Stand construction (updated)

[edawgm]

I was just wondering if anyone else has done this before I try. But I need to put my newly made fuge (will get pics later and post) into the bottom of my stand. The only problem is that the 20g tank does not squeeze through the front. The stand is just a normal all wood stand that you get from LFS. I was looking at just knocking out the brace in the front between the doors putting the tank in and putting the brace back in. The hold up on this is the tank is loaded with 80# of sand and 125 # of rock plus water and what not. I am planning on cutting a board to temp brace it while I move everything. But just wanted to see if anyone else has done this with a running tank and any pointers. I am one that if I can learn from someone else's mistakes, I will not have the same (hopefully) :P

[JesterGrin_1]

Sounds like you have a good plan to me. Just put in the temp brace first where it will not be in the way then remove the brace that is in the way and when done put it back. :)

[tomanero]

Just installed a 55g. under a friends 135g. We had the same problem regarding the center brace and was nervous about removing it.
Found it easier to cut a hole in the side of the stand and slide the tank in.
You can add a door to cover the hole or we made a flat panel and used magnetic catches to hold it in place.
Can just pop it off for access.
Just one option depending on your stand.

[edawgm]

Found it easier to cut a hole in the side of the stand and slide the tank in.
You can add a door to cover the hole or we made a flat panel and used magnetic catches to hold it in place.
Can just pop it off for access.
Just one option depending on your stand.

I did think about that but the ends are the strongest parts of the stand and it is made out of 1"X6" boards that go vertical. So I would have to cut through all of those then put them back together and I really don't want to go that far unless I have to. Or if I just end up taking everything down and move the aquarium and slide it into the top of the stand.

[LoneStar]

http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump_support3.jpg
http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump.html

Melev did it on a 55g tank, but he had a pretty good back center brace. You can rig up a temporary structure to relieve the load and then remove it later.

[edawgm]

Ok that is what I was looking at doing. I feel more confidant now and will see if it works out today. Though my stand is a bit sturdier looking than that 55 stand. I can make this work. Thanks LoneStar

[jroescher]

Doesn't sound like you can do this with a store bought stand, but this is how I did it:
http://johnroescher.com/images/100_0381.jpg


More pics here: http://johnroescher.com/Sump.aspx

[edawgm]

No the side of my stand is not one solid piece. Or other wise I would be doing that.

[edawgm]

The almost finish product. I got the fuge under my stand. I kind of went on a wild hair or maybe its the fact that I have been awake for 29 hours :wacko and delusions are setting in but instead of re-bracing the stand then pulling the center brace out, I got down and started looking at it and realized that the center brace on my stand is basically there for a spacer in-between the doors. So as you can see in the pics I have it in and running. Though a little too much H2O in there, I am going to take the chance and let it run. I don’t think the power will go out :wacko All I need now is to add some sand, a rock and some plant life.

[edawgm]

Next project as you can see in the above picture is a switch pannel to clear up some of that wiring mess.