40B Upgrade Ultimate Edition

[SaltAddict89]

I have fiy dropped the pennies and nickels to finally build this thing. I dont really have a clue on how to describe the build so ill post photos and let yall ask the questions. But before that some shoutouts are due.

-Phil for the drilling and plumbing advice/parts and endless texts throughout the day about flow
-Alex for plumbing advice and sump design
CTARS Members- for dealing with all the crap and questions I post on the forums

 

[Bryan47]

Can't wait to watch the build! Got help from both the same people !

 

[SaltySammy]

Looks great man, However i would add a center brace for the tank just to add some piece of mind. No tank is designed to take all the stress of the weight on the edge, a quick piece of 1x should work fine which i have tons of, no such thing in overkill for me.... Just my 2 cents. I can certainly find a reason to run down to SubBase (package store :bigsmile: ) and stop by with saw and tools and do it for ya. Its gonna be a nice setup....

 

[gar732]

Looks great man, However i would add a center brace for the tank just to add some piece of mind. No tank is designed to take all the stress of the weight on the edge, a quick piece of 1x should work fine which i have tons of, no such thing in overkill for me.... Just my 2 cents. I can certainly find a reason to run down to SubBase (package store :bigsmile: ) and stop by with saw and tools and do it for ya. Its gonna be a nice setup....

Do you mean a vertical support in the middle of the stand?

Saltaddict, are you planning on adding any more 2x4s or is this a finished inner structure? The reason I ask is that the back looks like there is a 2x4 between the top and bottom but in the front there is not so the only thing holding up the weight of the tank in the front are the screws holding it together with is not good. If you are planning on adding some more structural support during finishing then I may be speaking up prematurely. I'd just hate to see you have a problem down the road knowing I could have said something.

 

[SaltySammy]

yea

 

[SaltAddict89]

I plan on adding 2 more in the front as well as 3 between the bottom and 1 vertical center brace

 

[Triggreef]

Generally the corners is all that matters. Corners should be directly from the tank to the floor. Theoretically you could get away with only ply on all 4 sides as Long as it's fine right.

That said, I think you'd be fine with your tank as is especially after you wrap that frame in ply. Anything bigger than a 40g though would start to worry me.

 

[gar732]

3/4" ply is plenty strong enough to support the weight of that tank and more. If done correctly the stand could have been made from 1x. Though even if the stand were wrapped in ply the way it sits it still would be the fasteners that would be supporting the weight. You want the downward pressure to be resting on wood not screws. The guy who came up with that design for the 2x4 stand is an engineer and explains it much better than it could if you want to check it out.

Also the center verticals support is unnecessary with the 2x4 construction and will only serve to get in your way. Those 2x4s are plenty strong enough to support a 3ft span. I made my stand for my 75g out of 2x4 with no center support and after years of use they was absolutely no sagging of that horizontal 2x4. My stand for my broodstock system is made the same way but without being skinned with no issues. I can post pics of some of the stands I've worked on if you'd like, just let me know.

 

[SaltAddict89]

Okay cause i was unsure if i wanted to skin it or not since its gonna be in my man room

 

[phillrodrigo]

It may be over kill but the design to the stand should have 2 more 2 X 4 in each corner. There's in in the front corner and side corners that butt up together. It's over kill but gives you a place to nail the ply to and a flush front. Then trim it out in 1 X 3 or 4

 

[SaltySammy]

Ohhhh +1

 

[Triggreef]

Gar described what I was trying to say much better. To clarify though, I think what you have will still work, but you might want to add a 2x4 in each corner in between your outside base there, and under that rim where the corner of the base of the tank will rest. Prior to the wrapping with ply. I think that's what phill meant.

 

[SaltySammy]

opps no a horizontal i think i was half asleep ... in carpentry i believe it could be call a strap ... prevents not sag but twist .. the lumber today is horribly dried and having built my house and a lot of fine furniture, milling most lumber myself the commercial pine today is not even close to being older growth so the knoting and grain suks causing all kinds of pains But do what ya want a few bucks more is not an issue with me

 

[SaltAddict89]

I cracked my glass today and not sure if its fixable. If its not anyone have a 40B laying around?

 

[143MPCo]

man that sucks. but I would agree with you and I don't think that's at all fixable.

 

[SaltAddict89]

Nope so now i have to wait for another 40 to pop up or a tank that is 36Lx18W

 

[Bryan47]

I have one but plan on using it as a sump. Maybe some corals will convince me to donate it

 

[SaltAddict89]

If i had corals worth donating. All i have is a large kenya tree

 

[Bryan47]

It's a deal. The hobby is about paying it forward. See you tonight!

 

[SaltAddict89]

You want my kenya tree? If so its not even fragged. Plus im not going tonight