ideas on building a multiple tank stand. updated 5/2009

[mickmac247]

Hi the guys and gals in the guppy club build al types of multiple stands holding between 4 to 20 tanks. there isnt as much support needed as many thing. Ill try and post a link that will hopefully give you some idea. They have a link to fish rooms these folks have on our club web site. Let us know how you are doing with it. If you notice most tanks are only supported on the front and back and it must work as these guys have been doing it for many many years. look thru the list second link of the names.
http://newenglandguppies.org/FishRoo...ms-andrews.htm
http://newenglandguppies.org/FishRoo...rooms-home.htm

[customdrumfinishes]

thanks for the links, just what i was looking for! just made me want more tanks now lol

[mickmac247]

glad it gave you some ideas and you are not alone on the MTS as you can see in some of those fish rooms wow each month a different member has a meeting at their house so i get to see them in person. Someday I say someday.

[snafu]

still a work in progress. it's taken a day or two to build. i started by drawing something up on a napkin last weekend. (all pics - 56k warning)
1) shows t-nut and bolts. each 1/2 bb ply platform is support by 1x3 d.fir framework and bolted to the main vertical structural elements.
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...sh/stand_2.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/stand_10.jpg

2) other pics
i'm starting on a 'face frame' to go around the carcass (two side members shown). i'll use pocket holes to create the frame which will have members running along the two sides and across each platform. there will also be two additional vertical structural member, 1x4s, that run up the back (not shown). the second level which holds the second tank is held to the vertical structures with the 1/4" bolts, but it also has (not easy to see) additional vertical members in compression at the corners that also distribute the load to the lower platform. the bottom cabinet will be fully enclosed (i.e., inset doors).
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...sh/stand_1.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...sh/stand_6.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...sh/stand_5.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...sh/stand_9.jpg

update: 4/11
i had a little time today so put the frame together.
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...stand_10-1.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/stand_11.jpg

having thought about it some, i think the cheapest way to build it would be to nail a bunch of 2x4s together for the carcass and buy some good quality, thin (and therefore cheap) b.b ply to enclose it. that would make it really strong, yet look good.

[customdrumfinishes]

nice stand snafu!


i finally got it built and put a coat of primer on it nice and thick to cover the osb well.

list of materials
7- 2x4 8' 15.00
1 sheet osb 5.50
30 deck screws 4.50
paint free
1-large base cap moulding around edge-free

stand is 38 wide 24 deep 51 tall
figured id go with 3 10g on 2nd shelf and 20g on top,bottom shelf is for storage.
will probably put 3 more 10 on top later when i need the room. made it alot shorter so i could reach the top tank without a ladder lol.

heres some pics, osb will be smooth enough after another 2 coats of paint. im putting the roll slip pad stuff under the tanks so it will help hide the ugly osb some to lol.
hopefully ill get it done tomorrow!

[customdrumfinishes]

got it sanded,caulked and 1st coat of bronze semi gloss paint today, will have it done tomorrow finally finally.
i know people hate osb board but it looks fine with paint on it and alot cheaper than plywood.

[snafu]

customdrumfinishes, very nice stand. i finished mine a couple weeks ago, so i thought i'd post a couple pics. i went way over my budget on the marine varnish and a good brush. the pics are after lots of sanding and four coats of varnish. i've already set it up with tanks and equipment and transferred my fish to them (Nematobrycon amphiloxus - top tank, Nematobrycon lacortei - bottom tank). anyway, here's some pics of stand only (all pics - 56k warning)...

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/IMG_0058.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/IMG_0048.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/IMG_0053.jpg
http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/u...h/IMG_0044.jpg