looking good ima keep tuned into this one..

 

[Ullopincrate]

Keep us tuned in.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

The alignment of the 2x4's is not a problem. The weight is resting on the shorter ones vertically. You could space them out a inch from each other and it will still perform as needed. _ - _ <-like that and it would be fine. So no wrries there. ---------And about the frame being bowed. If you are worried about it. cover the top in some heavy ply. Or take out the middle supports and shorten them and use screws to suck in the 1/2'' bow.

 

[shiv]

Wow a dream come true............

 

[nfored]

Thank you everyone, what size ply should I use on the top? I was thinking the sides of the stand I can use some 3/8 ply since its only their for stablization.

 

[mdb_talon]

Good looking stand.

As for the bowing I would probably put about 1/2 thick plywood on the base and then a thick (maybe 2") piece of dense styrofoam on top. That should help even it out some. Because of the way you have the supports braced that bow is not going to go away with weight (you braced it good). Without something to distibute that weight I would worry about having the pressure point in the middle of the tank. Other option could be to put a few evenly spaced 2x4s the lenght of the stand on the top. Shimming underneath the 2x4 to make it level all the way across and then put plywood on top of that. I dont like shimming directly underneath plywood which is why I would suggest the 2x4s first. Either way though I would still use the styrofoam.

Personally would not worry at all about the leg alignment.

As for wiring as long as the insulation on the individual wires is not pierced you should be fine I would just put electrical tape around the jacket.

Anyway just my opinions. Like the stand though.

 

[duke33]

Thank you everyone, what size ply should I use on the top? I was thinking the sides of the stand I can use some 3/8 ply since its only their for stablization.

I would go with 3/4" marine. Looking good so far.

 

[Pharaoh]

I used 3/8" plywood on my huge multiple tank stand. Worked just fine.

 

[nfored]

I removed the cross bracings and shortend them by about .5 inches reattached them, and the bowing is gone. I also added a center spine to the stand.

I put the top and back on, plus made the cabinets. Tomorrow I will go to HD grab some wood putty,and some sand paper, Will put on the front, and sides; and putty all the cracks. My hope is to be sanding and staining by thursday.

Looking at pictures of you guys building these stands looks much easier then doing it. I am tired and sore like I am an old man lol