DIY stand for a 60g hex

[BeachBum2012]

This was my latest project. My brother had a four day weekend so I finally had some help. Its a new stand for my old 60g hex that he wants set up in his room. Well... on to the pics

Top and bottom frames

Close-up of the pocket screw attachment. I also added four staples on each joint.

Attaching the sides

Bottom on and a thumbs up from my little bro

Almost done. Just needs paint, sealer and a door.

Finished sanding, painting and sealing

With the tank set up and running


Next, I have to figure out lights so I can start building a hood.

 

[WhiskeyD]

Looks good, what are you going to put in it?

 

[BeachBum2012]

Thanks. Probably keep fish food, nets, testing solutions and that sort of thing in it... Just kidding

Thinking about a school of tetras, pair of Angels, corrys, otos and maybe something else small. Might toss in a few amano shrimp too. No fish until after I get it planted though.

 

[austinsdad]

Hmmmm.....

What is the empty can in the first pic??????

 

[BeachBum2012]

Hmmmm.....

What is the empty can in the first pic??????

Pepsi. I refuse to drink beer from a can. Those bottles weren't in the picture because we didn't break them out until the power tools went away and it was painting time. LOL

 

[Etunes]

Wow, nice job. Make sure to post pics when its planted. Havin a little party before the build. We noticed that can in the background.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Wow, nice job. Make sure to post pics when its planted. Havin a little party before the build. We noticed that can in the background.

LOL, thanks. Still need to get lights and build a canopy. Hoping to have it planted and fish in by next weekend. Taking a few days off to recover from an accident (I guess I'm not as strong as I used to be) before I break out the tools again.

And its a Pepsi can! LOL

 

[Etunes]

Make sure you post pics of the canopy. I have seen people build hes stands but not hex canopies.

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Great build, congrats!! Wow that can sure started a buzz. Haha not literally but..well you know what I mean

 

[BeachBum2012]

Make sure you post pics of the canopy. I have seen people build hes stands but not hex canopies.

For sure. Not sure how I'm going to do it yet though. The design will be dictated by the lighting that I choose and I haven't quite narrowed that down yet.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Great build, congrats!! Wow that can sure started a buzz. Haha not literally but..well you know what I mean

Thanks, and yes it did. I can handle my tools and I can handle my beer. Can't handle them together. LOL

 

[Etunes]

What, alcohol and saws dont go together. lol

 

[BeachBum2012]

What, alcohol and saws dont go together. lol

Well... Three's a crowd. Alcohol and saws go together. Alcohol and I go together. Saws and I go together. However, alcohol, saws and I don't.

I manage to hurt myself enough sober. LOL

 

[BeachBum2012]

Well... I got the lighting (Coralife PC) and took a few pics with a few plants in. It's still got a ways to go but I like it so far though. Definitely needs a background to hide the cables and equipment too.

Should get the design and build for the hood done this week sometime. I'll be sure to post pics of it when its done.

 

[Etunes]

Looks nice. You puttin goldfish in it?

 

[BeachBum2012]

Looks nice. You puttin goldfish in it?

Nah. I got some nice healthy ones to help with the cycle. Its done now (I seeded with filter from another tank along with mulm and other stuff) but my brother wants to wait until he has a little more money to get his school of tetras. At that point the goldfish will go visit Stevie.

This is Stevie

 

[Etunes]

HAHA, hope he enjoys the snack. Does he breed flowerhorns. Because they can be beautiful. Except for the but head lump they have.

 

[BeachBum2012]

HAHA, hope he enjoys the snack. Does he breed flowerhorns. Because they can be beautiful. Except for the but head lump they have.

Not yet. I'm in the process of setting up another tank for breeding and finding him a female. Hopefully in the next month or two I'll get that project going.

 

[jcmelski]

How long has the tank been up now? The only concern I have with the stand is, can the plywood hold all that weight? I didn't see any 2x4's going down to the bottom hex in the pics.

 

[BeachBum2012]

How long has the tank been up now? The only concern I have with the stand is, can the plywood hold all that weight? I didn't see any 2x4's going down to the bottom hex in the pics.

Its been up for ten days as of now. The original stand for this thank was built in a similar manner but with less sturdy joints. It lasted for a good 30 years or so.

Plywood is actually quite strong on end. Just take a look inside any commercially build stand. No 2x4's to be found.

The tank, water and everything in it probably weighs just shy of six hundred pounds. We had about 650 pounds of people jumping on it and it was just fine.