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esparkman's 160g acrylic
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esparkman View Drop Down
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    Posted: November 03 2013 at 6:55pm
So this is going to be my first big saltwater tank. I picked it up when I moved to Utah about 2.5 months ago. Right now I am working on rebuilding the stand. When I got it, the stand had 4x4 corner supports I have replaced those with 2x4 and 2x6 supports in an L shape. It also had a front and back middle support brace. I'm hoping to eliminate at least the front one so that I can have ample access to the sump and all the various equipment. If anyone has thoughts on how I may pull that off I'd love to hear them. I was thinking I could replace the top brace with 2x6's and that should offset the load as compared to the current 2x4. I'll also be adding another 2x4 and 2x6 L support in between the top and bottom braces. I don't have alot of pics yet. I didn't think about doing a thread until I had already ripped the old stand apart. 

I will do better in the future about taking more pictures.
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2013 at 9:06pm
Welcome,
Here are my ideas.
Lengths of 2x4 securely screwed flat against the existing horizontal 2x4 frame between the legs, with two evenly spaced mid supports should keep it flat enough. Screw everything down from above along the length to connect the top securely to the supports.
The top of the stand looks like particle board. For acrylic and Euro style tanks, I like the perfect flat smoothness and strength of Melamine. I might place the Melamine right on top of the particle board for added strength.
The holes for the drains need to be twice that size so a wrench can get in from below to loosen/tighten the bulkhead nuts when there is a leak or something needs to be repaired or changed.
Mark Hug
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The top is plywood. That is a good idea though on the melamine. 
I'd really like to not have a middle support if at all possible so I can get in there and work when I need to.
The two holes are actually much bigger than they look in the pic. The tank was previously setup and in use.
I've seen some stands with much larger tanks that didn't have middle supports so I'm thinking it can be done.
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2013 at 9:46pm
I didn't say it well. The "two evenly spaced mid supports" would not be vertical, they would span horizontally between the front and back. The only thing vertical would be the four legs.
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Points: 99 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote esparkman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2013 at 9:50pm
Ah ok gotcha. Yeah there is actually a horizontal as well as a vertical beam under the plywood.
I'll have to get a pic of it.
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esparkman View Drop Down
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Points: 99 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote esparkman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 19 2014 at 10:41pm
Well i've been really bad at this build thread thing. But I have made some progress and the pics follow.

FTS:



Right Tower:




Middle Island:


Left Tower:
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