40 breaded stand build suggestions

[Jeffycann]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and going to soon be starting a fowlr tank with hopes to turn it into a reef in the future. I'm getting ready to build a stand for my recently purchased 40 breader and am looking for some suggestions as to weather I should oversize the stand and have the tank rest directly on the top which would be made of Baltic birch plywood. Or size the stand to match the tank and keep the bottom open. I want to use a 20 long for a sump/refugium as well as have a small tank for top off and some space underneath the tank for storage. I'm thinking that if the stand is made to fit the tank that I wouldn't have much room underneath for all this or it would be really cramped. On the flip side I'm not sure if the oversized stand would look ridiculous under the tank. I'm planning on skinning it with pallet wood for a rustic feel. I'd love some opinions and suggestions for the size if I do decide to go with the over sized stand. Thanks for the input

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

Think of the extra space like this...

better to have it and not need it, than need it an not have it. That 20L is going to take up considerable space. My local friend @Cyproz has a stand built to tank dimensions and there is no room for an ATO or other equipment like you described. You would have to remote mount the ATO and any other equipment like reactors

EDit: its a 40b, stand is 2x4 construction

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

also check out my over sized stand, its nice to have some "counter space" when doing maintenance

 

[Jeffycann]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. This is going to be a 2x4 frame also how big do you think I should make it?

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. This is going to be a 2x4 frame also how big do you think I should make it?

My suggestion?

if you have a 40b, size the stand for a 75g 48*18 tank, that will allow ample room and then if you want to you can upgrade to a 75g tank when you outgrow your 40

 

[Jeffycann]

Sound advice. I didn't even think about upgrading

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Skip the 2xs. just use 3/4" Baltic birch.

 

[Jeffycann]

Already bought the 2x4's

 

[MartyF]

Already bought the 2x4's

Also, if you build it a little bit higher than the standard 36" you could fit a larger skimmer. I was limited with which I could fit in my sump under my standard sized stand for my 40b because of the height limitations

 

[Jeffycann]

I was thinking about going a little taller as well

 

[Bakedpwn]

yea i have a 40b and bought the setup already built but it is right to the tank dimensions. Like squirrel said its nice to have the extra room. I had to hang my gfo reactor on a leg which i dont like. The height has never been an issue, i have plenty. i could grow some tall mangroves if i wanted. I have a 20L sump and it fits snug. If you could fit a 40b sump would be sick as heck too.

 

[Jeffycann]

Definitely going to make it 48" long. I like how squirrels looks. The extra bit of shelf space will be helpful. I'm going to start cutting wood thus morning when I get off of work hopefully