Covers/Doors

[GruntSmash]

I ended up with a a good size 200 gallon tank with a 200 gallon sump.
The stand is metal square tubing.
I’m ok with the sump being open and exposed but my fiance wants it covered and “pretty”.
I can build pretty much anything out of wood, a decent welder, and handy with tools.
Any suggestions or pointers for what to cover the bottom of the tank stand?

 

[Jtuvey]

In my opinion barn style doors would look nice and when opened it would give you the same access to the sump. You would most likely need to make one panel removable or make the center solid with some latch system so you could remove it. There are a couple of posts on R2R showing what it could look like.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

White PVC panels with magnets?

 

[GruntSmash]

White PVC panels with magnets?

I have thought about that the most.

 

[GruntSmash]

In my opinion barn style doors would look nice and when opened it would give you the same access to the sump. You would most likely need to make one panel removable or make the center solid with some latch system so you could remove it. There are a couple of posts on R2R showing what it could look like.

Never though barn style doors.
That’s a good idea

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@Troylee

 

[Troylee]

Acm panels are cheap and come pre finished.. you can either laminate it or use magnets. It’s vey easy to cut and work with., it’s basically pvc with a super thin metal coating on the face and back of it.

 

[RobertK]

I've been looking into how some of the larger tank/stand manufacturers do this. Maybe this might give you some ideas. Planet Aquariums and Glass Cages both offer metal stands with wood paneling but do it differently.

Planet builds a 3-sided wooden shell including hinged doors and attaches the whole thing to the metal stand with screws:

Glass Cages makes individual wood panels that are held on with magnets:

More photos on their website:
https://glasscages.com/gallery-view/?album=metal-stand-photos
Hope that helps!