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View Full Version : Feelings toward a metal stand?

Maximus
11/27/2016, 03:19 PM
Hey guys what do you feel about a metal stand that is completely open without doors? I'm considering going this route as it would be a change from all my past tanks with wood cabinets. Please give me your opinion on a totally open stand. Thanks!
FishyBeaner
11/27/2016, 03:25 PM
All of mine, with the exception of my 45g, have been open. This is the one I'm currently working on but I will cover this one because we have 2 cats and a dog now


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161127/8569fcf02d107f55c9737f97467c492e.jpg


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m0nkie
11/27/2016, 04:00 PM
Takes more work/money to look clean with matching colors. But worth it if you do it right
organism
11/27/2016, 04:15 PM
I put magnetic vinyl panels on my open metal stand to lower the evaporation since the house was getting all kinds of humid, looks pretty good and easy to access.
Maximus
11/27/2016, 04:17 PM
All of mine, with the exception of my 45g, have been open. This is the one I'm currently working on but I will cover this one because we have 2 cats and a dog now


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161127/8569fcf02d107f55c9737f97467c492e.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, nice equipment! Is that a dreambox?
Maximus
11/27/2016, 04:19 PM
I put magnetic vinyl panels on my open metal stand to lower the evaporation since the house was getting all kinds of humid, looks pretty good and easy to access.

Do you have a pic of this? Thanks.
Maximus
11/27/2016, 04:20 PM
Takes more work/money to look clean with matching colors. But worth it if you do it right

I hear ya. I plan on using some nice colored pvc in the system.
Maximus
11/27/2016, 04:21 PM
I'm just trying to figure out where you would put the Apex and other plugs in an open stand without seeing all the cords.
FishyBeaner
11/27/2016, 04:41 PM
Wow, nice equipment! Is that a dreambox?



Nope. Advanced Acrylics


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steelersfan
11/27/2016, 07:15 PM
This is the custom stand for my Elos 160XL. I can leave it open, or I can cover the front with detachable solid acrylic panels held up by magnets. The two side panels are held up by magnets as well.
laverda
11/27/2016, 07:44 PM
I love mine.
Maximus
11/27/2016, 11:05 PM
This is the custom stand for my Elos 160XL. I can leave it open, or I can cover the front with detachable solid acrylic panels held up by magnets. The two side panels are held up by magnets as well.

Love the panel with Neptune(might be another controller?) and Ecotech gear! That was one issue I was concerned with. Thanks for the idea.
Maximus
11/27/2016, 11:13 PM
I love mine.

Any pics of it? Thanks!
gcarroll
11/27/2016, 11:14 PM
Wow, nice equipment! Is that a dreambox?
Heck no! That's a "Realitybox" :lolspin:
Maximus
11/27/2016, 11:18 PM
Heck no! That's a "Realitybox" :lolspin:

Hahaha!! Love it!!
gcarroll
11/27/2016, 11:21 PM
You didn't see them at RAP? He had a bunch of them there. We even raffled one off!
Maximus
11/27/2016, 11:48 PM
I must have missed him. I was in a lot of back pain at RAP but thought I saw all the vendors. Damn! I even missed All Delight!! Never even knew he was there!
gcarroll
11/27/2016, 11:57 PM
I must have missed him. I was in a lot of back pain at RAP but thought I saw all the vendors. Damn! I even missed All Delight!! Never even knew he was there!Sorry to hear that. I was however, glad to see you guys made the trip down!!!
Maximus
11/27/2016, 11:59 PM
Thanks Greg! RAP is definitely my favorite reef show! Nothing compares.
The REeFFers
11/28/2016, 02:08 AM
once you have an open sump design, you will never go back. It makes everything so much easier. Just do more planing to keep the set up clean and the look can be jaw dropping.... i like it more than my reef sometimes.
Maximus
11/28/2016, 02:21 AM
once you have an open sump design, you will never go back. It makes everything so much easier. Just do more planing to keep the set up clean and the look can be jaw dropping.... i like it more than my reef sometimes.

You have a good point. I ordered some nice looking gear from Synergy (sump and 10g ato in "atomic green", and I think it will look awesome exposed. I am slowly but surely getting "acclimated" to the idea!!
fixmgood
11/28/2016, 10:21 AM
Two drawbacks to an open stand,you have to keep it neat and tidy and your other half can see all the new stuff that you never bought,just appeared out of the thin blue.
FishyBeaner
11/28/2016, 12:43 PM
Two drawbacks to an open stand,you have to keep it neat and tidy and your other half can see all the new stuff that you never bought,just appeared out of the thin blue.



Haha never thought of that


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bobafet1
11/28/2016, 05:37 PM
I'm prefer a nice piece of furniture to showcase the tank. I've seen a ton of open stands but that's because I believe everyone jumped on the "metal stand" bandwagon without giving much thought on how to skin it hence their stand looking "unfinished". Metal stands, in my opinion, are overkill and prone to rust.
laverda
11/28/2016, 07:36 PM
Metal stands may be over kill, however it sure is nice to have way more room for a sump and other equipment.
The wood stand on my last tank was a big hindrance. While it was actually a little larger them the steal one, I could only get a very small 32 gallon sump in it. It was very hard to work on anything inside the stand. I have a 70 gallon sump now that I can easily access and plenty of room for other equipment. I will post a pick soon
m0nkie
11/28/2016, 07:47 PM
I painted my wall so you can't really see the wires.. the APEX will go into an acrylic box near the tank under a tablet display. The wiring will all go into the wall so they are hidden too.

still work in progress
http://i.imgur.com/WfM9OlK.jpg
Jamie1210
11/29/2016, 09:28 AM
Nah, I prefer having equipment hidden behind doors. Looks too busy otherwise. I want the focal point being my reef, not the stuff underneath. Besides, it's an additional area that must be kept spotless, tidy, wiped and organized--effort that I would rather devote to the display.

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bobafet1
11/30/2016, 02:15 AM
Metal stands may be over kill, however it sure is nice to have way more room for a sump and other equipment.
The wood stand on my last tank was a big hindrance. While it was actually a little larger them the steal one, I could only get a very small 32 gallon sump in it. It was very hard to work on anything inside the stand. I have a 70 gallon sump now that I can easily access and plenty of room for other equipment. I will post a pick soon

That's because 98% of wood stands produced aren't properly engineered for space and strength. Most stands are made of MDF or pine, which are very cheap/soft materials to work with. In most cases the doors are small and the back panel isn't removable for larger sumps.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against steel. I just don't like the way it looks. I do remember seeing someone insert wood doors on a steel stand and that came out alright.
bobafet1
11/30/2016, 02:17 AM
Nah, I prefer having equipment hidden behind doors. Looks too busy otherwise. I want the focal point being my reef, not the stuff underneath. Besides, it's an additional area that must be kept spotless, tidy, wiped and organized--effort that I would rather devote to the display.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

yeah, what Jamie said.
laverda
12/03/2016, 03:48 PM
That's because 98% of wood stands produced aren't properly engineered for space and strength. Most stands are made of MDF or pine, which are very cheap/soft materials to work with. In most cases the doors are small and the back panel isn't removable for larger sumps. .
I agree with although my wood stand was plywood and oak, with no MDF. It was not designed with a sump in mind.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against steel. I just don't like the way it looks. I do remember seeing someone insert wood doors on a steel stand and that came out alright.[/QUOTE]
That is my plan. Nothing says the steel has to show at all.