Unique DIY stand plans

[vtminter]

I want to build a stand for a 75gal or 90gal tank. I want to be able to put a 55gal sump/refugium in the stand though. Does anyone have any plans for a stand like this.

[trb]

Since a 55 is about 12" wide, and the 75 & 90 are 18", you should be able to design a stand with four 2x4 vertical support in the corners, with the 4" part along the back and front of the tank. Maybe add some center 2x4s too along the front & back. Then you can have a full 13" or wider opening on the sides so you can slide the sump into the stand from the sides. Make the top frame with the lumber meeting on top of the 2x4s, two 18" pieces and two 45" pieces. Skin all the sides in plywood, and cut out the opening(s) for the sides.

[vtminter]

Thanks. It's not really the width that I was worried about. I am more worried about the length being a problem because the length of the display tank would be the same as the sump.

[trb]

Well, as long as you build the frame at least 48" long on the inside, and have 3/4" plywood on the outside of the frame and the door on one side with a 13" x 23" or so opening, you should have at least 48-3/4" clearance inside the stand. The overall stand dimensions would be about 49-1/2" long

Have you looked at the DIY stand Template and Calculator?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

To make yours work, I would have the purple supports all along the long ends, maybe two on each corner, side by side, and not on the ends of the stand. The yellow boards would be longer (18"), and the red boards would be shorter,(48"-3"= 45") to still make the top a 18"x48" rectangle.

Hope you can figure it out so it will work for you. I wanted to do something similar, but with a 40 breeder and a 60 gal, but both have the exact same footprint. No way to put direct support under the top tank if both are the same exact size.

Good luck!

[vtminter]

Thanks a lot! I think I will be able to make it work.