New 150XH reef set up-- Need input on DIY stand design

[rsb1982]

Hey guys, long time follower of posts and now I have a couple questions if you would care to share your knowledge.
First, a quick bit about me and my experiences.... 20 years of freshwater experience, yet only 2 years with saltwater! Currently run a 29g cichlid tank and a 75g FOWLER tank.
I'll be moving soon and will be taking advantage of the oppertunity to move my cichlids to a new 75g tank on the stand that holds my SW tank. I will be designing a custom stand to hold my new 150XH RR tank w/corner overflow, and the old 75g tank that currently is being used will become the in-stand sump/refuge. My question is; in order to fit a 75G sump, would building a somewhat oversized stand be safe enough to support both the DT and sump? By the attached screenshots of design measurements, the length of the tank would be for 2/3 of the stand (DT would be offset to just one side so there would be center and pillar support on each side of the stand. The remaining 3rd would be used as countertop and cabinet space for my Apex, food, chems, maint products, etc. The depth would also be exaggerated so I would be able to slide the 75g tank in from the side and fit between the vertical 4x4 beams.
Key points...
Dims on 150XH is 48x24x30
Dims on 75g is 48x18x20
Stand, when finished, will have 3 hinged doors in front and one on each side.
Top of stand, as well as floor of inside cabinet will be 3/4" plywood sheets.
DT will sit on about half the surface area of the top perimeter 4x4 structure --THIS IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN--.

Any input or experience you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

DIMS of frame only below:

Finished concept would be somewhat similar to this design (of course doors would be evenly spaced at 18.7" for each framed opening):

Looking forward to your thoughts and opinions!!
Thanks in advance :bounce:

 

[rsb1982]

Let me see if I can post the dims bigger...

 

[rsb1982]

 

[rsb1982]

Well guess you can see why I don't post in forums much, lol. Does anyone know how I can make these screen captures bigger?

 

[rsb1982]

Ok try this...

 

[rsb1982]

Wow, no comments?

 

[-Logzor]

You certainly don't need any 4x4 posts in the frame, 2x4 are more than sufficient. Just use 1/2" ply on the bottom and use foam on top rather than the ply.

 

[rsb1982]

Hi Logzor, thank you for your reply. So using 2x2s all around would be strong enough? And only a 1/2" plywood sheet surface? I figure weight on top, with tank, water, rock, substrate would weigh around 1500-1600 lbs and down below would be about another 400 lbs. Would the same design work or do you suggest something else- like triangles and/or plywood on backside too?
I suppose using 2x4s instead would then allow me to make the depth of the stand 24", so the inside depth would be about 20"-- enough to fit the 75g. I would still like it longer than the tank by 2 feet for the storage and Apex module space.

Sorry, not doubting you at all, just want to be certain the stand will be capable to hold the tanks cause I don't want a huge loss and angry landlord and tenants on my case. Have you constructed a stand similar to hold as much weight?

Oh that was another question I've had.... the foam pad... I've heard a lot of people recommend it but I don't see them (or even a flat board for the tank to sit on) when looking at set up displays at the pet stores.-- just bear bottom glass exposed. I've also heard the glass needs to bow a little and the flat surface could create a pressure point against the tank's cross supports and break the bottom.... True or False? What sort of foam do you use? Is it like the insulation found at Home Depot? What thickness?

Sorry for my thousand-and-one questions!

 

[Eggs]

I have the same tank (150XH is 48x24x30) and my stand is made with 2x4's - essentially a 48" version of your 72" stand drawing. I have quite a bit of rock in it and it holds up just fine.
You may want to reduce the height of the stand if you can; mine is around 30", and when you add the 30" of the tank height it makes it difficult to do maintenance in the tank - I have to use a step-ladder to reach in the bottom portion of the tank.

Regarding the foam, it's my understanding that you don't want to use foam if the tank has the plastic frame around the bottom.

 

[rsb1982]

Eggs,
Thanks so much for your reply! I would love to use 2x4 materials to save cost and weight so that is what I'll do then. Yeah a 38" high stand is tall but I want to have plenty of height to work inside my sump when needed and also I like to have an elevated DT. I figure height after canopy will be around 6'6-8"... maint will be interesting but as long as I have step ladder nearby I should manage
My tank does have the plastic frame and cross member so looks like I wont be using foam either
Do you think if possible you can snap a pic of the inside of your stand just so I can see how your frame connects?

 

[Eggs]

I'll dig out some pictures before the skin was put on; I originally set it up that way and ran for a few years before I actually go around to finishing the stand.
I don't have a sump under mine, it's plumbed through the wall behind the day tank into the fish room. With that center braces in your drawing, that's a good idea to have openings on the end to get the sump in - I agree with the 38" stand height to give you some room if you're going to use the 75g as a sump. The overall height is a pain for maintenance, but with a step ladder its doable.

 

[rsb1982]

Man I envy you having a 'fish room'! I would love to do the same but obviously not feasible until I get into a house

 

[Eggs]

I picked this stand up from someone else. I don't feel the diagonal 2x4's on the end are necessary. I've built similar stands for a 75g and a 180g before without those diagonal pieces.
Also have allot of rock in the tank; I'm guessing +500 lbs.