DIY stand architecture

[magnosis]

So... I have to rethink my stand architecture.
First mistake was that I didn't account for the CO2 bottle and the way I had cut the 2x4", the bottle couldn't be fit inside the stand 

One option to open up the door space, is to lay the bottom 2x4 flat instead of standing upright (as in, the wide side laying flat on the ground).

Is this a bad idea ? Actually, I'm thinking the weight will be distributed over an even bigger surface that way...

I'll post a pic or make a drawing if this is unclear.

[magnosis]

Someone at Réno Dépôt in Hull suggested I build my aquarium stand out of glass (over a stained wood frame).

"Glass ? Are you sure ? You know I want to build a stand, not a tank..."

"Yes, we've already built a few glass stands for our customers"


Was he referring to you ? 
I'm very curious to see what that looks like.  If you have a glass-made stand, please post a picture

[fischkopp]

One option to open up the door space, is to lay the bottom 2x4 flat instead of standing upright (as in, the wide side laying flat on the ground).
Is this a bad idea ? Actually, I'm thinking the weight will be distributed over an even bigger surface that way...

Yup. Bad idea. The CO2 inside the bottle is in liquid state. Laying the the bottle flat on the ground would mean that it runs out in this form. The bottle has to stand upright.

Glass aquariums are fragile enough. I would rely on well proven wood and/or metal structures. But you could consider glass for doors or panels to finish the stand nicely.

[jetstream]

aquarium stand out of glass (over a stained wood frame).

Maybe the person means a 36"-48" thick glass panel over a stained wood frame depends on the size of the tank! 

[Toss]

I have 25gal hex tank on glass stand


[attachment deleted by admin]

[magnosis]

Yup. Bad idea. The CO2 inside the bottle is in liquid state. Laying the the bottle flat on the ground would mean that it runs out in this form. The bottle has to stand upright.

Glass aquariums are fragile enough. I would rely on well proven wood and/or metal structures. But you could consider glass for doors or panels to finish the stand nicely.

Sorry, I guess it wasn't quite clear what I meant.  It's the bottom part of the 2x4" frame I want to lay flat, not the CO2 bottle.  So the bottom frame will be 2" high instead of 4" high which makes the door opening 2" bigger just enough to fit the CO2 bottle (upright) through the door.

@toss: that's pretty neat !!  It's what that employee referred to, metal or wood frame with glass panels.  The glass isn't holding any weight but it's own, though it has to be thick enough to be child-proof (I can already see my little guy smashing his toys against it)

[fischkopp]

Nah, seems pretty clear now, guess I shouldn't be online past 12am ... 

[magnosis]

Excuse-me for diverging from the OP a little but...

It's taking me a while to build the stand.  The painting alone is setting me back almost a week.

In the meantime, I have about 100 plants living in buckets and a baby's bath tub, and they aren't doing too well.  I was hoping to just refill my tank temporarily, put the filter back on it, and at least my plants can have a safe life while I'm building the stand.

Is it about right that a 59g filled tank (just water and plants) will weight in excess of 680 lbs ?
I wanted to put the tank on this shelf, but it's only rated at 500lbs per shelf (and that's the most heavy duty shelving unit I could find)

What do you think ?  Risky business ?

[magnosis]

^ I'll just put 2 of those units units side-by-side and put the aquarium in the middle to distribute the weight across both units, that should do it.  If it doesn't, well I'm in trouble 

[Malyon18]

We have those shelves in our heavy machinery shop and they do hold lots of weight, not sure if I would be willing to put my aquarium on them though, it may be risky business but I may be wrong. Could you not just leave it on the floor and fill it up since it will only be temporary (I have no idea about planted tanks so not sure if it has to be above your co2 tank or what not)

[RossW]

Is it an option to keep the aquarium on the floor till your stand is ready?

[magnosis]

Is it an option to keep the aquarium on the floor till your stand is ready?

I guess so   I was worried about the cat dipping its paws in the tank, but shelves aren't going to help against that.

[Toss]

+1 on the floor....or on top of washer and dryer, close to faucet.