New tank stand

[Smitty]

Howdy!

So I've finally started my 90g tank project. I'm so excited! The first thing I've been working on is a new tank. Now I'm building this a little different because I wanted more room under the tank for the 55g sump and other stuff. So, instead of making a stand that is the same size as the tank, I have made it an extra 2' longer (so a 6' long stand instead of 4' long which is the length of the tank).

This is a work in progress. I have around 250 invested in materials. I wanted to make this one nice (plus I forgot to measure twice and cut once a couple times and had to replace some wood... ). The stop is made from 2x6 and the bottom is made from 2x4. I have a solid bottom under the 2x4 and I will seal the inside just in case there is a minor leak, it will hold a bit of water. Here is what I have done so far:

(Please note that I just bought this house 2 weeks ago and the flooring in the garage was already there... haven't figured out what to do with it yet!)

Now the stand:

And for a little perspective I have put my old 55g tank on the side that will also hold the 90g tank:

Still need to paint the inside, stain the outside and then coat it all with polyurethane. I'm tired just thinking about it!

 

[hackteck]

nice craftsmanship i could never do anything like that

 

[Coleallensmom]

Looks great so far!

 

[Smitty]

nice craftsmanship i could never do anything like that

You would be surprised with what you can get done. I always thought it was hard until I tried. Still, I'm no Picasso when it comes to cabinet making, I just do enough to get the job done.

I really have only used 4 tools and only really needed 2 of them (didn't need the miter saw but it does make it easier and I only used my belt sander to fix mistakes!).

Finishing up with a 2nd coat of white paint for the inside and staining the trim on the outside. It is dark here but will try and get some more pictures up when finished.

 

[hackteck]

have a question for you, how do you know how much weight it will hold?

 

[Smitty]

I don't know for sure how much it will hold but I am sure it is more than enough for a 90g tank. The 2x6's across the top will support a large load and the compressive strength of the 2x4's in the corners and at the 4' mark is enough to park a car on top of.

I have seen enough stands and stand designs that I'm not worried about this one having any problems. I also have 1/4" sheet oak across the entire back and in the front (minus the door cutouts).

Compared to the stands I see in the stores I could park a freight train on this thing.

 

[The Jam-is-on]

I was going to say, the stand I bought with my 55g is all particle board. I was really upset when I didn't notice a small splash of water during my first pwc and I now have a nice bubble warp on the surface!

So yeah, I imagine it will hold the tank AND a Prius. Looks great man!

 

[hackteck]

I don't know for sure how much it will hold but I am sure it is more than enough for a 90g tank. The 2x6's across the top will support a large load and the compressive strength of the 2x4's in the corners and at the 4' mark is enough to park a car on top of.

I have seen enough stands and stand designs that I'm not worried about this one having any problems. I also have 1/4" sheet oak across the entire back and in the front (minus the door cutouts).

Compared to the stands I see in the stores I could park a freight train on this thing.

makes me want to build a stand for my 180G but the only thing ive ever built is a turtle pen for my daughter lol

 

[dollabill420]

That stands beast compared to the overpriced fisher price particle board you see in stores, puts my homebuilt stand to shame I didn't even cover mine bahaha just framed it and put a top, it's used to hold a thirty and a 20, did build it for free with wood around the house

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Good looking stand

I'd say it'll hold that 90g no problem.

 

[Smitty]

Ok, here is a quick update before bed. All the painting and staining is done, now I need to put on a layer or 2 of polyurethane. As requested by my wife, I will also put on some glaze coat on the shelf part (that stuff is neat but expensive!).

I really like the way it has turned out so far:

Thanks for all the comments! Can't wait to get the actual tank on there! I still need to drill for the overflow (I don't have the tank and don't know where to drill the holes) but it shouldn't be hard to get that done once I have the tank.

 

[hackteck]

looks great come up to atlanta and build one for my 180 lol

 

[Smitty]

If anyone wants to know what the phraze "Wow, that stinks" means... it is bumping into about 1/2 a quart of stain and having it fall over and spill.

That stinks!

 

[treym563]

I have to say, you did a really nice job on that stand! I recently built a stand for my tank and have a new appreciation for people who build their own things, it's harder than it looks to make sure everything fits together like a glove. Once you get your tanks goin it's going to look awesome.

 

[Smitty]

Well, my other half overruled my two-tone stain job so I had to re-do it all in the darker color. Did it yesterday but it is still drying (it is like 100 degrees and really humid so taking a long time to dry). Once that is done I'll start with the polyurethane so seal it all up!

 

[Smitty]

Ok, I checked again and it turns out things are drying pretty well so I could put the doors back on. Will still wait another 24 hours (giving 48 of dry time) before putting on the poly. Here is an updated picture:

 

[Dary421]

Smitty,....I'll have to agree with the better half,...I like the darker stain better

 

[Maya]

+1 on the darker stain. Looks great. What kind of poly are you using. I've researching to do the stand for our 125 and was curious what you came up with.

 

[Smitty]

Yea... most people like the dark. I'm over my disappointment now

To be honest I didn't research any specific poly. I just grabbed something off the shelf - Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Clear semi-gloss. I knew I didn't want it to be flat and I didn't want a high glossy finish.

This is what I used last time on my freshwater tank and it worked out pretty well. I am, however, not going to use this on the shelf. That is going to get the $$ treatment as I'm going to mix up and pour some gloss coat there. It is basically a clear epoxy that when hard is very tough stuff. Unfortunately it costs a fortune ($24 for enough for 3x3 area) but it looks cool!

 

[Maya]

Yeah... We have a ledge designed into ours and I just know that as the saltwater drips from water changes, etc. over time it's going to stain it. I just wondered what others had used to really seal out the moisture. Thanks for the info and the inspiration.