55 Gallon Stand

[fishfishfish]

i was thinking about building my own stand for my 55 gallon.it also has to hold weight of rocks so i was thinking of a raised platform touching the glass under the lip so that i can load it up good.any ideas or how toos

 

[Tolak]

If the bottom is raised & supported by the edges, don't even thing of jacking up the middle of the stand to touch the bottom glass. The most common tank of this design is All-Glass, you can load the tank full to the top with rocks & add water, I've seen it done. Egg crate is recommended under the rocks & substrate to relieve any pressure points caused by the weight of a rock or 2 concentrated on a small area. The edge of the tank supports the slightly raised bottom.

Glass does give a little with weight. By supporting the bottom instead of the edges, you risk the opposite of what you want to keep from happening.

 

[fishfishfish]

oh i understand.but what do you mean by egg crate?

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Egg Crate is a slang for Light Diffuser that looks like this ( http/electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-38-...nel-640162.aspx ) . You can use Under Gravel Filter Plates if you can't locate these . Basically gives you the cushion for glass to rock or you don't need one if it's rock to acrylic just as long as the rock is placed first then sand/gravel (but if you deside to move it about and drag it it'll scratch the bottom).

 

[fishfishfish]

so to use the egg crate would i put it in the bottom of the tank than rock then sand?

 

[Tolak]

so to use the egg crate would i put it in the bottom of the tank than rock then sand?

That's the idea, or you could put your substrate, then the rocks.

 

[fishfishfish]

now it goes inside the tank right.where the water will be right?
and i do believe my dads business uses these.does it need to be a certain style?

 

[Tolak]

Yes, it goes inside the tank. The cheapest is white, it works fine. If dad gets it for free, any color is the best.

 

[RRasco]

here is the tank i have designed and built. i have been working on it for a few weeks.

here is the design thread, went over several ideas until it was perfect:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=156121

here is a link to progress pics, i will have a full tutorial once i am done.
http/s170193323.onlinehome.us/Aquatic%20.../tankstand.html

 

[mr.dark-saint]

That's the idea, or you could put your substrate, then the rocks.

I wouldn't put on substraight first then rocks (in case you wish to keep diggers ) as they dig there is a chance of squish or toppling over. Oh as for the "Egg Crate" get the open mesh .