Design Software

LC - tried the program and I think I've made some headway.. I was able to come up with the shell as of this point anyway... I'm building it in 4 pieces, the tank stand, canopy and two side cabinets for storing all of that hardware that we never seem to have space for... Let me know what you guys think.. (No I didn't include shelves because I thought I could add those as I went. I intend on the sections being able to be bolted together for stability reasons but if it needs to be moved can be readily unbolted and carried in their seperate sections.

tankstand.jpg
 
That looks great, Mark! You could rig up moveable shelves for the cabinets to adjust as needed for whatever supplies. They'd also look cool as bookshelves! How high are those cabinets going to be? I don't see that spec on there.

Since you're going through the trouble of building this, I think you should go ahead and build two, and give 2nd one to me! I'll reimburse you for the building costs :)

The only thing I would change are those diagonal braces on the tank stand - I really don't think they're going to provide much structural support at that angle. Ideally, you'd want them at a 45 degree angle to provide vertical as well as lateral support. I can understand your desire to keep that front area open for easy access to your sump... why not make a removeable vertical brace for the front, and then two 45 degree braces in the back for lateral stability? I doubt that the stand would collapse if you didn't have that front vertical brace there for short periods of time. Heck, you might not need it at all if you make the front of the stand beefy enough.
 
That's a pretty sweet stand design. I agree with stranger on the angled braces. Are you going to use 2x4's or are you gonna go all out and use some sort of hardwood? Are you going to enclose the sides?
It's very nice....good job. Did you do a design for your inevitable 210g while you were at it?:D
Robbie
 
Just thought of another question - do you have any plans for ventilating the hood? I know a lot of people incorporate fans to blow across the top, but your design kinda removes that ability. I know with my new MH pendants, my tank is going up 3 degrees during the day - and they're in the open air!
 
No thats just a frame and yes I did do it with 2x4's but I've been thinking really hard on this tonight and probably will end up using hardwoods.

As far as the braces go, yeah I am wanting to have something there for some sort of support but still enough access to the sump. The overall cabinet will be completely covered, but I have not been successful covering this frame as of yet with wood products within the program even though it does have a layering capability. :(

As far as the canopy goes, since the type of lights that I have are a hamilton double reefsun I really don't want to remove them from their "container" so I plan on drilling a hole through the top support and placing a SS rod through there from which I can suspend a short chain to the light fixture (thats how it is supported now). I plan on leaving the back and top of the canopy area open for ventilation purposes. I want the front to be able to pull completely up so I don't have to do things through doors. I have seen these type of canopies and they seem to be a pain. I'll have to figure out some sort of support system so I don't be banged in the head however ;)

I'll also be leaving the back side of the tank area open, along with the bottom sections between the tank and the cabinet to facilitate the whole plug panel that I have designed out on paper. That way cords etc won't have to come out of the cabinet and then back in, and I can use things like velcro to "pretty" everything up.

Also one side of the cabinet is going to be for my mangrove trees to grow out as they seem to be taking up all of the nutrients in my system right now and have pretty much successfully killed off my Cheato.. They are growing like weeds and I have been designing a second sump chamber for their continued growth.

The tallest point of the structure will be 84" or 7' so yea it is going to be kind of tall but I need to space with my MH lights simply because of the amount of heat that they currently throw off heats my tank up by a degree to a degree and a half daily. Once things are inclosed I'm expecting that number to increase slightly (hopefully not since the back and top will be open.

Thanks for the comments guys.. Once I start this if anyone wants to fly up to North Dakota to pitch in some elbow grease let me know..

Oh and Robbie, if I get a 210 its going in wall with a tank room.. StrangerDejaVu.. No but I'll help you with yours :D
 
I believe you have those diagonals for "twisting" and "rocking" support, in order to stiffen up the stand? IMO the diagonals aren't for holding the weight, regardless. What could be a better solution for stiffening the frame from rocking/tilting/twisting is a plywood panel on the back...1/2" should do...and the back of the stand isn't for display, right?
 
you are correct LC the back is not for display, it will be against the wall. I did plan on covering the tall cabinet sections with wood, again I'm not sure the route I'm going to go here exactly, however wood was intended to go 360 except where it intersected with the bottom section of the tank stand itself. Like I said one side will be for my mangrove trees and the other will end up being a storage and power center.
 
One thing I would do for the end towers is to make them slightly less deep (couple of inches maybe) than the main section. It makes a huge visual difference to have them set back a little from the center section....you see this a lot with wall units where the audio/media storage/shelving on the outside is shallower than the main TV section.
Just my two cents. Still an awesome design...well done. Can't wait to see the build thread!
Robbie
 
you cold always just download autocad off of limewire or something like that for free. programs like that often need a code to set up but the is ample amount of sites that will give you a trial code.
 
wantvws said:
One thing I would do for the end towers is to make them slightly less deep (couple of inches maybe) than the main section. It makes a huge visual difference to have them set back a little from the center section....you see this a lot with wall units where the audio/media storage/shelving on the outside is shallower than the main TV section.
Just my two cents. Still an awesome design...well done. Can't wait to see the build thread!
Robbie
Click to expand...

You know thats a great idea. But I'll probably have to elongate the center section as the container that I planned on using for the mangroves is going to "just fit" within the confines of that space. :)

But you are right those units are more aesthetically pleasing.
 
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