Tank or Stand?

[Beaker]

Anyone ever build their own tank or stand? Just curious how it went, was it worth it, what was the biggest you built? I would think it would be very difficult, but very gratifying to build your own set up. I might try it in the future myself, but wanted to hear some of your opinions and experiences. Also, what other things have you built yourself, like the water changer in the other post---good idea.

[harmonic]

ive got a great series of pics from building a stand for a 40br... if only i knew how to post pics.... :(

[SGypsyMermaid]

harmonic--look in the lounge--tom has posted info on how to put up your pics: the gallery is open!

[Boilermaker]

Beaker, I just finished a 29g stand lastnight set it up today. There's some good articles on stand building at "The Krib" website, Its fairly simple once you get started, and its fun. I used the 135g plans and scaled it down,and then I trimmed it out wich isn't necessary but it looks a lot nicer.

[chennes]

Just watch out for the plans on the web that call for 8000 2x4s and some steel ribbing! :)

Many of the plans on the web are waaaay overbuilt, the amount of material required being sort of heuristically determined by the scary thought of just how much that tank actually weighs. If you look at most stands that you buy in a store, they are simple ordeals with very little "ribbing." The compressive strength of MDF or even just particle board is much higher than the pressure your tank will exert on it, up to around 100 gallons, anyway - at that point you will want some minimal reinforcement. The compressive strength of a really cheap pine 2x4 (stud quality) is 625psi, so figure a 2x4 in compression supports ~1000 lbs, to be safe. What you really need to watch out for is stability. Use glue. Lots of glue. And then screws. And then more glue. If you build it such that the side walls are structural supports, you don't even have to worry about downward warpage from the tank's weight.

Chris

[Boilermaker]

What Chennes says is true, if you looked at what my 125g was sitting on it would scare you. All it is is 3/4" pine stood end to end, the other 29 is 1/2 inch particle board with a rabbited edge so it only is a 1/4" that supports the tank.

I am guilty of the 2/4s and pressure treated ones, I did use lots of screws and glue, the stand probaly weighs more than the tank, but now I have that peaceful easy feeling :) when I stick my head under the tank going through fish stuff.

Also make sure your cuts are perfect, even 1/16 off can throw the tank out of level or out of square.

[chennes]

I think my probelm is that I'm an aerospace engineer: I'm conditioned to hate overbuilding! Every time I look at something like that, I think my thought process is "My God! Do they know how much it would cost to put that fish tank in orbit!" :lol:

Chris

[SGypsyMermaid]

:D sombody should paint a picture of a fishtank in orbit, and post it!

[K_Labs]

ive got a great series of pics from building a stand for a 40br... if only i knew how to post pics.... :(

Use your camera phone then send a picture message to your email and download the pic to your computer then save to your desktop and post like that go to the advanced post hold your cursor over the little picture of a mountain thing with square sun and it says insert image

[ercnan]

Lots of folks here have built stands, canopies, tank, etc.
Just search this thread for tons of info. and ideas. :)