Thank you i appreciate the compliment .... i actually traded all of the live stock and rock for the brand new tank so im essentially starting from the beginning again , ya i know some will say im crazy but it was time , i learned a lot from this tank and hopefully will have a thriving SPS dominant tank again soon ??
as far as the stand , im adding 4 x 4 supports in the back and extending the depth of the stand , the cross supporting the center and sides , i will notch out 4 x 4 posts for the front corners as added support and lay a 1/2" piece of plywood down across the top and put a 1/4" piece of self leveling rubber liner on top of that and then the tank . the canopy will slide right on but will have a 12" gap in the back , you wont see this gap because the side cabinets will come out far enough to cover it , the only thing i have to change on the sidde cabinets and the canopy are the few trim pieces because the new tank is 12" deeper ( 36" compared to 24" )
hope that helps ?