DIY Stand and Frag Tank Build

[prsnlty]

A quick drawing...

 

[prsnlty]

So both ways. Top and bottom across the corners and both sides of frame to leg top and bottoms

 

[prsnlty]

This is to keep it square and from racking
Make sure that you use a square to be sure your quarters are square when you screw them down also.

 

[bobyboy]

If you use 5/8 plywood for the top you can have it rest on the legs but with an added 1x2 to help support as well.

Yes 10" is great. Yes each side top and bottom as shown in the picture you posted


A quick drawing.

So the outer frame and legs as I pictured then with an inner frame/brace for each leg.

I was thinking of going with the outer frame top and bottom with the plywood skin between the upper and lower frames using framing nails to the 2x2 for added rigidity with the front panel acting as the door to the inside.

or should I attach the skin to the outside of the frame?

 

[prsnlty]

You can do it either way provided that you brace it with the knee braces. however be careful of framing nails they tend to rust you should really use deck screws.

 

[bobyboy]

Thanks for the help, I'll keep this post updated as I progress.

I'm using all weather deck screws for the majority Of the build with the nails only to hold the the plywood in place, I guess I could just use the deck screws then sparkle over them then sand it down before I paint.

I'm going to coat everything in multiple layers of sealent inside and out then an epoxy paint for the finish.

I plan to use embedded magnets for the front door and hopefully won't have any exposed metal to rust.

 

[prsnlty]

Thanks for the help, I'll keep this post updated as I progress.

I'm using all weather deck screws for the majority Of the build with the nails only to hold the the plywood in place, I guess I could just use the deck screws then sparkle over them then sand it down before I paint.

I'm going to coat everything in multiple layers of sealent inside and out then an epoxy paint for the finish.

I plan to use embedded magnets for the front door and hopefully won't have any exposed metal to rust.

Sounds good, good luck with your stand [emoji3]

 

[JustSomeGuy]

This is what I used when I sealed my canopy. I did not paint the inside when I did it just used this stuff and I was very pleased. Takes a little work to get it on real nice and smooth but it can be sanded to smooth it for paint. I used a urethane sealer because I was originally planning to paint it with automotive paint and clear.
Good luck with your build. Those jawbreakers are looking a little on the pretty side.

 

[bobyboy]

Sounds good, good luck with your stand [emoji3]

A little update
I purchased my lumber which consisted of 4 pieces of 2x2 S4S actual size 1.5x1.5
20' of 1x2 S4S actual size 0.75"x1.5"

Here is my sketch for the top and bottom and not sketched are the knee braces on the sides.

On the sketch capital T = screw and the number indicates the length.

TT = side by side

Where as

T
T
= stacked on top of each other

 

[Neil D Yanez]

Overkill is best. You dont want to build a stand twice. Or tear your tank down to change over the stand

I'm with the black pearl. I've always built my own stands out of solid treated 2X4's, that way I can modify the stand just how I like it. Like building it extra tall to fit the protein skimmer off my choice. Building it to fit all of my electrical under one roof. Building it to fit all of my plumbing then some. Like THE BLACK PEARL stated the last thing that you want to do is have to deal with a stand once you've set up your tank!

Overkill is best. You dont want to build a stand twice. Or tear your tank down to change over the stand

 

[bobyboy]

I'm with the black pearl. I've always built my own stands out of solid treated 2X4's, that way I can modify the stand just how I like it. Like building it extra tall to fit the protein skimmer off my choice. Building it to fit all of my electrical under one roof. Building it to fit all of my plumbing then some. Like THE BLACK PEARL stated the last thing that you want to do is have to deal with a stand once you've set up your tank!

Thank you for the advice.
I understand that there is a need for "overkill" but then there is super ridiculous overkill and that is what 2x4 would have been.
For a larger tank I would have gone 2x4 with out question and I debated about doing so, but as I've seen multiple stands my size made from plywood alone I figured I'd ask about the 2x2. For a tank that's 24x24x10 it appears 2x2 is even "overkill" at this point but better safe than sorry!


Now for some updates, I've started the construction!!!
Should I just continue updating this thread or should I start a new DIY build thread?

I hit a few road bumps right out of the box but managed to get one square frame done tonight.

 

[dbl]

I agree 2x4's would have been total overkill, but I've already mentioned that...lol.

I would recommend just updating this thread with your progress. It has the history here and I'm looking forward to the progress. I can change the title to "DIY Stand Advice and Build", or something like that, if you'd like. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[prsnlty]

Thank you for the advice.
I understand that there is a need for "overkill" but then there is super ridiculous overkill and that is what 2x4 would have been.
For a larger tank I would have gone 2x4 with out question and I debated about doing so, but as I've seen multiple stands my size made from plywood alone I figured I'd ask about the 2x2. For a tank that's 24x24x10 is appears 2x2 is even "overkill" at this point but better safe than sorry!


Now for some updates, I've started the construction!!!
Should I just continue updating this thread or should I start a new DIY build thread?

I hit a few road bumps right out of the box but managed to get one square fram done tonight.

You should do your own build thread so tgat you can continuously update it from here on out

 

[bobyboy]

I agree 2x4's would have been total overkill, but I've already mentioned that...lol.

I would recommend just updating this thread with your progress. It has the history here and I'm looking forward to the progress. I can change the title to "DIY Stand Advice and Build", or something like that, if you'd like. Good luck and keep us posted.

That would be great, Thanks

You should do your own build thread so tgat you can continuously update it from here on out

Looks like this is turning into a build thread, PICS incoming!

 

[dbl]

That would be great, Thanks

I sent you a PM.

 

[bobyboy]

So I picked up my wood, S4S maple in 2x2 and 1x2. Then went to Home Depot for screws, the guy there recommended the NEW Spax drilless screws so I bought a pound of 1.5" and 2.5"

Got home cut all my pieces to size then attempted to assemble the first 2 pieces!



Needless to say the screws do require a pilot hole!
Ok, lesson learned so let's try this again but with drilling first.



Better but still cracked when I sunk the heads so they where flush!

Now I'm like to hell with these $10/box screws and take them back for some regular wood screws @ $4/box

With my previous lessons learned let's give it another shot.
This time I start with a 1/8 pilot then a 3/8 just on the tip maybe 1/16 deep so I can sink the head without worry.







Success!!



Now to finish off the outer frame and start the inner supports!
The inner supports are 19" pieces that run inbetween the legs, in order to position them I had to clamp the legs in place in the corners then fit the piece and clamp it, I had to use a large C clamp and in order not to damage the wood I used 2 pieces of scrap on the inside and outside between the clamp and stand pieces.



This was pretty easy and straight forward.
Here are a few shots of it done!





And with the legs fitted into position but not secured as I need them in order to complete the other frame!







And that's it for my progress tonight, depending what time I get home tomorrow I'll try and finish off the second one, I probably won't document it as it's literally the exact same thing unless something should happen!

Any thoughts or advice as I go along is always appreciated!

 

[bobyboy]

I sent you a PM.

Got it, thanks!

 

[bobyboy]

You should do your own build thread so tgat you can continuously update it from here on out

Did you mean as in a new tank build/setup thread?
This is for a secondary frag tank, I currently have an Innovative Marine SR80 as a display tank with a custom canopy and factory stand and many other mods haha.

I've been using a modded biocube 14g as a frag tank for the past year and it is no longer viable for the amount of coral that I have!

I do plan to copy my display tanks canopy for this, it consists of 2 Radion XR30's and 2 48" T5 bulbs.

Here's some eye candy!

 

[prsnlty]

Did you mean as in a new tank build/setup thread?
This is for a secondary frag tank, I currently have an Innovative Marine SR80 as a display tank with a custom canopy and factory stand and many other mods haha.

I've been using a modded biocube 14g as a frag tank for the past year and it is no longer viable for the amount of coral that I have!

I do plan to copy my display tanks canopy for this, it consists of 2 Radion XR30's and 2 48" T5 bulbs.

Here's some eye candy!

Dont worry about it. dbl said you can go ahead and do it here so you're good By the way nice build so far!

 

[bobyboy]

Dont worry about it. dbl said you can go ahead and do it here so you're good By the way nice build so far!

Thanks again for the help with the planning and design, now to see it through to the end!