I am in the process of setting up a new frag system that will be used to grow out corals for a future display system. Since I live in an apartment, I want the system to be relatively easy to move because my wife and I will be purchasing our first house within the next couple of years. So, I picked up a 48"x18"x12" Seapora frag tank.
Now, I need to figure out what stand I am going to use. I have thought about building one to save money, but I have no tools, except for a drill, a hammer, and some other standard tools. I have never been handy since a I have lived in apartments for my entire life. Also, our apartment's floors are incredibly unleveled; it was a nightmare leveling all 20+ leveling feet on my Waterbox. This led me to reach out to Framing Tech to see what the cost would be because I like that the stand would be relatively light, easy to disassemble and reassemble, I would have no doubts about it holding the weight of the aquarium, and the four leveling feet would allow me to much more easily level the stand on my flooring.
I reached out to them, and I received an email this morning. Jeff, the person of contact stated that the cost would be $610 + $100 for shipping, for a 48.5"x18.5"x36" stand. If I want to have them add panel material for the aquarium and sump to rest on, then the cost would jump to $965 + $175 for shipping. He did say that many people that don't end up purchasing a table top or shelf material from them will often use plywood and seal it really well.
I'm confused about what to do. On one hand, I would love to save the money and build a stand, but I have no experience with that, and I would prefer to not have one fail in my apartment. Also, it will be the first thing that is visible when entering our apartment. I am certain that my wife does not want a low-quality stand being the first thing people notice. However, the quote that I received is quite expensive, but I may be willing to pay for a stand that provides years, if not decades, of utility as I will likely always have a frag tank. If I go that route, then I would need to figure out how to skin the stand, which could come in time.
I would love to get your thoughts about this since I am struggling with my decision.
Now, I need to figure out what stand I am going to use. I have thought about building one to save money, but I have no tools, except for a drill, a hammer, and some other standard tools. I have never been handy since a I have lived in apartments for my entire life. Also, our apartment's floors are incredibly unleveled; it was a nightmare leveling all 20+ leveling feet on my Waterbox. This led me to reach out to Framing Tech to see what the cost would be because I like that the stand would be relatively light, easy to disassemble and reassemble, I would have no doubts about it holding the weight of the aquarium, and the four leveling feet would allow me to much more easily level the stand on my flooring.
I reached out to them, and I received an email this morning. Jeff, the person of contact stated that the cost would be $610 + $100 for shipping, for a 48.5"x18.5"x36" stand. If I want to have them add panel material for the aquarium and sump to rest on, then the cost would jump to $965 + $175 for shipping. He did say that many people that don't end up purchasing a table top or shelf material from them will often use plywood and seal it really well.
I'm confused about what to do. On one hand, I would love to save the money and build a stand, but I have no experience with that, and I would prefer to not have one fail in my apartment. Also, it will be the first thing that is visible when entering our apartment. I am certain that my wife does not want a low-quality stand being the first thing people notice. However, the quote that I received is quite expensive, but I may be willing to pay for a stand that provides years, if not decades, of utility as I will likely always have a frag tank. If I go that route, then I would need to figure out how to skin the stand, which could come in time.
I would love to get your thoughts about this since I am struggling with my decision.
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