sharronpaul Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 With all the discussion re MDF stands, this is our new 6 foot cichlid tank, 340L, on a stand constructed of 18mm mdf, with an internal frame of 50x50 pine. Please excuse the lack of a hood (under construction) and the ugly 70's carpet (sadly there for the duration) Stand is sealed, and then painted in textured metallic finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcoleman Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 hi paul thats one cool tank an stand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 what cichlids are you gunna put into it?? Is that up in your lounge?? Rogan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Nice stand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharronpaul Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Thanks, Caryl and Steve. Yes, Rogan, it's in our lounge - you'd recognise that carpet anywhere! :lol: We're planning our big green sev, some silver dollars, some chocolate cichlids (thanks, mystic!) and a 35cm sailfin plec. And maybe some jewels if they work with the tank. Other than that, we're waiting for fish to jump out and say "yes, pick me! pick me!" :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 wheres the aro you are wanting going??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharronpaul Posted July 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 missed out on the real big one in auckland. We're going with a cichlid tank for now, maybe in a while we can have both. BTW I need to get another glass cutter, then will make patches for this tank for you. Prolly by this weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 sounds good, i will be able to come over and pick it up on sat or sun. i will pm ya sat or sumfin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 you build that paul? you know im looking for a tank stand and i dont mind paying labour :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharronpaul Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Hi Sharn, yep, it's my work, but was an expensive excercise, $300 for materials alone. If you don't care what your stand looks like though, it's so much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 crikey! thats a fair whack!!! i was thinking off cuts of wood (easy to get) sanded and painted :lol: oh, and some nice handles like yours! i might try talk my grandpa into helping me when he comes down next, i have the ideas and he has the skills :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim&Dan Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishy_t Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Awesome stand - looks very professional! These would be perfect with the fish you've already got planned: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pets-animals/Fish/Fish/auction-64997085.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 What a stand, WOW! Great job, geesh I wish I lived closer I have a new 4' tank and trying to decide about a stand, hard to buy one here. Since you have experience, ah question please...a stand made with 2x4's are they strong enough??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharronpaul Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 2 x 4s will be enough - make your framing out of these, and screw plywood/mdf to the outside to give it some torsional rigidity (big words for making it flex-proof) Our stand's structural strength comes from the MDF, I just put some timber bracing inside because I didn't quite trust the MDF not to sag over time. If you do use MDF, make sure it is well sealed. Or you could fly me over and I'll build you one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Thanks If I could I'd gladly fly you over, the only thing is, have to win the lottery MDF is plywood???? :oops: I stopped in at a Home Depot store the other day to see if I could get ideas and the guy said they could cut the wood for me. My best friend built the last one for me, with help from my other best friend (his wife) :-? and ME I've been trying to get some ideas by looking here and the net. I also want to go cheap but of course have a strong stand for my fishies! But, since I can't buy a stand here (unless, I can find somebody whose selling one) I'm thinking that building one would be the cheapest way to go. Plus, I want to do it or at least give it a try with some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharronpaul Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 What you need to do is make a frame with the 2x4's, then screw thin wood to the outside - that'll be more than strong enough. MDF is a bit different to plywood, another name for it is customboard, it's made from wood fibers compressed together with a glue. You could also use triboard, which is MDF with a layer of thin wood on either side of the MDF. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Thanks Not in a big hurry, *she lies* :lol: :lol: okay, so I'm kinda excited about having a 4' tank, this is biggy for me. But, I am still looking at ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 And now the ARAWANA RULES O.K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bOi Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 And now the ARAWANA RULES O.K. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: u talking about evilelmo's tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat692 Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 JUST TO BACK UP WHAT PAUL IS SAYING MDF DOES SAG OVER TIME. TRUST ME I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE USE BRACING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Matt, hit ya "caps lock" you are doing what the internet says is shouting. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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