120gal Stand Build
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badazztealcobra
New member
Looks good.... What glue did you end up using ??? I always use titebond 3, but I know other people use different glues....
I cant tell from the pictures, but are the inside 2x4's for the legs smaller than the stand ??? You don't want those nailer boards to touch the floor or top panel, they're just there to hold the outside boards that carry the load from the top rim, down those legs to the bottom rim....
View attachment 10892
I even used 1x4's for my current setup so the width wasn't too wide and I could slide a 40B in there...
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I cant tell from the pictures, but are the inside 2x4's for the legs smaller than the stand ??? You don't want those nailer boards to touch the floor or top panel, they're just there to hold the outside boards that carry the load from the top rim, down those legs to the bottom rim....
View attachment 10892
I even used 1x4's for my current setup so the width wasn't too wide and I could slide a 40B in there...
View attachment 10893
View attachment 10894
View attachment 10895
DB9181
New member
Thx Joe, I'll haveta get them out.
Doug, no glue (honestly slipped my mind) just LOTS of screws. The 1/2'' plywood also adds alot and is attached w/ 3 1/2'' screws going through 2 2x4s where possible.
I will also be placing a piece of 1/2'' plywood under the stand so that there is no damage to my wood laminate flooring and to ensure even load -plus another spot to shim if necessary
Doug, no glue (honestly slipped my mind) just LOTS of screws. The 1/2'' plywood also adds alot and is attached w/ 3 1/2'' screws going through 2 2x4s where possible.
I will also be placing a piece of 1/2'' plywood under the stand so that there is no damage to my wood laminate flooring and to ensure even load -plus another spot to shim if necessary
badazztealcobra
New member
You should be fine, just remember if you build another one to always use glue. The screws are there to hold things tight while the glue dries. The wood/wood bond with a proper glue is strong as can be and is actually stronger than the wood itself if memory serves....
badazztealcobra
New member
Sub enclosures for sure, then again I also run a beak of caulk on the seams after they're assembled too. But I'm just weird like that....
I always use wood glue anytime I'm attaching two pieces of lumber... just a habit Ive always been into, and its worth the extra pennies to know I'll always have a tight bond.
DB9181
New member
Well the stand/tank are coming along pretty nicely, yesterday consisted of several trips to Menards getting PVC fittings, tubing, cabinet doors, trim, stain, etc.
I made the final cuts on the front and side panels for the doors. For the front I went w/ 3 16”x22” pre-finished Oak Doors – they were pricey but I feel it will definitely be worth it. The two outer ones will be on hinges, the middle door will be on magnetic fasteners, so more of a removable panel.
On the front I will also be putting pre-finished Oak Trim. Here’s a picture of the trim laid out (it will go down the right side as well)
The side panels/doors are cut a bit taller, since they are on the sides and less noticeable I will be making my own doors/removal panels via plywood and magnetic fasteners.
I was able to sand, clean, pre-stain, and stain just about all the pieces (minus the backs of the doors and the trim).
Here is the front panel before the stain:
View attachment 11038
After the stain ‘red oak’:
View attachment 11039
With stained doors:
View attachment 11040
While the stain dried/set I worked on cutting/dry-fitting the PVC plumbing to the sump. Here’s where I ran into a bit of an issue. With a 55gal underneath and the front panel in place, I can BARELY get my arm up and into the 55gal because its so tall meaning that if I needed to do any cleaning/maintenance Its going to be extremely difficult. Alternatively, I can use a 40-Breeder tank (shown in the picture below) because it is shorter, but I’m losing 10-15 gallons of capacity (10% in the overall system). Also, with the 55gal I designed the stand so I could slide it in/out from the side panel – a 40-Breeder is wider, so Unless I make the front panel removable once its in there…its in there. However, If I just make the front panel removable (via screws) in the first place, I can still use the 55gal and if I need so get in there and do anything major, I just take the front plywood off.
Not sure if that made ANY sense, but here’s the stand w/ the 120gal tank on top (40-Breeder under) for a reference of the size of this beast
View attachment 11041
This is currently fitted for the 40-Breeder, prior to me figuring out how to make the front panel removable and still have the trim, etc how I want it. Since the 55gal is taller, I just need to make some slight changes. I ‘color coated’ the pipes –It’s a pretty simple system. Two 1.5” drains down to one side of the sump, and two .75” returns (fed off one pump). Both drains have individual ball valves and the return line has a ball valve on it as well. This way I can ‘fine-tune’/balance the system’s flow, as well as shut off all the lines if I need to do work/remove the sump.
View attachment 11042
Hopefully today I can get the 120g outside to test fill it and give it a final rinse. Then I will also spray-paint the back side of the tank (like I did w/ my 75g) – Couldn’t have gotten better timing on a nice day in the middle of Jan. I’ll also put the first coat of finish on all the pieces, and if I have time cut/stain the trim.
Looks like there should be no reason why this tank shouldn’t be up and running by this weekend
I made the final cuts on the front and side panels for the doors. For the front I went w/ 3 16”x22” pre-finished Oak Doors – they were pricey but I feel it will definitely be worth it. The two outer ones will be on hinges, the middle door will be on magnetic fasteners, so more of a removable panel.
On the front I will also be putting pre-finished Oak Trim. Here’s a picture of the trim laid out (it will go down the right side as well)
The side panels/doors are cut a bit taller, since they are on the sides and less noticeable I will be making my own doors/removal panels via plywood and magnetic fasteners.
I was able to sand, clean, pre-stain, and stain just about all the pieces (minus the backs of the doors and the trim).
Here is the front panel before the stain:
View attachment 11038
After the stain ‘red oak’:
View attachment 11039
With stained doors:
View attachment 11040
While the stain dried/set I worked on cutting/dry-fitting the PVC plumbing to the sump. Here’s where I ran into a bit of an issue. With a 55gal underneath and the front panel in place, I can BARELY get my arm up and into the 55gal because its so tall meaning that if I needed to do any cleaning/maintenance Its going to be extremely difficult. Alternatively, I can use a 40-Breeder tank (shown in the picture below) because it is shorter, but I’m losing 10-15 gallons of capacity (10% in the overall system). Also, with the 55gal I designed the stand so I could slide it in/out from the side panel – a 40-Breeder is wider, so Unless I make the front panel removable once its in there…its in there. However, If I just make the front panel removable (via screws) in the first place, I can still use the 55gal and if I need so get in there and do anything major, I just take the front plywood off.
Not sure if that made ANY sense, but here’s the stand w/ the 120gal tank on top (40-Breeder under) for a reference of the size of this beast
View attachment 11041
This is currently fitted for the 40-Breeder, prior to me figuring out how to make the front panel removable and still have the trim, etc how I want it. Since the 55gal is taller, I just need to make some slight changes. I ‘color coated’ the pipes –It’s a pretty simple system. Two 1.5” drains down to one side of the sump, and two .75” returns (fed off one pump). Both drains have individual ball valves and the return line has a ball valve on it as well. This way I can ‘fine-tune’/balance the system’s flow, as well as shut off all the lines if I need to do work/remove the sump.
View attachment 11042
Hopefully today I can get the 120g outside to test fill it and give it a final rinse. Then I will also spray-paint the back side of the tank (like I did w/ my 75g) – Couldn’t have gotten better timing on a nice day in the middle of Jan. I’ll also put the first coat of finish on all the pieces, and if I have time cut/stain the trim.
Looks like there should be no reason why this tank shouldn’t be up and running by this weekend
DB9181
New member
haha regardless, Id make the front panel removable w/ the 40B under incase I ever needed to get it out. Otherwise Id have to empty the entire DT -thats why i originally made the stand/legs wide enough to slide the 55g in/out. The stand is tall enough - lol it was my error when planning the front panel/doors for 'looks'. Its not hard for me to make it so I can take that entire front off.
DB9181
New member
dont slack on this like u did the 75...
Hey now... haha
I'm doing the transfer this weekend from 75g to 120g. Give it some time to settle the ALL livestock is moving on over from the 29g
DB9181
New member
obviously
The top panel (under the 120g) overhangs the front panel - The trim was going to cover the seam as well as all the screws, and I was just going to liquid-nail the trim on (so theres no finishing nails, etc). but i can just cheat the trim up to cover the seam but only glue it to the front panel.
The top panel (under the 120g) overhangs the front panel - The trim was going to cover the seam as well as all the screws, and I was just going to liquid-nail the trim on (so theres no finishing nails, etc). but i can just cheat the trim up to cover the seam but only glue it to the front panel.
gonebad395
Active member
router out a few holes in the stand and front panel just enough to set a few magnets in them bam removable pannel
DB9181
New member
im doing magnetic fasteners for the middle front door as well as the side panel 'doors' but im not sure I want to trust them to hold the weight of the entire front panel. Plus if they happen to slip, ill ^$@ up the finish/trim and/or hit a dog as my Patrol dog likes to sleep by the tank. Rather just use acouple screws to be safe.
DB9181
New member
Stand w/ all panels off and no Trim
Tank & Stand
Bottom row of rock - Lots of openings & only afew points of contact w/ the sand
120 lbs LR / 75lbs of LS all transferred from the 75g (plus about 30g of water) and all the CUC - Hopefully should be little if any mini-cycle.
Front Panel on w/ 1 door (still no trim on) - crappy pic
Got bored and toss the 36" Gamma overhead (still need to re-center it) Absolutely love the look (cell phone throwing off the color specs) even w/o the T5s in.
Got it a little over 3/4 full as of lastnight. Running RO/DI all day, should have this puppy filled by the end of tonight.
Tank & Stand
Bottom row of rock - Lots of openings & only afew points of contact w/ the sand
120 lbs LR / 75lbs of LS all transferred from the 75g (plus about 30g of water) and all the CUC - Hopefully should be little if any mini-cycle.
Front Panel on w/ 1 door (still no trim on) - crappy pic
Got bored and toss the 36" Gamma overhead (still need to re-center it) Absolutely love the look (cell phone throwing off the color specs) even w/o the T5s in.
Got it a little over 3/4 full as of lastnight. Running RO/DI all day, should have this puppy filled by the end of tonight.
badazztealcobra
New member
Looking really good !!!!
