Need help on Stand and hood DIY instructions.

[Wes]

Hi guys,

My future father in law is really good at woodworking and I am going to try to get him to build me a nice new stand and canopy for my 65g as a birthday present.

The thing is, I need to be able to email him some basic instructions as a guideline because he lives in NC. He would have to pretty much build the stand and canopy w/out my tank to test fit it on. Maybe he can pick up a 40br to test fit and return it when he is done because it has the same footprint. I want the hood to be nice and tall so I have room to use MH if i decide to try them.

Any information or suggestions on how we could accomplish this feat is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wes

 

[fritz]

I think the 40br idea is a good one.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Get the 40 breeder for him for the footprint and then sell it off here.

 

[jhale]

wes, you don't really need to have the tank to build the stand and hood.
send him the exact size of the tank you have now, and it should come out fine.

 

[Wes]

thanks.

Does anyone have any links i can email him so he can get some ideas on building the stand and canopy?

Something that would describe building the basic structure of the stand and hood and i can leave the finishing trim up to him.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Try this site.

http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php

 

[Wes]

thanks chief thats really cool. the plan calls for 4x4 tho. I will have to measure tonight to make sure the overflow holes can clear it.

 

[tosiek]

For a 40 br you won't need 4 x 4's. Or even 2x4's for that matter. If your FFIL is good with woodworking he should be able to build it all out of ply and still be able to hold more than what the weight of the tank will be. All you need to spec out is where you want your drain and stuff. 40BR footprint isn't that big and your gonna lose ALOT of room under the tank with even 2x4's. I would use 1/2 inch or 5/8" ply and don't use the construction grade ply.

Just remember to use the post and lintel construction with a second sheet of finished wood ply (or reg ply if your gonna paint it) for a shell of the stand to help reinforce the side pieces and front (although you probably won't need to). The back won't need to be reinforced as its only really preventing lateral pressure and is acting like a truss while also supporting the top piece from bowing down and supporting the pressure as a post. Reinforce the front bottom of the tank with a solid piece of wood or 2x ply as a lintel to help support the glass and prevent the top of the stand from bowing down =0) There are a buncha DIY posts here and on RC and other sites that give you a nice run through of building techniques so you get to see whats beeing done as far as contruction and doors and stuff.

For the hood all you need is to spec out the size for the MH bulb fixtures and anything else going in while giving you enough room to raise them enough. Alot of people have DIY hood on the DIY forums with nice opening hoods. :scratchch
I wouldn't use the site giving you measurements using 4 x 4's. :fishhit: Good reference for measurements but....

 

[Wes]

Thanks for the help tosiek. My tank is actually a 65g I was just thinking maybe he could pick up a 40br for a test fit because it has the same footprint. Then he could return it when he is done. Does the same info apply for 65g? I don?t know much about wood work but I was thinking building a 2x4 frame would be pretty simple and for the shell, it would cost less for nice wood because it wouldn?t have to be thick. What are your thoughts on this approach?

 

[tosiek]

Same does apply for a 65g. You can go with 2x4's if ya want. Either way it doesn't matter unless your strapped for room underneath for a sump and everything. You'll lose out on alot of space inside.

Randy's (prattreef) tank that I just redid was 3/4" ply using the same construction without the outer shell of ply (was all built i just had to assemble and finish). Screws every inch along the sides :Yikes: and its holding well. Its a 150g btw.

As far as thicker wood for the shell, they sell plywood with a laminated veneer of wood that all you need to do is sand and stain/laquer. You don't have to go the solid wood way for a shell as it would run you a fortune in material and work needed.