Starting up my first big tank

[bbandu]

Well I was not going to let all the rain we got this weekend stop me from working on the stand.
The steel frame has now got a really nice coat if truck bedliner on it and is now ready for the wood facade.

While I was waiting for the steel frame to dry, I started on my sump.

I could not let this weekend end without getting some wood (Birch) on the steel frame.

 

[skinz78]

That stand is looking great!

 

[Chops30]

Impressive looking stand, if and when I do upgrade steel stand is were it's at.

 

[bbandu]

this has been a very fun build so far

 

[bbandu]

Ok it is starting to look alot more like a stand now, instead of just a steel frame.

 

[bbandu]

ok got home to late yesterday to actually do any wood working, so I thought that I would work on the baffles for my sump.
So here are the first set of baffles (skimmer side), these will just inset into the tank with some silicone between them and the glass.

 

[zoous]

That's a great looking stand. Make sure you don't have any problems getting your sump and skimmer and etc. inside the stand before the work is completed.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Quick question is that a aquarium stand or a battle tank stand? But looking really good.

LOL i was thinking the same thing...It looks indestructible!! Great pics of your progress and nice wood work too. Cant wait to see it setup with some water in it!

 

[Tabasco1]

Love the stand! It should be able to withSTAND (sorry) anything! Love the truck liner idea. I may just do that to my stand. Love reading builds, so many great ideas.

 

[bbandu]

Thanks for the inputs on the stand, there will be no problems getting any equipment into the stand, there is plenty of room.

Here are some updated pics of the progress on the sump

Here are the first set of baffles installed in the sump

This is truly my first real big build and wanted to save as much money as possible by building as
much as i can.

 

[bbandu]

Ok I did not get as much accomplished as I wanted to but that is ok, will work on it some more when I get back.
The canopy is coming along nicely.

 

[skinz78]

Looking good! I moved the thread to the member tanks section. I think it will get more views there and it belongs there.

 

[MarvinsReef]

nice. looking forward to seeing the tank with water. :)

 

[Rotknee]

Nice...very nice! I wish I had your skills. I'm in the process of upgrading to a simular sized tank and the costs of the steel stands ain't cheap. :wink:

Subscribed!

 

[bbandu]

So its back to work on the tank. I decided to make some changes to my canopy design. I initially was going to install the ballast on the inside back wall of canopy, but to reduce the amount of heat in the canopy I decided to install them outside the canopy in the back. So I created a box where the ballast will be installed and it will still allow me to place the tank against the wall.

 

[bbandu]

ok here is the design for the doors. This is the first time that I have ever built my own doors that were anything other than a solid piece of wood. I did not get to finish the door because I cut the angle going the wrong way on the bottom piece.

 

[bbandu]

ok all the door frames are finished will install the birch plywood inserts tomorrow and hopefully finish up the trim.

 

[Aquaph8]

I'm building my stand right now too. I'm kinda worried about the doors. If they come out half as nice as yours ill be happy. Great job.

 

[Stussyredhat]

Very nice build looks like its going to be very solid. Are you making it so the whole bottom facade is removable? If so what are you doing to ensure the seams stay tight? What type of magnets are you using?

 

[bbandu]

Very nice build looks like its going to be very solid. Are you making it so the whole bottom facade is removable? If so what are you doing to ensure the seams stay tight? What type of magnets are you using?

Actually only the doors are going to be removable in both the stand and canopy. They will all attach with 4 rare earth magnets with a 6lb pull force. This will allow easy access to all areas of my stand without any problems. As far as the canopy goes the two front doors will be used for feeding and minor tank maintenance and the side doors will house the fans and this will allow easy access in the future if I have to change out the fans.