Redesigning Fish tank stand. advise please

[Wayneybop]

Hi. I would like some advice on how to change my stand so I could put a sump inside it.
I have a 180l jewel bow-front tank with stand (3ft x 16.5inch front to back at middle of bow, sides 1ft) but the problem is that the stand has two middle supports. I was wondering if I was to build a standard two legs and cross beam 3x2 timber to go at the front of the stand (will be screwed to the original stand sides, bottom and top) would that be enough support so I could remove the two middle pieces?
Here’s a picture of the stand and either side of the filter are the supports I would like to remove.

Thanks. Wayne

 

[dankaqua]

My two cents:
Build a new stand for the size sump you are envisioning.

The first step for me in the process would be to model the tank in SketchUp and then design a stand that I'm happy with. I probably would make a rectangular stand... but you can always make the curved shape as your current stand, and incorporate a "core wall" type of central rectangular support (with buttresses).

Bottom line, I would definitely not try to remove or re-engineer your stand. No doubt the manufacturer used the amount of wood/glue/screws/etc to make it sturdy and support your tank. Messing with that is asking for trouble...

 

[Wayneybop]

Thank you for the advice. I guess I’ll just build a new stand.

 

[Bigtrout]

Thank you for the advice. I guess I’ll just build a new stand.

Making a new stand is easier than you think. Im very glad I made my 75 gallon stand and thought to design it for a 40 breeder sump when I built it. I didnt implement the sump for a few years but when I did it made it easy.
Plus my stand looks great. Look around for ideas and build the stand that has everything you want!

 

[dankaqua]

Are the below measurements accurate for your Juwel Vision 180?

 

[Wayneybop]

Hi I don’t know how to close this thread. I have just brought a whole new setup with sump

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Making a new stand is easier than you think. Im very glad I made my 75 gallon stand and thought to design it for a 40 breeder sump when I built it. I didnt implement the sump for a few years but when I did it made it easy.
Plus my stand looks great. Look around for ideas and build the stand that has everything you want!

Ooh, this is where I think I'm headed. Inherited a 40g, then caught the bug and decided to start a bigger better build. Got a 55g initially, but I'm swapping it out for a 75g and keeping the 40 as the sump. Hubby is a carpenter, so I've sketched out some custom options - I think the winner is 60W x 24D x 42H. Seemed like overkill at first, but it will bring the tank up to a better viewing level, and have room for both the 40g sump and a 10g QT inside, plus storage for buckets and chemicals and everything else. Anything you didn't build in/wish you did?

 

[Bigtrout]

75 with a 40 breeder sump has been working out great for me. My stand is 38" high, gives me plenty of room over top of the sump to work on it, although looking back I would have went a little taller.

 

[Bigtrout]

Forgot to mention this, I made removable doors held by a lip on the bottom and cabinet magnets on the top. Being able to remove both doors when cleaning or working on the sump helps ALOT.

I made the frame in Rocket Engineer style and skinned it with tongue and groove pine.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Forgot to mention this, I made removable doors held by a lip on the bottom and cabinet magnets on the top. Being able to remove both doors when cleaning or working on the sump helps ALOT.

I made the frame in Rocket Engineer style and skinned it with tongue and groove pine.

That's a great idea! I was thinking about the best way to maintain access, and I think you just provided my solution. Looks good, too!

 

[BHHOWARD]

@RocketEngineer