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Unread 10/09/2017, 08:12 AM   #1
ozorowsky
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340 Gallon Acrylic against wall w/ window build

Hello all,

I started this in the DIY section, but I was advised this may be a better spot to have this post.

I purchased a 72x30x36 acrylic aquarium which I'm working on building a stand for.

Currently the aquarium is on top of my stand on my patio. My patio isn't perfectly level for water run off. But the stand I built is level. So I put the tank on the stand, and filled it with water slowly to test out the stand. Overall the stand has held up perfectly fine over night. What I don't like is if I stand in front/behind the tank and shake it the stand seems to shake. I'm attaching pictures to try to show how I built the stand and you can see the video below of the stand swaying. Its not falling over, but I don't like the sway.

Is there anything I can stiffen up more to eliminate this side to side sway?

https://youtu.be/CKVHuxUScSk


Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20171008_152125.jpg (56.5 KB, 95 views)
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File Type: jpg 20171008_230056.jpg (40.0 KB, 77 views)
File Type: jpg 20171008_230106.jpg (46.5 KB, 72 views)
File Type: jpg 20171008_230115.jpg (44.4 KB, 77 views)
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Unread 10/09/2017, 08:20 AM   #2
MarylandTang
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If you've got sway, and/or it isn't perfectly level (because it can sway) -- you're asking for a big wet mess. The pressure of a 300+ gallon tank on the sides is pretty massive.

Did you use screws or nails?


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Unread 10/09/2017, 08:23 AM   #3
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarylandTang View Post
If you've got sway, and/or it isn't perfectly level (because it can sway) -- you're asking for a big wet mess. The pressure of a 300+ gallon tank on the sides is pretty massive.

Did you use screws or nails?
I used screws


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Unread 10/09/2017, 08:38 AM   #4
McPuff
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My hope is that the stand is a little bit untrue, or just not sitting completely flush on the patio. See if you can find any points where the stand is not in complete contact with the ground, then shim them. The stand looks pretty darn solid to me so I would not guess that it's shifting at all (i.e., the pieces actually moving). Is the tank sitting perfectly flush with the stand?


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Unread 10/09/2017, 09:10 AM   #5
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McPuff View Post
My hope is that the stand is a little bit untrue, or just not sitting completely flush on the patio. See if you can find any points where the stand is not in complete contact with the ground, then shim them. The stand looks pretty darn solid to me so I would not guess that it's shifting at all (i.e., the pieces actually moving). Is the tank sitting perfectly flush with the stand?
Tank is perfectly flush with the stand, yes. Its sitting on white wood I believe its called; looks like particle board to me.

I just went outside with a piece of paper, and there are definitely some areas that the paper will go under the bottom board and some it will not. This is very likely due to the concrete of my patio.

So you guys think once I move it inside it will be solid? is it worth all the effort and water expense of moving it inside to test then back outside to finish the build? Or can I just shim it when all said and done?

Attaching pics to show the level


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File Type: jpg 20171009_105042.jpg (42.4 KB, 51 views)
File Type: jpg 20171009_105109.jpg (57.1 KB, 75 views)
File Type: jpg 20171009_105126.jpg (37.3 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg 20171009_105133.jpg (58.9 KB, 69 views)
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Unread 10/09/2017, 09:13 AM   #6
ozorowsky
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Also if you need pics of any area of my stand please let me know. Is there anywhere else you think I should strengthen this?

Thanks again for your time!


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Unread 10/09/2017, 09:41 AM   #7
James404
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The stand looks like you built using rocketengineers template or similar? Racking should not be an issue with that design IMO.

More than likely it's just your patio out of level. Set it up in it's final location and shim it level on the floor.

I would also put a foam sheet between the tank and the stand.


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Unread 10/09/2017, 09:45 AM   #8
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James404 View Post
The stand looks like you built using rocketengineers template or similar? Racking should not be an issue with that design IMO.

More than likely it's just your patio out of level. Set it up in it's final location and shim it level on the floor.

I would also put a foam sheet between the tank and the stand.
Should I still do foam with acrylic? What kind of foam specifically?

Do you have a link to rocket engineer's template? I looked up some youtube videos and just built my stand to how I think would fit best.

Thanks!


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Unread 10/09/2017, 10:54 AM   #9
James404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ozorowsky View Post
Should I still do foam with acrylic? What kind of foam specifically?

Do you have a link to rocket engineer's template? I looked up some youtube videos and just built my stand to how I think would fit best.

Thanks!
The stand thread is located here:


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


Most people use sheathing or foam insulation, yoga mats I've seen as well. You can always check with your tank manufacturer, see what they recommend.




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Unread 10/09/2017, 12:05 PM   #10
ReefMaster48
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Told ya... lol


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Unread 10/10/2017, 08:20 AM   #11
ca1ore
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ozorowsky View Post
Should I still do foam with acrylic? What kind of foam specifically?
I'm using the 1" thick pink rigid foam that you can buy at HD. Tank maker said that or the white 'open' pore stuff that the tank was shipped with.


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Unread 10/13/2017, 11:25 AM   #12
Jasanden
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I had a tank just like that except it was glass. The sway was simply width to height ratio in my case. It took some effort to sway and it was minimal but I ended up securing it to the wall behind the tank for peace of mind.. good luck rockscaping and cleaning it. I loved the look but ended up parting ways with it because of the height. Good luck


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Unread 10/13/2017, 11:30 AM   #13
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasanden View Post
I had a tank just like that except it was glass. The sway was simply width to height ratio in my case. It took some effort to sway and it was minimal but I ended up securing it to the wall behind the tank for peace of mind.. good luck rockscaping and cleaning it. I loved the look but ended up parting ways with it because of the height. Good luck
What was wrong with the height?


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Unread 10/13/2017, 12:17 PM   #14
ca1ore
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Did you find those black suction cups to work on acrylic? Where did you get them from?


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Simon

Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones!

Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs
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Unread 10/13/2017, 12:19 PM   #15
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ca1ore View Post
Did you find those black suction cups to work on acrylic? Where did you get them from?
I did got from amazon


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Unread 10/13/2017, 01:09 PM   #16
ca1ore
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I guess they really do sell everything. Thanks.


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Simon

Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones!

Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs
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Unread 10/13/2017, 01:11 PM   #17
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ca1ore View Post
I guess they really do sell everything. Thanks.
Welcome

Here's link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


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Unread 10/13/2017, 05:51 PM   #18
lionfish300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ozorowsky View Post
What was wrong with the height?
What he mean is the height is not easy to do maintainance. Cleaning the sand, picking up a frag from sand bed is an effort. Also lighting to reach to bottom


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Unread 10/23/2017, 06:55 AM   #19
ozorowsky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Techhnyne View Post
Any updates of this?
Hey there!

Yes; so I place more cross beams connecting the verticle braces and that seems to have eliminated the little sway I have had.

I also cut the opening in my wall and begun to frame it out.

Hoping to have the stand/tank in place in the next few days. Only hold up right now is I'm staining it. I haven't done a great job documenting this but here are some updated pictures of what I do have.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20171017_211231.jpg (36.6 KB, 18 views)
File Type: jpg 20171017_211239.jpg (49.3 KB, 16 views)
File Type: jpg 20171020_085336.jpg (51.5 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg 20171020_085353.jpg (54.2 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg 20171020_085658.jpg (56.7 KB, 15 views)
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Unread 10/23/2017, 06:56 AM   #20
ozorowsky
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Here's the stand being stained with the wall cutout


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File Type: jpg 20171022_122124.jpg (60.4 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg 20171022_155414.jpg (30.7 KB, 26 views)
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Unread 11/06/2017, 05:39 PM   #21
ozorowsky
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Here's some updates on my build:

I got water in the tank, rock, tank is successfully cycling. Still need to build the doors for the stand/canopy


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Tank 1.jpg (57.3 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg Tank 2.jpg (37.9 KB, 26 views)
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