1st Marine Tank

[rabbut]

If the wall is none-load bearing, you would idealy want to build the frame to support the wall side also, taking the weight to the floor though the frame rather than the wall, but otherwise looks good to me.

 

[ox5477]

Agree with rabbut 100%.... if its a non load bearing wall, your asking for trouble by putting the weight of the tank on it. I would remove the portion of the wall directly below the window and build up the stand directly on top of the concrete.

And for the sump, just build the stand to the size you need, then place the display to one side of the opening. You can later put flat molding on that side, and then on the other side, put a thin bead of horizontal molding to create a little "bar" or leaning area for watching the tank.... should be no prob.

Ox

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks again Ox and Rabbut.

I don't really want to take the wall out if I can avoid it.

This was my original idea, where the frame and the wall will take the load (See picture below). I could raise the frame so that it takes all the weight?

Updated with new drawing.

 

[SkiFletch]

Oh I see. As long as you put a header on top of the wall (which I assume has 2x4's 16" on center), it can totally support the tank. Remember, you have braces acrost the length of the tank in that picture, don't forget to connect the two with braces acrosst its width and then some method of preventing torsional (twisting) forces (usually plywood panels on the sides or length of the frame)

 

[[email protected]]

Yes, I planned to connect the 2 woodern frames together, and secure one to the wall.

Also thinking about laying the tank on a board with polystyrene on it to spread the weight,

 

[[email protected]]

It has been a long weekend but the radiator has been moved and I have started work on the frame.

The main support will be from the 2x4 stainding directly on the concrete base and the 2x2 for securing the frame to the walls.

I still have to build the 4th leg, but just to show how it is going.

Also, I now have some lighting! - 3ft 4x39W fitted with 2 blue T5s and 2 white T5s. (Not my tank in pics)

Just looking for a cheap RO unit now.....

 

[SkiFletch]

Lookin good so far

 

[ox5477]

I like the light

 

[[email protected]]

I like the light

Thanx - good old ebay!

How high should the light be from the water line, I think i read 8" somehwere?

Thanks

Iain

 

[ox5477]

mines anywhere from 6-8" I think. with T5's its not a huge deal. When you get into halides, then you need to worry about height off the water because of the heat created by them.

A question, Im sure the bracing it prob tyed into a stud on the wall, but the back two supports for your horizontal 2x4's make me nervous. If I were you, I would put a jack piece underneath each to extend them all the way to the floor so that its not just the screws/nails that are supporting the tank weight...

I would also double up on the front legs (in the perspective of the picture) so that again, the nails/screws are not baring the weight...

Ox

 

[ALW]

Yup, sign me up as a lurker as well

Yep me too!

 

[[email protected]]

A question, Im sure the bracing it prob tyed into a stud on the wall, but the back two supports for your horizontal 2x4's make me nervous. If I were you, I would put a jack piece underneath each to extend them all the way to the floor so that its not just the screws/nails that are supporting the tank weight...

I would also double up on the front legs (in the perspective of the picture) so that again, the nails/screws are not baring the weight...

Ox

Thanks Ox, I guess you mean the 2x2 attached to the other wall at the back, these are not designed to take the weight of the tank, they are for a cupboard that will be on the side. There is a vertical 2x4 going straight down to the concrete in the middle, I will add more support at the front and hopefully this will me more than enough.

Also, thanks for the info on the lights.

Thanks

Iain

 

[Eigdoog]

Looks really good

 

[SkiFletch]

I know you're not quite there yet, but don't forget to guard against torsional (twisting) forces. You don't want those legs twisting and the whole tank toppling like a house of cards

 

[[email protected]]

It has been a while since I posted an update, but have been very busy working on this.

The frame is now complete, here are the progress photos,

4th Leg added

More strength added to the frame

Bit of dodgy painting and some boarding.

Tank is in!

Pic from the other side of the wall.

After cleaning the tank and truning the light on, I noticed all of the scratches in the tank.
I guess this is what you get for buying a second hand tank.

Not sure if i should get another tank or see what it is like with water in.

Thanks

Iain