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View Full Version : Common outer tank frame dimensions


Shawn O
10/25/2014, 07:11 AM
Planning on building my stand before I buy the tank, need to know how much larger than the glass the average tank frame is. I'm leaning towards a marineland 120 Extra High. It's listed as 60"Lx18Wx26"T. Would it be safe to estimate 1/2" larger than the glass for the frame? I figure I want to leave 1/8" extra outside of the frame all around so I may need to make the stand 3/4" larger than the tank. Does this sound correct?

NanoReefWanabe
10/26/2014, 07:53 AM
the plastic is about 3/16" thick on a tank that large..i think you will be good leaving 3/4" overall larger…if it comes down to it you could always trim out the gap with quarter round…

personally i would not build the stand without the tank, or at least going to a store and measuring a couple first..

GQuinn
10/26/2014, 08:07 AM
personally i would not build the stand without the tank, or at least going to a store and measuring a couple first..

I agree with this. If this is not possible, then contact the manufacturer of the tank. I would think they could tell you.

Shawn O
10/26/2014, 05:08 PM
OK, thanks. Will do.

ca1ore
10/26/2014, 10:29 PM
I will tell you, for example, that the frame dimensions on my 265 are 1 1/2" longer and wider than the actual glass. Doubt that the 120 would be quite that much, but it might.

NanoReefWanabe
10/30/2014, 12:06 AM
I will tell you, for example, that the frame dimensions on my 265 are 1 1/2" longer and wider than the actual glass. Doubt that the 120 would be quite that much, but it might.

i am confused by this…are you saying the plastic used for your trim is 3/4" thick? making the tank dimensions 1.5" wider overall?

even 1/4" thick plastic seems like drastic overkill...

Shawn O
11/02/2014, 10:57 AM
I drew up a stand and canopy in Sketchup based on 3/4 larger than the published dimensions.
Sketchup Stand & Canopy (http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv113/JohnDoe_69/Tank%20Stand%20Sketchup/3ccf5856-347b-48fe-bd76-8bc2e7406b2b.jpg)

The link is to my photobucket. The last few pics have a wood texture. The inner frame will be made of poplar and 3/4" PT plywood, all of which will be painted with white epoxy paint. The outer frame will be of Red Oak and Red Oak plywood. The inner side of all doors will be painted with white epoxy paint. The canopy will be of all Red Oak with the inside painted with white epoxy paint. The window in the center door will be for a display refugium in the sump.

woodnaquanut
11/02/2014, 11:08 AM
PT ply? You mean pressure treated?

DON'T USE PT!

No advantages and possibility of tank death.

Shawn O
11/02/2014, 11:58 AM
It's going to be painted inside and out with epoxy to keep out moisture. I can do non-PT if it's an issue.

Shawn O
11/02/2014, 12:02 PM
First link is bad, here's a good one.
http://s675.photobucket.com/user/JohnDoe_69/slideshow/Tank%20Stand%20Sketchup

sleepydoc
11/02/2014, 02:00 PM
It's going to be painted inside and out with epoxy to keep out moisture. I can do non-PT if it's an issue.

Definitely non-pressure treated wood. Paint/seal whatever wood you get with varnish or your paint of choice. If you have your setup done correctly, there should never be enough moisture that pressure treated would make a difference, and putting all those toxins in that close a proximity to your tank is asking for problems.

Standard plywood is fine, stay away from MDF, however.

I just measured my standard 120 (24 x 24 x 48"), the glass is 48" and the frame is 48 ⅜", or an extra 3/16" on each side for the plastic frame, FWIW

Shawn O
11/04/2014, 09:04 AM
Will adjust stand or use extra trim, probably safer to fill with trim, will have to actually measure the tank. Will go to the LFS with a tape measure this weekend. Thanks for the info.