Stand Adjustment

[Damascus]

Looking to modify my stand without taking down my tank.

My sump (55) isn't big enough to support my 300g stocking anymore. I have a 125 but can't fit it under the stand due to the 4x4 center support.

I didn't build this stand, so I am not exactly sure, but wondering if I can either:

Take this support out

Shave the support down on the inside 1"

Take the support out, support stand with Jack's, and replace with 2 by material


Thoughts?

 

[tlindsey]

Looking to modify my stand without taking down my tank.

My sump (55) isn't big enough to support my 300g stocking anymore. I have a 125 but can't fit it under the stand due to the 4x4 center support.

I didn't build this stand, so I am not exactly sure, but wondering if I can either:

Take this support out

Shave the support down on the inside 1"

Take the support out, support stand with Jack's, and replace with 2 by material


Thoughts?

View attachment 1481096

View attachment 1481097

View attachment 1481098

I personally would leave it as is.

 

[Damascus]

I personally would leave it as is.

So there's no way I can do anything to get that 125 underneath it?

Really need the extra sump space

 

[deeda]

Did you already check the 125G will fit both height and width wise under the existing stand? That 55G looks as if there is very little room to access above it.

 

[markstrimaran]

Laminate the cross beam with .25" carbon fiber. Can you weld? You could fit a 2x2 .25" steel tube behind the wood up against the plywood the tank sits on and then brace it vertically with wood end posts.

 

[esoxlucius]

As I see it I wouldn't touch any of the 6 main supports, especially if you're planning on doing some remedial work whilst the tank is still full!!

However, that diagonal piece at the end of the stand, which isn't a support, can come out, and you can slide your old sump out, and slide a bigger one in. And then put the diagonal piece back.

Your new sump may have to be something other than a standard 125 though, as D deeda mentioned, it looks tight under there. As I see it your new sump would have to be long, narrow and not that high, maybe a custom built one just for that job.

Put some thought into it, with ease of maintenance on the sump being a clear priority.

 

[Damascus]

As I see it I wouldn't touch any of the 6 main supports, especially if you're planning on doing some remedial work whilst the tank is still full!!

However, that diagonal piece at the end of the stand, which isn't a support, can come out, and you can slide your old sump out, and slide a bigger one in. And then put the diagonal piece back.

Your new sump may have to be something other than a standard 125 though, as D deeda mentioned, it looks tight under there. As I see it your new sump would have to be long, narrow and not that high, maybe a custom built one just for that job.

Put some thought into it, with ease of maintenance on the sump being a clear priority.

The 125 won't fit between the supports. It fits every other way however. I have 17" in between these supports, and the 125 would have 5 inches of clearance on top.

I'm looking to modify the center supports or replace them to accommodate this new sump

 

[fishguy1978]

Plan A: Drain the tank down until only enough water is left to keep you aro submerged. Have a temporary support ready made from 2x4 and install the temporary support off center so as to be able to remove the 55g and place the 125g. Reinstall the center brace, refill the tank and check for leaks.

Plan B: catch the Aro and have a temporary holding tub ready. Drain the tank down so as to just keep the rays cover and perform the needed work. You could replace the center brace with 2 braces evenly spaced off center.

 

[Damascus]

Plan A: Drain the tank down until only enough water is left to keep you aro submerged. Have a temporary support ready made from 2x4 and install the temporary support off center so as to be able to remove the 55g and place the 125g. Reinstall the center brace, refill the tank and check for leaks.

Plan B: catch the Aro and have a temporary holding tub ready. Drain the tank down so as to just keep the rays cover and perform the needed work. You could replace the center brace with 2 braces evenly spaced off center.

I was planning on draining the water down prior to messing with anything. The aro is staying in there as she doesn't move well unfortunately

Do you think 2 2by4 placed equally off center would be adequate frontal support?

 

[fishguy1978]

I ran some numbers through the https://woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator/. Your stand members look to be 2x6 doubled up and the tank weighs approx 3000 full. If the tank is 8ft x 2ft the deflection of the front support is only 0.03in , if 10ft then only 0.05in, without a brace. The addition of the 3/4 plywood does increase the support strength. This amount of sag will be noticeable to the eye but would be temporary. I would still recommend draining the tank to reduce weight before accomplishing the swap.
My 260g (7ft x 30in x 24in) sits on a frame built of 2x8 doubled up with 3 layers of 3/4ply but the tanks has 100lbs plus of gravel and lots of large rocks so similar weight to your 300g. I do not use a center brace.