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10/09/2017, 08:12 AM | #1 |
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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 |
10/09/2017, 08:20 AM | #2 |
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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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__________________ 90 gallon, Kessil AP700, 2x MP40s, Apex, Trigger34 Variety of fish and RBTAs; Coral-curious... |
10/09/2017, 08:23 AM | #3 |
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10/09/2017, 08:38 AM | #4 |
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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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10/09/2017, 09:10 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
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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10/09/2017, 09:13 AM | #6 |
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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! |
10/09/2017, 09:41 AM | #7 |
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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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10/09/2017, 09:45 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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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10/09/2017, 10:54 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361 |
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10/09/2017, 12:05 PM | #10 |
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Told ya... lol
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10/10/2017, 08:20 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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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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10/13/2017, 11:25 AM | #12 |
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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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10/13/2017, 11:30 AM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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10/13/2017, 12:17 PM | #14 |
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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 |
10/13/2017, 12:19 PM | #15 |
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10/13/2017, 01:09 PM | #16 |
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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 |
10/13/2017, 01:11 PM | #17 |
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10/13/2017, 05:51 PM | #18 |
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10/23/2017, 06:55 AM | #19 |
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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. |
10/23/2017, 06:56 AM | #20 |
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Here's the stand being stained with the wall cutout
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11/06/2017, 05:39 PM | #21 |
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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 |
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