Fresco's 80 Gallon Shallow Reef Build

WilFresco

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And it begins. Decided to downgrade from a 180g to 80g shallow reef. Picked up a rimless 80 gallon rimless(48x24x16), great condition but need to get it drilled. I was able to build a stand real quick. I've built a ton of these and it took longer to cut all the pieces than to put it together lol. Made the stand 48 1/2" x 25". came out pretty nice. Just a standard stand, nothing special. I'm no master carpenter but i will eventually use some finished plywood and drape it over the 2x4s. I'll include pictures of the tank and stand.

took 9 2x4x8s" to complete, ran me about $35, i already had screws but if I didn't the screws would be another $20, not bad at all for probably the sturdiest stand you can get. Everything is available at lowes/home depot.

This was my crude sketch. My math was off but worked out. On the height, I subtracted 6" instead of 7" from the total height (3" from the top and 3" from the bottom, when it should've been 3 1/2). But the height worked out better at 36" instead of 35".
IMG_0449.jpg


Here's a list for the stand, I made it 36" tall cause it is a shallow tank and a good visual height. Also I'm 5'10 (on a good day lol) and it's perfect to work on as I can reach the back of the tank with no help from my trusty step ladder.
Here is the cut lengths I used:
6x 22"
4x 48 3/4
8x 29"
4x 35"
IMG_0432.jpg


These are my screws of choice, basically unstrip-able
IMG_0448.jpg



Started with the top and bottoms, I used 2 of the 48 1/2" and 2 of the 22" pieces for each
IMG_0433.jpg


Then the uprights which consisted of 1 35" piece and a 29" piece for each leg
IMG_0434.jpg


For extra support, added an extra 29" piece on each leg perpendicular to the 1st 29" piece.
IMG_0436.jpg


A center brace on the top and bottom to make sure everything was square all the way across, that was another 22" piece. And the stand was complete. I do plan on adding a piece of 1/2" plywood on top to complete the stand.
Just a side note, on the left leg that is not a gap where the top and leg meet. The wood had a burn mark on the bottom side which you can also see like 10" to the right of the corner, gives the illusion of a gap.
IMG_0437.jpg


And here is the tank on top of the stand, came out nice for $35 lol.
IMG_0439.jpg
 
Congratulations on the new adventure!
 
Decided to build another stand and luckily found a 50 gallon rimless frag tank, same footprint as the shallow but 10" high, so 48x24x10, building the stand was exactly the same.
Screenshot 2025-05-18 171557.png

Screenshot 2025-05-18 171618.png


Got the ehsopps overflow box so got to drilling and painting the backs to both, I only ordered 1 so will have to wait for the other one to get here.
Screenshot 2025-05-18 171631.png

Screenshot 2025-05-18 171648.png

Screenshot 2025-05-18 171708.png


Painted both backs
Screenshot 2025-05-18 171738.png

Screenshot 2025-05-18 171723.png


Then decided to paint the bottom of the frag tank as well, since it'll be bare bottom, so figured why not
Screenshot 2025-05-18 171751.png


Next will be waiting for the other overflow box and installing them both. Then I have to empty out my 180g to begin the plumbing.
 

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