One Tank To Rule Them All

[Ron]

Thanks guys.

Haven't done much in terms of progress yet - still just doing lots and lots of research on various aspects of getting it setup.

[GrizzlysDad]

Very nice Ron 

[GrizzlysDad]

While out on my first hike since recovering from the pneumonia I found a great looking rock for your big tank Ron 
Please note the 1 quart canteen in the photo for size reference.

[Rob S]

RON!!!!! Atta Boy!! This is amazing, real happy for you. Can't wait to see some MONSTER Haps in there!!

[Ron]

Wow, that is a nice rock Tony! It's also hear you're doing better and getting back out enjoying the outdoors!

Thanks Rob, I thought you'd approve. 

[Ron]

I've got a lot going on, but am trying to find the time to work on this new (and exciting!) project.

First things first, had to clear out where the tank is going to go:

Moving the 180 by myself was particularly fun.

Over the last week, I got that done:


I've also been researching/designing how I want to put together the stand. I'll be a "through the wall" setup, but I've decided to just let it abut the wall rather than be flush with the other side and I'll frame the "window" into the tank. It should be a little easier and I'll have a free standing stand instead of one that's permanently part of the wall.

The tank however needs to be ~40" tall to show above the couch on the other side of the wall. If I made a stand that tall, it'd never be removable from the house because the doors are only 35" wide. So I'm building a base stand, and then a second stand that will sit on the base to get the height I need.

I'm also over-engineering the heck out of the stand and using way more wood than I'd need if I were to calculate the minimum amount necessary based on structural load capacity tables. The general gist is 2x6 joists on 12" centers with wood-supporting wood design to limit shear on the fasteners (went with deck screws over framing nails). Both stands will have 23/32" plywood tops.

I picked up supplies today:

[Super Turtleman]

Excellent. Cant wait to see more progress pics...and eventually see it in person.

While building your stand I hope you're keeping your filtration set up in mind...

[Steve]

I was on vacation when you posted this and I must have not read all the posts / got caught up yet because this is the first I am seeing this Ron. Wow that is awesome man that there is a tank to be proud of. It's gonna be well worth all the work and time when it is done that's for sure.

I'm still not sure what I'm doing with the background. A DIY background would look amazing, but doing something outside the tank that would allow me to see through the tank from the backside (maintenance side) might be nice. I've spent years researching large tank setups and am still looking for more ideas before I make a decision.

Something to think about as another option...do some sort of a DIY "center piece". Something like a DIY background but make it so it is actually more in the center of the tank so that the viewing area is still 100% from all side and the fish swim around the center DIY decor. Just something that popped into my head but something worth considering maybe. When you get to that stage if you decide you want to do some sort of DIY decor let me know and I'd be happy to lend a hand.

[Ron]

Something to think about as another option...do some sort of a DIY "center piece". Something like a DIY background but make it so it is actually more in the center of the tank so that the viewing area is still 100% from all side and the fish swim around the center DIY decor. Just something that popped into my head but something worth considering maybe.

That is a cool idea and I already sort of have something along those lines by default. The tank pictures with condensation don't show it well, but there is a central overflow that I'll need to hide.

When you get to that stage if you decide you want to do some sort of DIY decor let me know and I'd be happy to lend a hand.

I certainly appreciate the offer. I'm a bit behind in updating the pictures in this thread however and already have a background solution laying on my basement floor. I decided against DIY because I didn't want to permanently attach the background to the tank. Since the tank is acrylic, it wouldn't be easy to remove a background if necessary. (Not that a it's easy with a glass tank, but at least you can use a razor blade.)

Instead I want to use magnets so I can easily remove it in the future if needed. I can across a rocky background made from a thin rubber material and ordered a sheet for the back of the tank and a sheet for the central overflow. This won't be as buoyant, so holding it in place with magnets should be easier. It's also flexible, so I can have 1 continuous piece as a background. (Larger acrylic tanks have eurobracing across the top, essentially a big sheet of a acrylic glued across the top and a series of cut-outs in that sheet for tank access.) I haven't ordered the magnets yet - no time to research what size I need for 3/4" acrylic that have enough, but not too much, holding power.

Currently I'm still trying to find time to work on the stand among other things. I've been trying to design something which is modular, so it can be removed from the house (if I were to ever move) and to keep the weight at a point where I might be able to manage shuffling it around myself. I'm also over-engineering the heck out of it and probably using a lot more wood than necessary, but I want it 100% FLAT in the end.

Currently a base stand is built out of PT wood. The top is built less a 3/4" top that will go on at the end. Right now my focus is the middle section that will support the top. This coming weekend, if not sooner I should have picture updates. 

[Ron]

The tank stand is finally almost done! I just have to get some coats of polyurethane on it still.

To justify spending almost 3 weeks getting it done, my aim was to make it modular. For typical tanks under a 2' width, the stands always fit through the doors. I needed the stand 40" tall and the tank is 48" wide, so I built it in sections so I can remove it from the house some day if needed.

It also occurred to me when picking out, loading, and unloading all the wood, that this was going to be darn heavy! In the end, I'm still able to handle the sections solo (with the use of simple tools). I could have used less wood, but it's easiest to just over-engineer it and not worry about the potential for mistakes calculating the minimum required structure. I kept the long-side supports far enough apart that I can fit through them, but left the ends even larger in case I want to slide a large sump under it (currently leaning towards just setting up a sump to the side of the stand though).

Lower base made of PT wood and the middle section placed upon it:


Fully assembeled stand:


An extra photo of the upper section's skeleton prior to the final plywood on top. The entire frame is wood supported by wood all the way through the base to the concrete floor - no reliance on any shear force upon the fasteners. 

[Steve]

Bout' time you updated....slacker

Lookin' great Ron, damn that is a hell of a stand. Could support a M1 A1 Abrams on that puppy Nice work.

[Bremmon]

Just a suggestion, but I would add more electrical outlet boxes behind it before you get too far. That way you don't have to use light bars.

[Ron]

Good suggestion. I was thinking of adding two more, but suppose I need to make a list one night of everything that might possibly be plugged in some day and insure it will be enough. I believe I have access to two different circuits off the main breaker.

I've also got to move at least the far outlet box too. I have been holding off tearing into the wall until I had the stand built so I know the exact height. I hate doing drywall and am trying to avoid drywall work as must as possible by minimizing cutting to the absolute minimum required.

[Regalblue]

Looking great,  Ron!  Keep the updates coming.

[fishandcards]

Have you thought of putting the outlets into the stand?  You could plug the stand in....then if you do move it, you have all the outlets you need.