I picked up a couple of 'new' tanks the other day.

They are 1.8m long, approx 300l each, so should make great homes for my plecos as they get bigger.

I'm short of space in the house, but if I move out my 3ft stand and it's tank I can fit these in, and still have room for some chairs and computers etc. So I got to designing.

And with some tanks and fish.

The tanks have been drilled on the front left corner, so I am planning to connect that to standpipes inside the tank and run some home built sump filters under the stand.

Next... start cutting some wood

Ian

nice one

what is the drawing program?

nice one

what is the drawing program?

Bryce 3D

It's not really a CAD package, more a raytracing and 3d drawing thing.

I think the version 5.5 is still available as a free download.

Ian

i would like to see how you set your sump out

i would like to see how you set your sump out

So do I

I haven't got that far in the planning yet. But something will come together I'm sure.

But I have started construction anyway.

Sorted out part of the wood stash first.

Then break out the trusty planer.

and plane up some 4x2s

And a big pile of shavings.

Ian

Most of the parts roughly cut to size, not finished everything yet, but getting there.

Cutting out the large pieces for the tanks to sit on. Using 16x2s might be a bit excessive, but I have them, so why not.

They are too big to go through the planer so they get surfaced with a router mounted on the mill.

Even took a video of the process.

Ian

cool

machinery aaah!

nice progress. how do you access the lower tank to get larger items like rockwork etc in or out?

Hey I was wondering if anyone knew of a program similar to Bryce 3D but for pc?

I thought Bryce3D WAS for PC!?

http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/support/downlo ... bryce&_m=d

Hows the stand going now?

Slow - been home alone baby sitting all week :roll:

Might get some time to work on it today though 8)

nice progress. how do you access the lower tank to get larger items like rockwork etc in or out?

The wooden panels about each tank is removable, going to be held in place with magnet catches. It will limit how big a rock you can manouver in, but it still gives good access.

Ian

This is awesome! I cant wait to see all the progress and then the final thing.

Thanks for sharing with us Ian!

Test assembly for the uprights.

Screwed and glued together.

The first two uprights and shelves, so it's coming together.

I have now got the 4 upright sections built, and the shelves have been edge and sanded. Now all the visible parts need to be made :roll: Doors, light hoods etc, and a few braces to hold the whole thing together.

I think it's going to have to be assembled in place though :roll:

Ian

Have you finished the stand yet????

In the pics you posted with the tanks on a stand, how would access the lower tank to clean and such???

Caper

Have you finished the stand yet????

In the pics you posted with the tanks on a stand, how would access the lower tank to clean and such???

Caper

More progress has been made, but not finished yet. :oops:

The wooden panels above the tanks are removable, just held in place with magnets. That is enough to give access to the lower tank. The upper shelf and tank are set back as well to give a bit more space. It's a bit awkward to work on the lower tank, but I've already built a couple of double stands so I know how much space I need.

Ian

Thanks always wondered how you can have one on top of the other and still have room to work on bottom tank.

Post pics when you ahem, finish yours 8)

Caper

how is the stand goin

ah yes, on the internet you can never start something fabulous then run out of steam, hide it in the garage and slink off onto the next project...

Let this be a lesson to you all! :lol:

Actually now I am interested in the panels being held on by magnets. I assume you mean those cupboard-latch type magnets?

How to you get a grip to take the board off? Are there handles or ledges etc?

Hi

Nice one..But i think if you laminate the main tank bearers you can remove the front down legs as in photo...Or term is flinch plate..Extremely ridgit...Cheers Phill

Actually now I am interested in the panels being held on by magnets. I assume you mean those cupboard-latch type magnets?

How to you get a grip to take the board off? Are there handles or ledges etc?

Easy enough to buy a pile of rare earth magnets off trademe that should work great for holding them.

Umm.. yeah. :oops:

I have done some more, but not enough to be worth posting pics.

It's still 1/2 done, and I've been off doing other higher priority jobs, like rebuilding an old Oak dresser and fitting a dishwasher into the kitchen for the lady.

But I have to get it finished as it's taking up 1/2 the workshop now :roll:

The other tank stand I built has drilled finger holes in the removable covers, so you can grab them and pull them off the magnets. The covers sit on a small ledge, and the magents just stop them falling off if they get bumped.

I know the front supports aren't really needed, but I've designed it that way anyhow. Belt AND braces, it's RIGID for sure. Also increases the footprint of the stand to spread the weight and conter the weight of the top tank being so high up.

Ian