Kingfish Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 As many of you may know I am building two coral holding tanks for our store. I figured i would take pics and give some instruction along the way in case anyone is interested. The tanks will be 96" L x 32" W x 16" H and hold around 200 gallons each. I decided on these measurements because a standard acrylic sheet is 48"x96" . With a 32x96 base that leaves a 16x96 piece left for one of the sides. A tank of this size requires only two sheets of acrylic. With heavy bracing, this tank could be built out of 3/8 or 1/2 inch. As we all know, bracing sucks, so I am building these out of 3/4 cast acrylic. The cost per sheet was around $350, and the materials for the stand was about $90. So about $800 per tank and stand combo. The first pic is some 1/2 plywood with 2x4's framed around the perimeter, glued and screwed with 1 5/8 drywall screws. I attached the 2x4's together with 3" course drywall screws. All screw holes were predrilled with a hitachi counter sink bit. next i added cross members for additional support After that I began to attach 32" legs with wood glue and the 3" drywall screws. Here is a pic with all the legs attached and begining to attach lower bracing. The 2x4" support structure is done , so i began adding the plywood facing. i used 3/4" Blondewood from the Shoal Creek Lowe's ($25/sheet) All the facing wood on. Another angle. Once I had all the materials back at the shop, the stand took about 3 hours to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishypets Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Nice work Brian Next time I want to see John build a stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfish Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 I think i'll let john build the tank. Pics to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Build the tank? I'll get a call into my tank guy tomorrow lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark8nge1 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 wow you actually used 2x4s willingly for once laughing9.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfish Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Don't worry ben, i am going to use toothpicks and a gluestick for the next one. You know I believe in over-engineering (sarcasm). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark8nge1 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 actually I have no doubt that you could and make it actually hold up a tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfish Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 The stand is done and stained with a one step stain and polyurethane. I started the tank today and was able to get the sides glued together. i used the Weld on #4 with guitar wire (#8). I positioned the panels with the wire in the joint and positioned the clamps. It was 74 F inside the store, so I had to work fast. After dripping the weld on in, i waited 30 seconds and pulled the wire out of the joints. I waited 60 more seconds and clamped the joints firmly, but not so much that too much glue came out of the joint. materials: razor blade, syringe, WO #4, Square, masking tape, clamps, kleenex, Ernie Ball 8 wire. My technique has improved, no air bubbles this time. I used some of Ben's advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judefish Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Brian, you have constructed that stand since I was there Sunday? WOW The blond wood is beautiful. You will never go hungry. Can't wait to see the tank. Judith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark8nge1 Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Looking good! Is this tank all finished yet. Just got back in town, if your still up for trying to make a tank with the 40 give me a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfish Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 Ben, progress has come to a complete halt. We took 5 days off for thanksgiving and now I have a huge Holiday-hangover (no alcohol involved). When I get motivated I'll give you a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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