Home Made stand + Dual Tank

[markoshark]

I'm thinking about making a dual tank setup - 1x 6^2^2, and underneath, a 3^1.5^1.5.

Making a solid wood stand, panelled with marine ply. And when i say underneath, i don't mean a sump, i mean viewing tank, thats permanantly lit by moonlights - ie, a night tank

Possible?

Too heavy?

Ideas?

[sharronpaul]

Definitely possible. Everything is possible, it's just a question of engineering.

With a span of 6' for the upper tank, I would be leaning towards steel, though you could do it with timber if it was thick enough I guess.

And while you're talking about marine ply, alot of people underestimate the structural component of panels. The thicker the better, 12mm would be the thinnest I'd go.

[markoshark]

Yeah, i'm thinking 4^2, and screws + inside angle bracing.

[Ianab]

As your lower tank is only 3 ft thats going to simplify the engineering a lot. You then only have to span the 3ft.

The mulitple 4x2s will be plenty strong enough, and use the ply sheathing as a structual component. Back and sides of 12mm ply will brace and strengthen things considerably.

I would suggest you put some small conventional lights above the lower tank as well. The moonlights are cool if the room lights are off, but in normal daylight the tank will just be a black hole.

Cheers

Ian

[Caryl]

Remember to leave enough height between tanks for net handles etc for maintenance