Stand and Hood Project

NaH2O · 12-01-2003, 10:44 PM

I just wanted to share with everyone the DIY project for my tank. The stand's frame is constructed of A500 Structural Steel - dimension of steel: 3" X 1.5" X 11 Ga (120 wall). The dimensions of the frame itself: 36" X 48" X 24"

Now, for all the engineers out there, I am condensing this structural analysis of the tank down - I'm just the peon here (hubby is the engineer), and don't really understand all of this but basically it comes down to: This frame can handle the stress of 2892 pounds per square inch....with a Factor of Safety = 24, which means it can hold 24 full tanks. When the weight was considered for figuring the stress, all of the rock, water, sand, inhabitants, canopy, everything was taken into consideration - it is safe to say this is pretty darn accurate. This frame is extremely level, and probably slight overkill...lol

The frame was then painted with Marine Topside...basically a yacht paint. Tabs were also welded on for the finished wood to attach. Here are some pictures....I have some of the side cabinet which will house the above the tank refugium, but since Santa hasn't delivered my digital camera yet, I have to wait for the pics on CD. I will post them as soon as I get them.

Hope everyone enjoys!

NaH2O · 12-01-2003, 10:44 PM

Here is some of the welding:

NaH2O · 12-01-2003, 10:45 PM

and finally the paint drying:

fidojoe · 12-01-2003, 11:52 PM

Looks GREAT Nikki!!! Can't wait to see it all set up! I don't think its overkill, its a piece of mind, that you know it won't give under the weight of the tank.

Craig Manoukian · 12-02-2003, 01:14 AM

How 'bout some wheels and an engine for that baby? Not kidding on the wheels thing, will make it easier to move idf you can find the right casters.

Very, very nice!

Maxx · 12-02-2003, 02:18 AM

Quote:

How 'bout some wheels and an engine for that baby? Not kidding on the wheels thing, will make it easier to move idf you can find the right casters

"Cleaning is no problem on the Reef of the Future, Ladies!!! Just roll it back and vaccuum away!!!! You'll be amazed at how easy it is!!!"
LOL...what happens when I have too much coffee and too little sleep....mental disfunction.....sorry...
Seriously, I think this looks great! I'm just finishing up the stand for my upcoming 58 gallon so I can readily appreciate the effort that goes into this. BTW...mines not nearly as nice as yours is....
Good job,
Nick

wooddood · 12-02-2003, 05:38 AM

very nice job very nice.i agree its not over kill its peice of mind,and i like the caster idea hmmmm.thanks great job dave.

NaH2O · 12-02-2003, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the comments!! The stand may be almost perfectly level (within 1/32 of an inch I think), but I'm sure the floor is not. I'm anticipating having to shim the stand to keep the structural integrity. Craig, wheels...not a bad idea, in fact, I'll have hubby throw some on there, with a race engine, and who will need electricity? I'll have a mobile reef tank!

ReefLady · 12-02-2003, 09:47 AM

Fantastic stuff, Nikki! Awesome.

Quote:

The stand may be almost perfectly level (within 1/32 of an inch I think), but I'm sure the floor is not. I'm anticipating having to shim the stand to keep the structural integrity.

That's what happened to us. Our stand had to be shimmed because the floor in our 20-yo house is anything but level.

We also put a "rim" of that pink solid styrofoam insulation ("foamular", I think it's called) under the outside edges of the tank, where it rests on the stand. Just an added security to absorb any weight flux.

Thanks again for posting this!

swissgaurd · 12-02-2003, 09:50 AM

Very nice job

and on the wheel thing .there a great idea.but leveling becomes a problem.Get hubby to install jacking screws that will make it much easier to level.something to keep in mind use 6 jacking screws instead of 4.go with one inch threaded rod and plastic pads.stainless steel preferably to avoid the rust.

something to think about for the doors: make bifold doors for the front and make a door on each side for accesiblity.

Large doors can get in the way.

vic

Craig Manoukian · 12-02-2003, 10:12 AM

SG,

Great ideas on the doors and leveling screws!

Do keep us posted on your progress NaH2O!

wooddood · 12-02-2003, 10:39 AM

great ideas you guys,got me thinkin now.look out.thanks dave.

NaH2O · 12-02-2003, 11:31 AM

vic, we actually had considered putting on jacking screws, but decided we wouldn't need them. The house is only 2 years old, and really isn't that bad as far as being unlevel. We are anticipating only needing to shim a little bit. If we were in our old house, the jacking screws would have been a must!

Curtswearing · 12-02-2003, 11:45 AM

Lookin' awesome Nikki!!!

jks1 · 12-02-2003, 11:51 AM

Wow Nikki, looks great, cant wait to see it finished w/ a tank on it!

12-01-2003, 11:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	Looks GREAT Nikki!!! Can't wait to see it all set up! I don't think its overkill, its a piece of mind, that you know it won't give under the weight of the tank. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

12-02-2003, 01:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 15,732 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	How 'bout some wheels and an engine for that baby? Not kidding on the wheels thing, will make it easier to move idf you can find the right casters. Very, very nice! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-02-2003, 05:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	very nice job very nice.i agree its not over kill its peice of mind,and i like the caster idea hmmmm.thanks great job dave. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-02-2003, 09:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the comments!! The stand may be almost perfectly level (within 1/32 of an inch I think), but I'm sure the floor is not. I'm anticipating having to shim the stand to keep the structural integrity. Craig, wheels...not a bad idea, in fact, I'll have hubby throw some on there, with a race engine, and who will need electricity? I'll have a mobile reef tank! __________________ ~Nikki~

12-02-2003, 10:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 15,732 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	SG, Great ideas on the doors and leveling screws! Do keep us posted on your progress NaH2O! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-02-2003, 09:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
swissgaurd Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: mississauga,canada Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment	Very nice job and on the wheel thing .there a great idea.but leveling becomes a problem.Get hubby to install jacking screws that will make it much easier to level.something to keep in mind use 6 jacking screws instead of 4.go with one inch threaded rod and plastic pads.stainless steel preferably to avoid the rust. something to think about for the doors: make bifold doors for the front and make a door on each side for accesiblity. Large doors can get in the way. vic

12-02-2003, 10:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	great ideas you guys,got me thinkin now.look out.thanks dave. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-02-2003, 11:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	vic, we actually had considered putting on jacking screws, but decided we wouldn't need them. The house is only 2 years old, and really isn't that bad as far as being unlevel. We are anticipating only needing to shim a little bit. If we were in our old house, the jacking screws would have been a must! __________________ ~Nikki~

12-02-2003, 11:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	Lookin' awesome Nikki!!! __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

12-02-2003, 11:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wow Nikki, looks great, cant wait to see it finished w/ a tank on it! __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)