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Supplies to build my own stand


CollegeNano

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CollegeNano

My grandfather has agreed to help me build a nice stand for my 12G aquapod if I purchase/bring all of the materials to his place. Is there a good place to read up on what I'll need. Any recommendations would be awesome and greatly appreciated! thanks :)

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funkyfish77

garf has a calculator for tank stands just put in the dimensions and it will tell u what u need and how long

to cut it. good luck on ur project. garf here

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CollegeNano
Wood, Wood Glue, Wood Screws is about as basic as it gets. 2 hinges and a knob if you want to put a door on the front

 

 

garf has a calculator for tank stands just put in the dimensions and it will tell u what u need and how long

to cut it. good luck on ur project.

 

thanks guys! My grandfather has built tons of furniture so I have a good mentor. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's done :)

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my stand is made of particle board (not sure the grade) and seems to work fine but i recommend at least ply. when particle board gets wet it becomes worthless.

 

on that note, polyurethane coats will help prevent water from soaking into your new stand.

 

good luck!

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thanks guys! My grandfather has built tons of furniture so I have a good mentor. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's done :)

 

It will be the same as any other furniture, basically. If he's done tons of furniture in the past, then he probably has everything needed. You'll just need the wood, and whatever accessories you might want (hinges, knobs/handles etc..)

 

If you're going with a fuge, make sire to dimension out the bottom properly for easy fit.

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CollegeNano
It will be the same as any other furniture, basically. If he's done tons of furniture in the past, then he probably has everything needed. You'll just need the wood, and whatever accessories you might want (hinges, knobs/handles etc..)

 

If you're going with a fuge, make sire to dimension out the bottom properly for easy fit.

 

Thanks daemon. He's being quite careful with this one cause he hasn't built in a while since he got older and sold his tools and since I think he's making it into a big deal now since he really wants to please me :P I used the recommended sites and his ideas and I think everythings gonna work out! I'll keep everyone posted hopefully :) Thanks!

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The Propagator

I fit were me I would use 1x4's. Its only 12 gallons so it will DEFINITELY hold.

Look at my 75g stand thread and follow that design. Its made so that only the legs carry the brunt of the weight and transfer it to the floor. Build it so that none of the wood is flat. build it so that all the wood stands on edge or on end. The compressive strength ( even in just a 1x4 ) is tremendous.

You don't have to use screws. Clamp it with wood glue 1st. let it set for 30 minutes. Remove the clamps and nail it. just as good. Remember guys we aren't going to be rocking these things like a porch swing :)

as long as you use barbed or ribbed finish nails your good.

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CollegeNano
I fit were me I would use 1x4's. Its only 12 gallons so it will DEFINITELY hold.

Look at my 75g stand thread and follow that design. Its made so that only the legs carry the brunt of the weight and transfer it to the floor. Build it so that none of the wood is flat. build it so that all the wood stands on edge or on end. The compressive strength ( even in just a 1x4 ) is tremendous.

You don't have to use screws. Clamp it with wood glue 1st. let it set for 30 minutes. Remove the clamps and nail it. just as good. Remember guys we aren't going to be rocking these things like a porch swing :)

as long as you use barbed or ribbed finish nails your good.

 

Hey prop. I actually read the thread when you started it to see what it was all about. Thanks for all the help, I'll definitely use it!

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The Propagator

Zaaalight !

 

:D

 

 

Picture this only as narrow and cube shaped as your tank...

 

basicstanddesign.jpg

 

No you'll probably want to extend every thing out a little to make a small platform on the bottom so it will stabilize the stand because your tank is so narrow. ( If you build it as narrow on all sides that is)

You know, so it will look like a column with pedestals on both ends.

Mention that to your Grandfather and I am sure he could explain it to you better then I can. :D

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Propagator-

 

What would be the ideal way to connect the bottom frame (orange and blue)/top frame (red and yellow) to the middle section (purple and green)..?

 

My largest concern is connecting the purple sections to the top and bottom frames.

 

I'm using that model to build a stand for a 30g Finnex, hopefully!

thanks. -EvMiBo-

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Pocket holes, but those require special drilling jigs.

 

In Prop's pic, the green piece is what would be the easiest way to connect everything. It could actually be a 2x2 instead of a 2x4. Steel corner brackets could be used too, but you need to take precautions when using near SW ;)

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Pocket holes, but those require special drilling jigs.

 

In Prop's pic, the green piece is what would be the easiest way to connect everything. It could actually be a 2x2 instead of a 2x4. Steel corner brackets could be used too, but you need to take precautions when using near SW ;)

 

Thanks Daemon.

 

This was a huge help! :)

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CollegeNano

Thanks for all the help prop (and everyone else!). I seem to get the gist (sp?) Of what you are saying. The build is planned for July 18-20th. I'm excited! I'll be sure to take/post pics hopefully :)

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I recently built a stand for my AP12 using 2x4's for the frame and MDF for the top and bottom. The top and bottom pieces are the exact shape of the tank. I used a special jig to drill screw holes and attached the frame pieces with stainless square drive screws. Here's some pics (sorry for the camera phone shots)!

 

Btw...nice AP12 (I read your entire tank build)!

post-37260-1215584800_thumb.jpg

post-37260-1215584817_thumb.jpg

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The Propagator
Propagator-

 

What would be the ideal way to connect the bottom frame (orange and blue)/top frame (red and yellow) to the middle section (purple and green)..?

 

My largest concern is connecting the purple sections to the top and bottom frames.

 

I'm using that model to build a stand for a 30g Finnex, hopefully!

thanks. -EvMiBo-

 

I didnt use the entire length for the nail strip shown in the schetch that connects both box frames to the supports. I used rectangular cut offs. I glued them and clamped them then nailed them in place. You can see them here in the corner of the stand. They are on all 4 corners. The reason they do not run flush with the top or the bottom is because they have one job only. Stabilization from side to side. The legs and box fram rest directly on each other and transfer the weight them selves. Its MUCH stronger that way.

 

75gallonstand2008125.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...
CollegeNano
I recently built a stand for my AP12 using 2x4's for the frame and MDF for the top and bottom. The top and bottom pieces are the exact shape of the tank. I used a special jig to drill screw holes and attached the frame pieces with stainless square drive screws. Here's some pics (sorry for the camera phone shots)!

 

Btw...nice AP12 (I read your entire tank build)!

 

Thanks alot!

 

I just finished the final coat of poly on the stand yesterday (I chose to paint it since I used pine). I'll have some pics up shortly. Thank you everyone for all of the help :)

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CollegeNano

Pictures!

Building the base and top

P7180071.jpg

 

cutting

P7180075.jpg

 

starting to look like something@!

P7180082.jpg

 

Supports

P7180084.jpg

 

Shelving

P7190092.jpg

P7190096.jpg

 

Heading home (it barely fit!)

P7200097.jpg

 

Painted and complete, yet to be allowed in the house because of poly smell :P

P7260099.jpg

 

P7260101.jpg

 

It's about 34 inches tall, 24 wide, and 16 deep

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CollegeNano
looks good! just wondering why didnt you build the frame first before adding plywood skins?

 

That was how my grandfather thought we should do it. I don't think it made a difference if we built the side supports before adding the plywood or not. We just kinda added the parts as they were cut :P

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disaster999
That was how my grandfather thought we should do it. I don't think it made a difference if we built the side supports before adding the plywood or not. We just kinda added the parts as they were cut :P

 

haha..ic. looks good either way. i recently finished building a cabinet for my tank as well. the plywood is the structural part of my cabinet, used solid maple to reinforce the top and bottom piece. solid as a rock.

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I think doing it that way makes sure the outside skin is flat. if you put the support first and it was off even a little it would hold the skin out.

 

Any idea of what you spent on this, just for an idea for others.

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CollegeNano
I think doing it that way makes sure the outside skin is flat. if you put the support first and it was off even a little it would hold the skin out.

 

Any idea of what you spent on this, just for an idea for others.

 

 

Well my grandfather had most of the small stuff that adds up (glue, nails, screws) and all the equipment thank god! I bought about 5 maple 1x3's, 1 piece of maple plywood, 2 hinges and 1 knob. 4 cans of primer/spray paint, and one can of polyurethane. The wood supplies added up to about $32 I beleive (grandfather bought them and told me that was the cost) and the hinges and knob were around $5. The paint and poly were about $30 all together from wal-mart. I like a lot of coats so I did two of primer, two of paint, and three of poly, meaning I bought more than most people probably needed (guess). All in all no more than $70 out of my pocket I think.

 

Take note that this is all guesstimated and not taken from receipts.

 

Of course if the economist in you kicks in then you would think I missed a day of work and spent $100 in gas so I really spent...well that doesn't matter :P

 

 

 

looks great! that stand is more than enough for an ap12! lets see the stand & tank together...

 

I want to bring the tank inside so badly! My mom thinks it still smells like polyurethane and said I have to wait till this weekend to bring it in. She's the boss while I'm at her house hah. I'll definitely update with a picture though when that time comes :)

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thanks, always good when someone has an idea going into something. Oh and is the day off work an add or deduct :)

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