Opinion: stand back panel or open?

[moz71]

nedd experienced advice. I built my stand and left back of stand open besides some 2x4 braces. I planned to leave open for air exchange but I am worrying about salt creep on my walls and possible light seep from refrug. I plan on glass top on tank so wanted as much air as possible. Also thinking maybe closing half the back. Thoughts?

 

[dogshowgrl]

We left the back open on the stand we built for our old 125. After the salt damage to the drywall we will always have a back panel from now on. If you're worried about air exchange you could always install a vent or fan.

 

[moz71]

Here are some photos

 

[moz71]

Thanks that what I was afraid of. My wife will kill Me if that happened. Guess not done yet

 

[davocean]

Personally I'd leave it open to breathe, as long as there is not a lot of splashing and it's away from wall a little bit it should be fine.

I also would not use glass tops, I'd rather have a net screen if it's to keep fish in.

 

[Idoc]

I'd close up the back... I'm sure glad I did on my stand. I don't have any splashing in my sump, but still get lots of salt creep still forming on the back wall. You can always cut a few holes higher up for air exchange.

 

[moz71]

Right now,I am very close to my wall in my main living space I kinda of like the ideas of cutting some holes in it. I wouldn’t want to start seeing salt creep coming out sides.
I was skeptical about my glass too as well. I do want to cut down on some evaporation but I guess that will happen in sump as well. Definitely leaning towards closing back of stand and just using net top. Thanks all.

 

[jsvand5]

I only have one tank that has a closed in back. I hate it. Every time I open the cabinet everything has a damp feel to it. Cabinet hardware is rusted. I don’t have these issues with my open back stands and I have never had an issue with the wall. If you are worried you could always wipe down the wall every month or so with a swiffer or something similar.

 

[dugthefish]

Need ventilation of some sort to the sump area. Either leave the back off, or plan on installing a couple fans to move air around down there. I'd leave the back off, drywall is extremely easy to fix.

 

[George Lopez]

I closed my back and added two fans pushing air Into the stand and it keeps things dry and keep off of my walls

 

[George Lopez]

Need ventilation of some sort to the sump area. Either leave the back off, or plan on installing a couple fans to move air around down there. I'd leave the back off, drywall is extremely easy to fix.

Not when you have metal studs

 

[Captain Quint]

IMO and IME over the decades I have had several of both. Most time when I had an open back I found myself doing drywall work. But not always. So I dunno 50/50 gamble?

Vents work well and so do removable side doors. Have had no issues since I started closing the backs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

My current stand with doors on and off:

 

[moz71]

Wow thanks all. I guess this is one of the many things in this hobby that there are several solutions and thoughts/opinions. So need to work what is best for me and my wife will not accept me redoing drywall and I probably will not keep up with cleaning that back wall often enough for her. Lol. I actually bought a 1/4 inch panel today and poly sealed 3 coats and cut about 8 2 1/2 inch holes along back to vent. I will put in fans if I don’t like dampness or cut out afterwards if still don’t like it. I figure it will be easiest to remove then put in afterwards. I wish I put I. Removable side but 2 late.