stand question

[kirru]

I have come to the conclusion that my stand sways a little to much than I am comfy with so I want to do something about it. Preferably have someone build me one or build a stand.

I forget who here does wood work and if they could give me a quote for a built one. I could come get, but I would need it "in a hurry". Like a week or two would be fine but not like a month.

I still have to get lights and another power head. Stand has tank and water in it but it just doesnt look safe to me.

Here is the criteria.

72" long to accomidate the long tank
18" deep.

I would settle for having it a .5" to an 1" more on all sides to have a little lip.

I would like two opening in the front, Large opening as to be able to move a 3-4" sump in and out it needed.

Height isnt much of a concern. but got to be high enough to be able to work inside of it like cleaning the sump, cleaning the skimmer cup and being able to remove the skimmer.

Sides, If the large doors arent possible or whatever than having removable side to be able to slide in a sump or remove skimmer from side.

Color, black if possible to mach the rest of the room or a dark stain.

Not looking for fancy wood as it would drive up the cost of the build.

If you have any questions PM me or post here.


Thanks for the input guys...and gals

Edit: Also should note that it is drilled four times on the bottom on both ends about 6-12" from the sides. and 2" from the back.

 

[shanepike]

Everyone I know who recommends somebody recommends David (Grouper Therapy). He might not be able to meet your timeframe, though.

 

[gator01]

How much are you wanting to spend? I have a really nice 72" x 21" black acrylic stand that I'm wanting to sell. It has 2 doors in front and 1 on the end. The stand cost over $2000 new. If your interested I can send you some pics of it. Then you can make me an offer If your still interested.
Roger

 

[kirru]

Not looking to spend a great deal. I prefer wood as well. Never seen an acrylic stand but $2000 new is a large chunk of change.

I have gotten a few PMs about my time frame. Its just a desired time. But I dont want to wait around 1-2 months as I hear loud POPS every once and a while and it has me concerned exactly what is popping. So I want to get it off the stand its on as soon as possible.

 

[tgriffin]

what do you mean by sway? Does it move at all?

 

[kirru]

If I turn off all the pumps and let the water settle and you push it just ever so much the tank and the top half of the stand sway and stops.

Also, it looks like it was leaning forward a bit so I took out the level and it is not level but not off to much. It may be nothing to worry about but this is in my room and this is a lot of water to have spill everywhere.

 

[eagle9252]

personnally i would remove the water NOW... it's one thing to be out of level and the stand be solid. but to be swaying out of level, thats just asking for a wet floor and a broken tank.

 

[kirru]

well, i'm not using the full level to get the measure on the tank as its right up against the wall and i only have a 4' level handy.

I may be hitting up Lowes tonight to build one as that will probably be the only option I have right now to get it done quick enough to where there isnt any issue.

The previous 40g tank sat there for 3 years with no issue but i never checked if it was level or not

 

[frantz]

Why don't you just reinforce the stand you have while you wait? A few well placed 2X4s both for vertical load and crossed for horizontal load would make me feel alot safe. Your stand indeed sounds shot. I wouldn't trust it another day.

 

[kirru]

I had reinforced it with 2x4s across the top and the bottom and at the sides on top but i suppose it wasnt enough. It is the cheap soft pine that makers use and throw together with finisher nails and staples.

I'm kicking myself for not building my own.

 

[eagle9252]

<span style="font-size: 13px"><span style="color: black">if you need help building your own you can follow this and it will help alot. if you want the top larger than the stand you can do that but make sure that the tank sits on top of the 2x4 or 2x6 which transfers the load down. you can scabb on to it to make the overall top larger. when you add plywood to the outside it will also increase the strength. HTH</span></span>




<span style="font-size: 13px"><span style="color: #22229c">http://tinyurl.com/cdtmqq6">http://tinyurl.com/cdtmqq6</a>[/B]</span></span>



<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-size: 13px">[B]DIY Stands Template and Calculator[/B] </span>



<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">[IMG]http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm289/RocketEngineer/StandTemplate.jpg alt="" /></span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">snip</span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">The basic principle of the design is two box frames connected by four legs. The upper one supports the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> and transfers the load to the legs. The legs are made of several pieces of 2X4 to assist in construction and sheathing the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> in plywood for strength and cosmetics. The bottom frame transmits the load of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> into the floor. </span></span>



<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">Design notes: </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">*The plan for this </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> consists of 21 pieces. Like color pieces are the same length and of the same board size. </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">*The box frames are screwed together first, then the legs are built off the bottom frame, the top frame is then placed on top and secured to the legs. </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">*The green pieces are screw strips. These provide limited load strength but serve to make assembly easier and help keep the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> square. </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">*The blue piece between the upper rails (red) works to keep the upper rails from twisting. </span></span>












<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">Ok, now to the cut list: </span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">First off: The calculations below are based off of a </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> that is "W" inches wide X "D" inches front-to-back X "H" inches high. </span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(2) Red - Upper Rails: Length = W </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended. </span></span>






<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(2) Yellow - Upper Ends: Length = D-3" </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">Theses will be made of the same material as the upper rails. </span></span>






<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(4) Green - Screw Strips: Length = H-2" These 2X4s are shorter then the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> is tall. </span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(8) Purple - Uprights: Length varies: </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">- 2X4 Upper Rails: Length = H -7" </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">- 2X6 Upper Rails: Length = H-9" </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">- 2X8 Upper Rails: Length = H-10.75" </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">These 2X4s support the weight of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">. The ones on the short sides of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> provide a flat surface for attaching a plywood facing and while they do provide some strength, they are optional. </span></span>












<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(2) Orange - Bottom Rails: Length = W </span></span>


<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">These 2X4s act to spread the weight of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> over a larger area. </span></span>






<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">(3) Blue - Bottom Ends: Length = D-3" </span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">Covering the sides of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> with plywood will help to stiffen the </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> against twisting and shifting. Doors can be mounted to the legs as desired. </span></span>




<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: black">So there it is. 21 pieces in 6 lengths equals a </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">tank</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="color: #ff0000">stand</span></span><span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> that should fit the bill for most people. There are other plans out there but this is a simple design using simple tools and common wood sizes. It may not suit everyone's application but it should fit the bill for most common size tanks.</span></span>



/snip

 

[kirru]

building the stand isnt the issue. I've done two. i just dont have the time much lately. Working 50 or so hours a week takes it toll. I may be young but I feel old.

 

[grouper therapy]

Kirru;766125 wrote: building the stand isnt the issue. I've done two. i just dont have the time much lately. Working 50 or so hours a week takes it toll. I may be young but I feel old.

Don't make me pull out a "when I was your age, old man story" on you.

 

[kirru]

bahaha. do it and you can make my stand for free.. or half cost lol

Edit: also, how much do you charge to make stands? just curious. pm me if you wish.

 

[gator01]

Kirru;766125 wrote: building the stand isnt the issue. I've done two. i just dont have the time much lately. Working 50 or so hours a week takes it toll. I may be young but I feel old.

You can have my black acrylic stand for $400, or make me an offer.

 

[grouper therapy]

Kirru;766168 wrote: bahaha. do it and you can make my stand for free.. or half cost lol

Edit: also, how much do you charge to make stands? just curious. pm me if you wish.

I will when I get home . I am ABOUT 8 WEEKS OUT RIGHT NOW THOUGH. WORK HAS BEEN CRAZY.

 

[kirru]

wow, def need it before then. well, i'll just have to go to lowes and get some wood.

 

[kirru]

Is it possible to building a 6' stand with two doors? basically a standard size for electrical and then about a 3 or so foot door for access to the sump and skimmer and fuge? basically like a regualr stand with a combined door and no center post.

i'll see if i can find something to make better sense at what I am trying to say.

Edit: in the picture you can see the red ouline of the two doors on the right of the stand. I want to combine these two doors to make one and remove the center piece while leaving the far left one alone.
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[crewdawg1981]

Hahahaha... did you take that from my build thread? (stand above?).

Dustin (RedEdge) built that for me and I have been very pleased.

 

[grouper therapy]

Why do you want to make it 1 door? The opening for two of those doors would be the same whether 1 or 2 doors covers it.
Like this?
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