400 Gallon system startup....

[CamaroJWeed]

I just started setting up my 240 Starphire tank, most of the details are on my webpage...please feel free to comment, I am open to all of your input...Thanks

Jason

https://home.comcast.net/~camarojweed/240 Project.htm

 

[smcnally]

Looks nice. I know your forum name is because you have a camaro, and your name is J.Weed. But I laugh everytime I see it because it reminds me of my highschool days of camaros and weed...LOL

 

[nunofs]

240g... nice!

One comment about the stand... IMHO the construction looks a bit fragile for the weight of a 240g tank, especially because the top frame (which will hold most/all of the weight) is not directly above the corner posts, meaning you have all the weight of the tank being supported by the nails/screws that connect the frame to the posts... is that true, or is it just not possible to tell otherwise from the pics?

If that's the case, I would at the least add vertical supports between the top and bottom frames, making sure that all the weight that's put on the top frame is transferred directly to the floor via a wood post and not via nails/screws.

Nuno

 

[seasno]

Looks like an exciting project Jason...where did you pick up the starphire tank?

 

[jschiavi]

Yeah, I already have my next tank stocked... and I dont have it yet. Good job on the stand. I can immagine that things needs to be spot on with the level if youre using glass. You should check out the Regal Angel thread on RC if youre going to get one. Supposedly they are a PITA to take care of at first, made me seccond guess if im going to get one.

 

[CamaroJWeed]

Thanks Guys,

seasno: Picked up the tank from Lam Ly in Ct when he broke his tank down before heading off for a few months to do a job overseas.

Nuno: I plan in putting 3/4" ply on top today, the main studs run top to bottom (2 2x4s nailed together) but let me know if you think this puts too much shearing force on the nails that hold the lip to the main studs, I could add 2x4 support in the corners..now you got me thinking...Thanks

jschiavi: yeah, I know how you feel...I have done alot of reading on the Regal, they seem to be a PITA, but I always wonder about the people that post about them, what is their level of attention to how they do things??? Greg Shimmer and Scott Micheals both recommended this fish to me, and said that success and failure seems to be with the level of real care one gives to these fish and also where they come from (Red Sea being the best)...I guess in the end I can just hope for the best...he is eating well and seems to be enjoying some of the sponge that grows in my tank, and has been nipping at the meaty foods i have provided along with becoming very interested in the Nori...wish me luck with him...

Jason

 

[gordonzoo]

Good eye nuno. Top frame is NOT supported. Plywood attached on top may still sag and not distribute weight evenly. I would at least get angle iron or some type of corner metal braces to connect from underneath to support horizontal 2x4's. I would also use screws to secure these. Nice Project!!!
Rich

 

[nunofs]

let me know if you think this puts too much shearing force on the nails that hold the lip to the main studs, I could add 2x4 support in the corners

I think so, the way you currently have it all the weight will be supported by those nails... linking the top and bottom frames together with vertical posts should help a lot.

But that's just my untrained opinion... I hope Nate or someone else more knowledgeable about wood and designing stands will chime in with their views.

Nuno

 

[NateHanson]

Absolutely Nuno. I had the same reaction to seeing the stand. Nails really won't hold weight like that. I'd add another 2x4 between the top and bottom frames at the corners and at the middle posts too. That'll add a huge amount of strength. I personally wouldn't trust it otherwise.

Nate

 

[maurod]

Absolutely Nuno. I had the same reaction to seeing the stand. Nails really won't hold weight like that. I'd add another 2x4 between the top and bottom frames at the corners and at the middle posts too. That'll add a huge amount of strength. I personally wouldn't trust it otherwise.

Nate

I am just curious, what do you guys think of the stands from AGA ?

From my perspective, they put a lot of load on very thin vertical support members. Even their 210 stand has only 1x4s around the perimeter holding up the tank.

Nate, others? Opininons?

M.

 

[nunofs]

I am just curious, what do you guys think of the stands from AGA ?

This is what I think of AGA's stands:

I know they've been designed to hold the weight of the tanks they're supposed to hold, but I just couldn't trust mine... so I reinforced it with an internal frame... the top frame is connected to the outside of the stand (which supports most of the tank weight) via screws, and lays on top of vertical posts that go all the way to the floor (there are further supports underneath the bottom panel of the stand).

Nuno

 

[NateHanson]

I think they're fine if they're in good shape. The vertical 1" stock is strong enough in compression to hold the weight, IMO. (I'm using an unmodified AGA stand for my 65g). They're only stapled together though, so if things start to get loose, those little boards could get out of place, and then it would collapse like a cardboard box when you bend one of the sides.

Nate

I am just curious, what do you guys think of the stands from AGA ?

From my perspective, they put a lot of load on very thin vertical support members. Even their 210 stand has only 1x4s around the perimeter holding up the tank.

Nate, others? Opininons?

M.

 

[maurod]

I think they're fine if they're in good shape. The vertical 1" stock is strong enough in compression to hold the weight, IMO. (I'm using an unmodified AGA stand for my 65g). They're only stapled together though, so if things start to get loose, those little boards could get out of place, and then it would collapse like a cardboard box when you bend one of the sides.

Nate

In other words, they will not take getting bumped into regularly by me and my 2 65lb English Bulldogs

I think I will start looking at building a stand Now if I can only decide on a size

M.

 

[NateHanson]

I don't think bumping will be a problem. I'd be more concerned about transportation damage, or stress of moving them while loaded. For instance, if it were dropped on a corner while being carried, I expect that could loosen the stapled joints, causing the stand to be less rigid. Basically if it wiggles at all, then I wouldn't trust it. But I don't think it'll loosen up just sitting in your living room with a tank on top of it.

Nate

 

[CamaroJWeed]

Thanks guys for suggestion #1, I just got back with more 2x4's and am going down to add them now..I will post more pictures tonight...

Jason

 

[melana]

Jason,
I would love to see updated picture since I am thinking about building my own stand and I like your design.

Melana

 

[maurod]

Jason, sorry for the hijacking That stand looks like it will be elephant proof after you add those additional 2x4's
M.

 

[CamaroJWeed]

Bring on the elephant ...The 75 gallon sump is just in place for now, i will add an extended frame for that, and the 40 gallon refugium will go on its own stand so it can drain to the sump...the 55 gallon frag tank will go to the right of the refugium...well back down to add the plywood...

Thanks for the help thus far..Jason

 

[WildBill]

Just my 2 cents....

Looks much stronger now....a few extra bucks in framing and proper support for weight distribution may save a couple thousand if it ever were to collapse.

 

[BigSmokeShowJOE]

stands

camarojweed that stand will hold NO problem!! i build stands on the side . that stand 300+g if you wanted!!hear are some pic. of a stand i maid for sea creatures in revere. http://www.hostedimage.com/ag.php?fid=3846