[Shane the Reef Geek]

Well, I may as well start my thread, because I have several questions I need input on as I begin this build. I've been reading and gleaning ideas left and right, and I'm ready to start buying and building.

So, I have a 75g AGA with a corner overflow. I want to put this on a 74" long stand because the base is 48.5" and I'm thinking of a 20g next to it later. If not I have plenty of cabinet room anyway, which most importantly will house my conical inductor tank. The stand will be built deeper than the 75 to fit it (it's diameter is 19", seen here: http://www.plastic-mart.com/item.aspx?id=5790 ). The 75 will sit on the inner 1" of the frame rather than the customary outer 1". This will also give plenty of room for the bulkheads.

The top beams for the upper stand frame will by 2x6's because I really don't want any vertical support 2x4's in the front. The rest of the stand frame will be 2x4's, and will of course have ties between the front frame and back. I plan on having a solid stand top, plywood.
1.What do you guys think of having no supports in the front?

I am still drawing up plans to the stand, but I'm hoping the description is understandable enough that people can visualize it. If you see a major design flaw tell me. I've seen several stand builds with no middle supports, but I haven't seen one yet of a 6' stand without them (not that there isn't any). Second, the 75 will sit to the left side of the stand, so will not having supports under the right side corners be an issue?

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

Now, for this cone settling tank, I don't want to have to buy that $70 stand they have for it, so I'm thinking I could cut a plywood square and cut a hole in it that fits near the top of the cone for it to sit in. Beveled edges and such as to be easy on the tank.

You know, it may be a good idea to have that plywood piece supported by 2x4's in the frame. :doh: So much for no support beams. I guess that's ok though, because that tank won't be coming out, and I'm counting on that as being a critical part of the system for detritus removal.

Geoff, Berggy? Anyone else that's used these, do you suggest buying the metal stand or build one out of wood and incorporate it into the stand? How often would I need to access inside of it? That would be the benefit of the metal stand, is that I could pull it out without stand surgery.

 

[Nate_Bro]

seems like a lot of guys in the "other" hobby do it that way...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...w.,cf.osb&fp=30e202c82c52467e&biw=927&bih=543

 

[Nate_Bro]

The top beams for the upper stand frame will by 2x6's because I really don't want any vertical support 2x4's in the front. The rest of the stand frame will be 2x4's, and will of course have ties between the front frame and back. I plan on having a solid stand top, plywood.
1.What do you guys think of having no supports in the front?

with the 2x6 it should be fine IMO

will you have supports in the back?

 

[Nate_Bro]

see if you can make heads of tails of these....

http://www.msrlumber.org/spantables.pdf

http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/timbercalcstyle.asp

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

I will have 2 2x4's in the back, one at 2' and one at 4'. I think I'll have one in the front at 2' from the left. It will give me something to help support the cone tank and I'll sleep better for it.

I've got these sitting in my cart:

Reef Octopus 6" skimmer NWB150
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-octopus-6-pinwheel-in-sump-skimmer.html

and I'm thinking of going with this for a return:
Eheim 1260 pump, 640 gph.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/eheim-1260-universal-aquarium-pump-640gph.html

But after 6' head loss I'm looking at about 325gph. That doesn't seem like it's enough. I want a slower flow through the sump, especially since it's coming from the settling tank.... I dunno, should I move up to the next size pump, the 1262 @ 900gph? That's big...but I'm putting in a Y at the top, so maybe not and I can always gate it. Man, I'm already over pump budget at the 1260...:nuts:

 

[Nate_Bro]

personally I found the 4-5x turnover in the sump really helps get the detritus out and into the skimmer...

before I have maybe 125 gph going to my sump and detritus would not get in the sump but stay in the display....

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

That's kinda what I was thinking, that I wouldn't be drawing enough water from the DT. Wasnt there someone on here that said they wanted to speed up the flow in their cone tank? Going with the bigger pump may have more than one advantage... I didn't ask the missus to spend that kind of cash though. Might be an easier to ask forgiveness situation, too bad she works at our bank. I can't buy a coke without her knowing about it..

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

Lookie, Lookie

I got some cool stuff today. Too bad I'm a ways off from doing anything with it, but I'm collecting the pieces.

I'm pretty sure that octo skimmer could eat my Coralife "Super" skimmer and not even burp. I'm in love.

Got the return pump too. Eheim 1262. It's by far the best pump I've owned. I'm moving on up! :thumbup:

I also got these zoos on Sat. for the 55g.

Next up on the docket: lumber for the stand, my inductor tank, and my sump tank. I just simply forgot to get the tank at the LFS while I was there. I got too busy shootin' the gab and looking at coral. I'd also like to find an inductor tank the right size in Iowa City so I don't have to pay $30 for shipping the darned thing to me.

 

[Doug1]

my 75 was sitting on a stand that was sized to hold a 120(4x2x2) in case I wanted to upgrade later. I did have a vertical support in front and back back but I designed it so that the 48x15x15 sump could slide in either end via removable panels, and the plumbing went to the sump through slots cut in back or the top with a hole saw and jig saw

 

[bdial438]

I love reef octo skimmers. I love getting the box. I get so giddy whenever I see it. Lol. It's so big and exciting.

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

I love reef octo skimmers. I love getting the box. I get so giddy whenever I see it. Lol. It's so big and exciting.

I know. It's huge, or at least it is in my eyes. This will be the fifth skimmer I've owned and will be the first REAL skimmer as well.

I've owned, in chronological order: a skilter, seaclone 100, a prizm deluxe, a Coralife Super Skimmer, and now the Octo.

Except the last one it's a list of the crappiest chunks of plastic you'll ever spend $$$ on. Well, the Coralife has gotten me by for a while, but it makes me terribly nervous all the time, and only really skims consistently if I'm constantly cleaning and tweaking it.

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

my 75 was sitting on a stand that was sized to hold a 120(4x2x2) in case I wanted to upgrade later. I did have a vertical support in front and back back but I designed it so that the 48x15x15 sump could slide in either end via removable panels, and the plumbing went to the sump through slots cut in back or the top with a hole saw and jig saw

Thanks Doug. I would like having the option of sliding it out the end, but it won't work where I'm putting it. Having the inductor tank on one side rules that side out, though there is a bit of drywall on that side anyway. The other side will be right next to the start of an angled bay window type wall. No good either. That spot is one of two walls that measure 6 foot downstairs that would be usable. The other spot holds our couch already. I'm kind of walking on ice as it is with the missus with this build, I don't want to push my luck suggesting the re-arrangement of our entire downstairs.

I have plans drawn up, I'll have to scan them and post them. There will be support on the left side corner of the tank (left side of stand) and another vertical 2x4 two feet over ( a little over halfway across the tank). There won't be another 2x4 in the front, so nothing under the right corner in terms of vertical support, but it will be sitting on a 2x6 and plywood top.

The back will have a few 2x4's in each corner, and one at 2' and 4'. I'll be able to pull the sump right out of the front if necessary. I also would like to upgrade to a 6' tank someday, hence a larger stand. I can dream, right?

I hope all that made sense...

 

[emkbass]

Ain't it fun getting new stuff.
Looking forward to the build Shane!!

I like My Octo skimmer but I have a hard time getting a continuous skim out of it. I'm thinking of re-doing my sump again.

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

Lumber!



Should I miter the corners for the top and bottom frame or just butt them together? This is just for the frame, and will be wrapped in plywood. They'll be resting on legs; never be able to see them. Input?

 

[Treasures of the Sea]

I would just but them up Shane. If you aren't going to see them.. At Least I don't on my stands, I don't think it is a factor for structural support.

Funny, your doing the same stuff I'm doing today. Small world...

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

Well, I got cut what I could. Turns out I need two more 2x4s. I didn't add up my scrap correctly, or I counted it as the total length left not being cut into 8 different pieces. I can't say I'm a carpenter. Ah well. I can at least get most of it framed.

I haven't got to use this in a while. It was a lot of fun actually. I think making this stand is going to be the most fun part of this build.


How did you end up doing Mike?

 

[Treasures of the Sea]

Lol, I hate when I miss calculate, another run to Home Depot.. I though I was sick or something, I love using my saws..


I'm about done. Have one more brace to do in the front, and tomorrow will get it set up and start plumbing. I put a pic in my 480 build, if you want to see it.

(don't want to flood your thread with pics)

 

[Shane the Reef Geek]

You know, I figured out where I went wrong. I originally didn't plan for two center braces on top and bottom, only one. I ended up cutting two for each. So that's where I went wrong. At least it was to make it stronger, not just being dumb. :arg:

 

[Treasures of the Sea]

I can agree with that. You know you would hate to get things set and filled up and say Oh no I forgot about that...