3 Tank Stand?

[Afreakin]

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to build a stand that holds a 125 on the top and 2 50 breeders on the bottom
I want to build it out of 2 x 4 or 4 x 4. It doesn't have to be pretty, just functional and solid (safe).

[fischfan13]

Home Depot carries a metal stand that will do just that, its made by ZBeam.

[Afreakin]

Is it 6' and does it have a bottom? Most important, how much is it?$?$?$?$?$?$?

[fischfan13]

6'.
$140.
It comes with pressed wood, but I used plywood.
For the 125g I would used Birch, which would cost you about $37.
So figure after all is said and done, about $200

[wayne]

What are you doing with all these tanks? Starting a breeding progrom for pure red anni?

[AlishanAS]

What are you doing with all these tanks? Starting a breeding progrom for pure red anni?

Why not? We know that the Malawi fish we keep are hybrids. :shocked:

[Afreakin]

You Guys are Tooooooo funny

All Malawis are hybrids :erm::erm: lol

[fischfan13]

I'm sorry guys, but I am not allowed to join in on the fun.:disturbed:

I received word the other day from the Proprietor of Red Anni's R Us. He told me that if I speak openly about these fish that he would get his "attoreny" after me.:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Afreakin]

Wayne I have to have a 6 footer for my new FOAI Halembe :a-okhand::partay::partay: And my 50 breeders will go under. Just enjoying the madness

[Artie]

I'm sorry guys, but I am not allowed to join in on the fun.:disturbed:

I received word the other day from the Proprietor of Red Anni's R Us. He told me that if I speak openly about these fish that he would get his "attoreny" after me.:rofl::rofl::rofl:

LMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nick a]

ROFLMAO! You guys are just jealous you don't have 30+ years of in-depth experience and personal connections to all the big shots in the hobby!

Afrkn--shoot me the REAL dimensions of the tanks and what elevation you'd like the two rows to be at & i'll try to sketch an idea up tomorrow.

[Afreakin]

Spoke to Zallyn tonight and he gave me a link that looks easy and cheeeeeeeeeep to make.

The Dims are going to be standard.

125 g = 72 x 18 foot print

2 x 50 g breeders = 36 x 18 foot print

28" high stand would be ideal.

If you are up to it I'd like to see what you have in mind Nick, Thanks

[nick a]

I really like the notch method. Once you cut the notches, everything else is easy to put together. I realize this is higher than you described you'd like, but.......

The two 16.5" cross members at the ends of the 125 are 1/2 is away from the notched verticals--I would just use scrap lumber to fill that gap. I like to REALLY measure the trim of each particular tank to avoid OH!, $#!+ moments and like to leave just a little extra wiggle room. I also recognize that 2X lumber corners are not deadnuts squared out & like to back of the corners a bit so the bottom trim sits on the flats.

The horizontals that sit in the notches can just be regular wood/deck screwed (notches are carying the load) but I like to use lag screws or drill thru holes & bolt the where the 16.5" ers meet the verticals.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5081/afrknjm7.jpg

[nick a]

Just thought about this; I use that style when i can anchor into the studwall--I'd add some plywood to the back or some diagonal supports if I couldn't tie into the wall......

[phillyofish]

Nice detailed sketch

[phillyofish]

does anyone have stands that are larger at the base so it cascades top to bottom to minimize height?


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[phillyofish]

it looked different when i drew it first. I guess the smaller tanks on top and the larger ones on the bottom.

[Spooky_Fish]

Home Depot carries a metal stand that will do just that, its made by ZBeam.

I use that rack to hold two 125's, it's a good rack but needs to be secured to the wall or ceiling to prevent it from swaying. I just saw the identical rack in BLACK at Lowes for the same price. The black looks much better than the grey I got from HD.

I think Nick's "notch" or "dado" design is the strongest. His design is almost identical to the design of my racks and is cheaper than it is strong...and it's insanely strong. My 33-tank racks cost about $125 each.

You don't need lag screws through the dado joints, all the force is supported by the wood and there are no sheering forces. I know I'm going to get heat for this, but gluing the joint with carpenters glue is the strongest solution (and really cheap). Lag bolts or screws will allow the joints to sway unless the joints are perfect, and probably even if they are perfect. The glue will lock it like concrete once it's dry. All my joints are glued and a single screw holds the joint tight until the glue dries. I leave the screw in for cosmetic reasons and overkill is good. You could just use clamps until the glue dries, but that many clamps cost a lot more than the screws.

Here's a pic of the racks, you can see the dado well at the end (unpainted cut end). The uprights are 2x4's and the horizontals are 2x3's
http://cichlidkeepers.com/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=264

[Spooky_Fish]

This pic better shows the dados:
http://cichlidkeepers.com/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=147

[zallyn]

Thats pretty much what we came with for diamensions Nick but discussed double 2x4 verticle members and doubled up 2x6 horizontal members on the top. Maybe some sheathing on the bach to stop racking but I doubt it will be needed.

Screws........and glue IMO are a must.


Spooky, nice racks. Question ? If a tank in the middle of the row needs to be removed would you be able to do so without moving the tanks on the side of it ?


Z

[Spooky_Fish]

If a tank in the middle of the row needs to be removed would you be able to do so without moving the tanks on the side of it ?
Z
Yup, there is about 1/4" of play on either side of the tanks so they are easy to remove and replace. The only issue is the drain hose, if you pull it from the drain pipe it will be a little tricky to get it back in once the bottom rows are filled.

You definitely want to leave a little extra room on either side of the tanks. If the fit is too tight, you can only get the tank in if you keep it completely straight...a real PIA. Also, if it's even slightly out of square, the tank won't fit unless you chisel grooves for the plastic trim (been there, done that).

[wayne]

Nice setup, spooky. But where is the shiny medal pole you promised Artie - I heard he was cumming up for see ya in Feb?

[Artie]

Wayne, you shoud've used spell check. Metal poll !!!! oops pole :colrface:

[themadhap]

Artie i made it here what you have legal issues LOL