A Pictorial Reef Build Adventure

[BigC]

The main aquarium has been finished for a while so its now time to move onto the construction of the stand. This job is predominately out of my hands and I have become an innocent bystander whilst a work colleague does his thing. My only input was to draw up a simple sketch with measurements and to leave it in his capable hands.
The finished piece of work will measure (L-W-H) 48x24x39 inches (1219x610x991mm)
The basis of the stand is constructed from 50mm Box and Angle Iron/Steel (I think) and is made up from a front and back welded frame which is then joined together with cross members. My friend has also included heavy duty levelling bolts on each leg section for me to make it stand level on the garage floor. The finished article will have two tiers, one for the main aquarium on top and one for the sump underneath, with plenty of room allowed for me to get my elbows wet. Not bad for a guy who stated he wants nothing for the build as he's just using up his scrap metal, but needless to say I will be paying him for his time and expertise, I cant expect someone to fashion such a bespoke piece of work for nothing.

Here is the starting point, the raw material as it were, 50mm Box Section and 50mm Angled Iron/Steel.

One of the completed frames (front or back) Stood up on edge.

Heavy Duty Levelling Bolts in the leg sections

22mm Leveling Bolt.

As you can appreciate this is just the beginning of the fabrication of the stand which will have to hold a fair weight when done.
When finished the metal will need primed and painted (black, Hammerite smooth)
I am going to use a timber (marine plywood) top to the stand covered in a cork padding to rest the aquarium on.
It will eventually be cladded with wood veneer panelling complete with cupboard doors (when the metalwork is finished)
ATB

 

[seffieuk]

Oh my goodness - that looks like it could carry an elephant

Seffie x

 

[BigC]

Oh my goodness - that looks like it could carry an elephant

Doesn't it Seff.
He related to me that he would rather over manufacture it rather than under because of the colossal amount of weight it will have to bare with both the main aquarium and the sump resting on it
Regards

 

[ben1987]

looks good to me! Theres always shed loads of room under metal stands too

 

[bagu]

haha, look at the thickness of the metal! nice job!

amazing!

 

[TigerIssey]

You should certainly have the weight covered, as ben says, you will not have to worry about a central support that blocks the cabinet into 2, you will have an immense amount of space for all the gadgets that will invariably find their way into the sump.

After telling Andrew about this tank, he seriously wishes we did not live in a stone built cottage with 2 foot thick stone internal walls and no garage

 

[john.o]

Oooo part two
What a good idea bigC i have never seen a tank build on a metal stand before. I wish i had thought of that {working for the welding department at network rail as well tt} it’s going to be supper strong and i really like the idea of the Leveling Bolts . Watching with interest john,o

 

[TigerIssey]

Especially john'o when the other half works at Clitheroe Light Engineering and his ex employer (only left due to 3 day week, is about to ask him to go back) makes kitchens, using kitchen units and doors (the nice ones of course such as Character pippy oak solid wood doors) would look absolutely stunning.

He made my old fish tank unit and hood (105 litre octagonal) and because he made it I also had soft closure hinges on the cabinet doors. I would like him to replace the doors on the one I have and put soft closures on. You would just need to make the doors to a size that are made, although custom is an option of course.

 

[SkiFletch]

Wow, that thing could hold a car...

 

[BigC]

A little update on the situation with the stand.
The guy whose fabricating this for me has really cracked on with the build this week, any spare moment he gets, he fires up his welding torch to finish yet another segment.
I must admit I'm really impressed with the project thus far and cant wait until the metalwork is complete.
Here follows a few more pictures of the actual job in question;

The stand is almost ready to have the bottom bracing joined to the main frame

Bottom cross bracing ready to be welded in order to carry the 42" sump tank

Close-up view of the bottom bracing

The main framework turned upside-down with centre spars welded in position

The old boy doing his thing

Well things are ticking along nicely and maybe I'll be able to bring the baby home at the weekend.

ATB

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Cool. I wish I had had time to get a decent stand made for my tank. Mine scares the hell out of me (why do aquarium manufactures think that 1 ton of water is fine on a couple of bits of old chipboard?!?!).

One thing you have probably already though about but what kind of flooring do you have? The concern I would have with the leveling bolts is that you will have all that weight going down on to 4 22mm bolts. That I would imagine would be a fair amount of force on each one (not good unless you have concreate flooring)?

Are there going to be "feet" under these or is it not actually as bad as I think?

 

[BigC]

not good unless you have concreate flooring

I thought about just setting it on concrete Barney as that's what I have for a floor in the garage
Yeah the weight in that tank is going to be unreal, coupled with the sump and rockwork then I though I'd better play safe and have it made from metal. The plan is to clad it and use kitchen doors when complete.
ATB

 

[ben1987]

awesome mate. your lucky with the contacts and being a galss man!
Going to be some set up this.

Any thoughts on skimmer etc?

 

[bagu]

its built like a tank!

 

[SkiFletch]

its built like a tank!

Amen to that