First Shot at Google Sketchup Stand / Canopy

[Mnemic]

Not sure if many people have dabbled with Sketchup or not, but I am trying it out to plan my tank. Its a free CAD like software google released for drafting stuff. Its pretty easy to use, and fun to kill time with.


Its looking more and more like I'm going to be going with a 65G setup, so with my time, I've been drafting up a model of the Setup.

If you have Sketchup and want to critique my design, feel free too.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...e2&prevstart=0

Basicly I had a few requirements in the design.
1) wanted a taller stand that would be easier to see from eye level.
2) enough room to put a 20 Long underneath
3) No Center Brace in the Front of the tank for removal of 20L if needed.


With that, here is my first real attempt at a CAD type drawing.
I have not made a "Parts List" yet, just the design. I will eventualy pull out each of the part and line them up for easier build. no Hardware is on here either. Just the basic wood construction.

Anyways, Feel free to take a look and hit me with your worst :P

[OneDummHikk]

Is the tank going to be glass or acrylic?

[Mnemic]

Glass. I didn't draw the tank on the design with the trim. Measurements may be a touch off, but Once I get the tank, I'll go back and touch everything back up again with further precision.

[Mnemic]

Ok, its late, and I accidently overwrote the one on Google with the exploded view. I'll fix it later, but the exploded view is better for seeing it in parts at least.

[jenajet]

That's cool! I may have to play with that.

[OneDummHikk]

Yeah it is very cool Jena. I still haven't figured it out completely (I can barely draw boxes and cylinders with it) but it is awesome for 3D CAD drawings.

[Loverotties]

Love the higher stand to make it easier to look at standing.

[Mnemic]

The nice thing about DIY, can tailor it to your needs.

Ok, I've scrapped that design, and I'm working on something a little more "deluxe". I found an old post by a user here who just put the draft picture of his setup, but I'm modeling it after it since I liked it so much. Attached is the picture he had posted.

Here is my sketchup of the design (work in progress!):
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...e2&prevstart=0

Its in Progress, but I'll update it as I work on it. I Made the front tank support a little easier to build then the last model, and works out better I think. This should give a lot of flexibility for keeping the tank as much "self contained" as possible. Anywho take a peek

I'm also Including a section with materials laid out for ease of calculating lumber needs this time around as well. Getting better at this .

Note I'm NOT an engineer person or know much about lumber or construction. My designs are based on what I've read and seen elsewhere. I'm trying to keep it simple, but effective. So if you are familiar with the construction side of things, and you see that I'm doing something wrong, Please let me know.

[crvz]

Structurally, you're doing fine. If you put a piece of stiff 3/4" plywood under the tank, you wouldnt even need the 2x4s running up under the back side of the tank. It would be supported pretty well by the ones that are set back a little, which the plywood would attach to. But, if you like that design better, and you're into over-doing it, they're surely not hurting anything (a single 2x4 can withstand over 1000 pounds in compression, and a 65 gallon tank is going to be under that when all is said and done, so adding a bunch of extra 2x4s is unnecessary... you could even do just one middle brace on the front if you preferred).

What are you planning on building this out of?

[OneDummHikk]

Looks nice Mnemic. It is definitely strong enough to support the tank. Have you considered duplicating the left side on the right side? Make it symmetrical and then it will look like an in-wall tank setup. Unless the place it is going to sit you need/want that right hand side view.

[Mnemic]

Originally Posted by crvz

Structurally, you're doing fine. If you put a piece of stiff 3/4" plywood under the tank, you wouldnt even need the 2x4s running up under the back side of the tank. It would be supported pretty well by the ones that are set back a little, which the plywood would attach to. But, if you like that design better, and you're into over-doing it, they're surely not hurting anything.

Thats good to know. I may do that. I'm not into OverDoing it, just making sure Its stable and safe. I want to make sure I can get to the plumbing in the back of the tank as well for the CLS and Overflows. which is one reason I'm hesitant to put a cabinet on both sides, Just in case I need to get behind the tank to fix anything.

What are you planning on building this out of?

No clue. I'm open to suggestions. Like I said... I know little about this stuff. I was going to just get some 2x4s for the frame, and maybe a birch plywood covering for the skin/trim. I just know I have too many ideas, and I like playing with Sketchup :P

[crvz]

Originally Posted by Mnemic

No clue. I'm open to suggestions. Like I said... I know little about this stuff. I was going to just get some 2x4s for the frame, and maybe a birch plywood covering for the skin/trim. I just know I have too many ideas, and I like playing with Sketchup :P

2x4s and the birch ply should do well. I actually spent the time to joint and plane my 2x4s, and it made the construction quite a bit easier. But if you don't have the tools, that becomes rather difficult!

When building the frame, a good thought is to make the horizontal supports run the entire 5' length, and then stick the vertical supports in place. Doing this, it's a bit easier to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed into the vertical supports.

[Mnemic]

Originally Posted by crvz

2x4s and the birch ply should do well. I actually spent the time to joint and plane my 2x4s, and it made the construction quite a bit easier. But if you don't have the tools, that becomes rather difficult!

I finally looked up what a Jointer / Planer is, so now I have an idea of what you are talking about :P

My Dad and I will be building the stand. he has most of the tools to do so, but I don't think he has a jointer. Maybe I'll work with him and get one to help with this project, or see if one of my friends/neighbors has one. I'm still in the far planning stages, but I've got the itch really bad for a tank :P. Slow is going to be the way for my project though. One of the reasons I'm spending a lot of time doing the stand first in a CAD format. Helps with the itch, while I plan it out

When building the frame, a good thought is to make the horizontal supports run the entire 5' length, and then stick the vertical supports in place. Doing this, it's a bit easier to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed into the vertical supports.

Good thought. I am made that change as well, in addition to the 3/4 ply ontop of the outer frame.

Take a look. I've also got the Top frame built into the model as well. I have no clue if this is a good way to go about building another "layer" ontop of the stand. I really like how its coming along though.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...e2&prevstart=0

[VWD]

I like that

[crvz]

In theory 2x4s are straight, and for large construction they work fine just as is. But for high fidelity wood working, you'll want to be very selective with which 2x4s you buy at the hardware store (check each one for how straight it is, buy grade 1 or whatever they call it which doesnt have any knots, etc.). The birch ply won't need any real work other than light sanding ones it's in place... but be careful. It can be real easy to sand right through the birch, which'll ruin the look.

Otherwise, keep refining the design. It's looking good!