Step-by-Step Setup - 75G - Pics Included

hatty324 · 03-14-2006, 10:31 PM

So after much deliberation I have decided to start my hobby in the fish industry. I will be starting with a 75G Glass SW Tank. The first thing I have decided to do is to build a custom made stand for this tank. I will show my step-by-step process of this, and much more as I move forward in having my first tank! A 75G All-Glass tank with Pre-Cut holes is on order, will be taking home within the next few weeks. The construction of the stand starts on Saturday (majority of it will be on Saturday). My good buddy noob101 will be helping me out.

The stand will be 56" long, 26" deep, and 40" tall. I wanted the tank to sit up a little higher so that you dont have to bend down too far to see the fish/tank. Eventually I will add on a canopy, but for now I am starting with the stand. The stand needs to support 1000lbs, so I am making just about as strong as possible. Below are images of the design (mainly a bunch of 2 x 4's).

Bottom Base/Top Base
- There are 4 corner braces (2 2x4's drilled together and also held together using the piece below)

See Above

Front Skeleton - Just 2x4's

Front Finished (has 2 Cabinet Doors)

Back Finished (2x4s with no covering imbetween - This allows for air flow for the Sump and for easy piping through the back)

Top of Stand (Tank placement fits perfectly in middle of flat 2x4s).

Will take pictures of lumber/hardware tomorrow after I make the purchases at Home Depot! Will be sure to keep everyone updated as the tank progress from start to complete setup!

Loverotties · 03-14-2006, 10:46 PM

What type of wood you using?

dobejazz · 03-14-2006, 10:55 PM

With the stand that tall make sure you have a step stool for working in the tank

hatty324 · 03-15-2006, 08:57 AM

Oh yes I know I'll need a step stool...but it will be worth it.

Uh...not sure at the moment about what type of wood, will figure that out at Home Depot today. All I know is it will be untreated....later I will be giving it a nice stain.

motorslave · 03-15-2006, 08:59 AM

Make the openings as big as possible. If you can put doors on the ends also, very big help as you will soon find that no stand has enough room after about two weeks! Accesability is the key! The structure looks great!

R

hatty324 · 03-15-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks, the two cabinets will be 24" x 18" which is pretty good sizing for the cabinet doors. I'll take into consideration having cabinets on the side.

noob101 · 03-15-2006, 10:21 AM

Hurry if you all have any suggestions about his set-up for his stand cause we are building it this saturday!!!!

hatty324 · 03-15-2006, 01:20 PM

I just finished figuring out how my overflow system will work with my tank which is coming pre-drilled by all-glass. Here is an image of the actual overflow they will be securing on. It is supposed to be very secure, secure enough to put LR up against the wall.

Below is the design of the overflow and how it works.

1. Water flows in from the bottom, middle, and top inlets and spills over inner wall of overflow into reservoir.

2. Unfiltered water passes thru drain pipe and out of tank to main filter system.

3. Filtered water is pumped back into tank.

The overflow can handle a maximum throughput of 600 GPH which will be plenty for my 75G tank.

noob101 · 03-15-2006, 01:38 PM

Yep you got it right... Lol kinda hard to explain it over the phone haha can't wait to get some fish in my tank this or next week.everything has been going swimmingly lol no pun intended...

hatty324 · 03-15-2006, 01:47 PM

Haha....sure you didnt mean the pun......yes it was hard to understand over the phone...more something I needed to see..thanks dude.