Hi all.
So when I bought my Oceanic 57 rimless, I got the stand manufactured for it. My issue with the stand is that it is MDF, and a few spills or slow leaks later, some of the edges are bubbled up, and the paint is flaked off. I also have limited space under the stand, and am considering raising the tank up 4-6 inches as well.
First, I would love to get some opinions on how much larger front to back, and side to side you can make a stand, so that it does still look like a stand customized for the tank, without looking rediculous. I want to increase the internal footprint, but I do not want to look like I am sticking a small tank on a huge stand...make sense?
Second, maybe more of a question for Grouper Therapy, but I was thinking of making the stand in Ipe. What are your thoughts on this? Will Ipe take a stain? Will it need marine poly or do I treat it similar to Teak? a light oil every now and then better?
Finally, I think most normal store bought stands are about 4-6 inches too low. I guess they are better suited to view from a seated position, but where my stand will be it is mostly viewed standing. Anyone have a good rule of thumb to not go above X height?
I am planning on reclaiming the smoked glass doors on the sides and front of the Oceanic Illuminata tank stand, so although the tank itself will be larger, the openings I am going to keep the same size, so please consider that increasing the size of the tank will need to consider both tank and door sizes.
Here is the stand now...I want the new stand to fit along that same wall, so I have about 4-6 inches on each side to work with. I am more interested on cabinet depth...how much of a front ledge would look natural?
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Thanks in advance for your insights, opinions, and suggestions!
CJ
So when I bought my Oceanic 57 rimless, I got the stand manufactured for it. My issue with the stand is that it is MDF, and a few spills or slow leaks later, some of the edges are bubbled up, and the paint is flaked off. I also have limited space under the stand, and am considering raising the tank up 4-6 inches as well.
First, I would love to get some opinions on how much larger front to back, and side to side you can make a stand, so that it does still look like a stand customized for the tank, without looking rediculous. I want to increase the internal footprint, but I do not want to look like I am sticking a small tank on a huge stand...make sense?
Second, maybe more of a question for Grouper Therapy, but I was thinking of making the stand in Ipe. What are your thoughts on this? Will Ipe take a stain? Will it need marine poly or do I treat it similar to Teak? a light oil every now and then better?
Finally, I think most normal store bought stands are about 4-6 inches too low. I guess they are better suited to view from a seated position, but where my stand will be it is mostly viewed standing. Anyone have a good rule of thumb to not go above X height?
I am planning on reclaiming the smoked glass doors on the sides and front of the Oceanic Illuminata tank stand, so although the tank itself will be larger, the openings I am going to keep the same size, so please consider that increasing the size of the tank will need to consider both tank and door sizes.
Here is the stand now...I want the new stand to fit along that same wall, so I have about 4-6 inches on each side to work with. I am more interested on cabinet depth...how much of a front ledge would look natural?

Thanks in advance for your insights, opinions, and suggestions!
CJ