48x24x24 120 gal stand

[boisblancboy]

Has anyone built a stand for this size tank without any center supports? Just thinking for space and ease working inside the stand.

 

[Sacohen]

Has anyone built a stand for this size tank without any center supports? Just thinking for space and ease working inside the stand.

There are plans on this and other forums for a stand without center supports.
Search RocketEngineer.

 

[boisblancboy]

There are plans on this and other forums for a stand without center supports.
Search RocketEngineer.

Thank you!

 

[Sacohen]

Thank you!

I found the thread...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10406971#post10406971

The image of the stand is missing, but here it is.

 

[George Lopez]

I'm making one now. Look at my build thread. Is for a 90 so its just not as deep but just a wide with how I put my 2x4's my span is only 38" which is small enough for a non supported run you can always use 2x6 if you aren't sure or sister two 2x4's together.

 

[Sacohen]

I built one for a 90 according to the thread I posted.
For a 120 they suggest using 2x6 for the top.

 

[boisblancboy]

Thanks for the replies.

Here’s a major question and I hope a few jump and share their opinion.

So according to the original plan I would go with a 2x6 top from and the bottom frame would stay 2x4. I would like to get a 55 gallon sump in there 48x12.75x21”. I figured it baffled correctly I could make around a 30 gallon fuge.

How tall would you have the stand to make sure there was enough clearance for plumbing, skimmer maintenance etc? Do you think I’m using up too much space buy using the 55 gallon sump?

 

[shred5]

The problem with a 55 gallon is it is the same length as the 120 gallon aquarium plus it is narrow and really high. It hard to get things in and out of because of how high the sides are unless you make the stand really high.

40 breeders are used allot because they actually have more usable space. 648 sq in vs 576 sq in

 

[boisblancboy]

I know I could get the 55 in there but that’s what I was wondering if it’s height would be the issue. I’m not opposed to making the stand taller, the difference in height between the 40b and 55 is only 4 inches. Is the 55 too narrow to make things work? Definitely open to whatever works the best was just hoping to get as large of a fuge chamber as possible.

 

[George Lopez]

It all depends on the skimmer you will be using as well but with the 55 you'll have it full width of the stand. A 40 will give you a foot of space at the sides for equiptment or ato and you'll probably get more surface area for the fuge. Try and design both versions and see what you like best, but personally I'd use a 40. I'm using a 30 for my 90 because I'm not as deep as yours would be.

 

[boisblancboy]

It all depends on the skimmer you will be using as well but with the 55 you'll have it full width of the stand. A 40 will give you a foot of space at the sides for equiptment or ato and you'll probably get more surface area for the fuge. Try and design both versions and see what you like best, but personally I'd use a 40. I'm using a 30 for my 90 because I'm not as deep as yours would be.

I’m probably not thinking of something but what’s the advantage over surface area vs volume? Thanks guys

 

[shred5]

4" is more than you think when you have to tip something on its side to get it out like a skimmer and water is pouring all over. I dealt with it once before with a low stand.

If you have the area to go high and you want the stand that high you might be ok. Remember it is not really about clearance above the equipment it clearance to remove the item. The farther you have to tip something, well you know. The higher the stand the harder it is to reach in the tank.. Personally I like high stands though.

 

[George Lopez]

Ok so height thought. If you go with a standard 36 inches tall stand. Take out 3.5" for bottom 2x4 .75" each top ply and bottom ply and you are left with 31 inches to the top of the base of the stand to the bottom of the plywood where the tank sits. Remove 21 inches for the height of the 55 and you only have 10 inches of clearance to do everything in maintenance and moving things in and out. On top of that you will have the upper 2x6 to compete with when doing maintenance being that it will be in your face. You can fit a skimmer in as long as its not that large in diameter ( under 10") but even an sca302 is about 9 inches so the sump height may hinder your options, you can always go higher and add the difference to your spacing. Just showing the math.

 

[George Lopez]

I’m probably not thinking of something but what’s the advantage over surface area vs volume? Thanks guys

How much of your fuge will have light is the actual difference that's where your surface area comes into play.

 

[shred5]

I’m probably not thinking of something but what’s the advantage over surface area vs volume? Thanks guys

More area to put stuff and work. It is easier to work on a sump with larger surface are than cramming stuff in.. You can only go so high on the water level anyway because skimmers can only run so deep. With it being narrow it is also harder to get the angle to remove something like a skimmer.

A 55 is only 12 inches wide inside and skimmers for that size tank might be a tight fit and allot wont fit. You might be forced to a Space saving skimmers that are most of the time less efficient. Even if you do go SS you might want to switch down the road.

 

[boisblancboy]

Thanks guys! The way you explained the “senarios” made sense to me. As nice as it would be to have the extra volume it’s not worth fighting everything.

Just rough estimating I should be able to get close to 20 gallons for fuge space. Let alone the smaller sump I’ll actually have more space for storage of tank tools, plumbing, and electrical. Cause I would like to install some switches to dedicated recepticals so I don’t have to plug and unplug equipment during maintenance.

 

[George Lopez]

Believe me working in a tight sump is not fun... i know from experience...

 

[boisblancboy]

Believe me working in a tight sump is not fun...

Believe me I know and it should have taught me a lesson. I had a 240 fresh tank for about 10 years. With a giant wet/dry filter in the stand there wasn’t hardly room to remove the filter pad out. It was a nice homemade stand but i definitely want to improve upon that.

 

[bhuyett]

This is mine I built. Sad part is 2 yrs later I’ve just now finished the canopy and have the doors hung. Maybe in another 2 yrs the bottom will be finished.
I planned it to not have a center brace because I’m about to install my Royal Exclusiv Dreambox and replumb the drains and return.

 

[boisblancboy]

This is mine I built. Sad part is 2 yrs later I’ve just now finished the canopy and have the doors hung. Maybe in another 2 yrs the bottom will be finished.
I planned it to not have a center brace because I’m about to install my Royal Exclusiv Dreambox and replumb the drains and return.

Overall how tall is the stand?