I like the stand design and would like to ask a few questions if you do not mind:
* The design looks like it is based on the rainbow DIY sketchup floating on the internet. True? I like the use of 2x6" BTW.
* The sump sits directly on the floor in a water tight box?
* Did you have any problems leveling?
In the face constructed of individual 1X?" wood boards or plywood or mix?
Any pictures of the doors?
Thanks!
Hi Kraken,
Thanks for stopping by and I would be happy to answer any questions you have.
I used the 2x frame idea and the data write up that was with it. I liked the idea of it being simple to make with minimal tools and readily available material. I would like to have done a nice stand like DonW is working on by I didn't know how to do it nor did I have the skill for it yet.
I like wood working, I just don't know as much as I want. You can make the stand from mostly 2x4s but the top frame needs to be a wider 2x depending on the tank size/gallon and on the length of unsupported openings. It was pretty easy to figure out.
The sump sits on top of a 3/4" piece of plywood and the stand sits on top/attached to it as well. You don't need the plywood bottom but I wanted an area to catch any spills or "small overflows" before it goes onto my wife's floor. LOL. The plywood bottom was glued and screwed to the bottom of the frame, I chalked the inside and then painted it with a 2 part marine epoxy paint a friend gave me. Any spilled water gets tossed. The rest of the inside of the stand was painted with left over Kilz to seal the wood. I really didn't have any leveling problems. I made sure the floor was level, I made sure the wood was straight as possible, I measured twice and cut once and I tried to make the joints as tight as possible. There was a slight (maybe 1/8") off front to back so we shimmed the front of the tank with wood shims. Probably didn't have to shim it but I wanted to be as close as possible.
The face I made with 1x select pine boards and used pocket hole screws and glue to hold it together. I then used some brad nails to attach the face to the 2xs.
No doors yet.
But I'm going to work on that. I'm looking at either cutting raised panel doors on my table saw or, make wooden frames and having my wife make some stained glass panels (used to be her hobby) for them and have them back lite. I also need to work on making a nice canopy too. I have the lights and reflectors but am short on time. I'll just have to plan on spending a full Saturday and Sunday in the garage at some point. LOL