Appetite for destruction?

elpulpo · 06/19/2012, 10:25 AM

Hello RC,

Longtime lurker coming out of the cave here. I have been slowly reading up and building up the equipment to set up my first saltwater setup after 6 years in the freshwater game. It's been a 6 month process, and I figure if I can get this excited about the research, I will be over the moon when I actually get something in the dang tank.

I was given the DT and stand by a friend's parents who had tired of the hobby. I started things off by removing the water damaged outer plywood panels on the stand, replacing them with new oak plywood, and then staining and refinishing the whole thing, and it looks real nice now.

Here's the rub.

After doing more homework on tank setups, I decided to go with a sump/fuge combo in the stand. Went on good ol' CL, bought a 25G that I was sure would fit through the door openings. WRONG.

Not a chance, no way. After looking it over, I couldn't get it in from any of the sides without tearing it back to square one and refinishing it all over again. I did however, determine that I could get it in by cutting a 9.75"x16" hole in the MDF top sheet, where the 55 sits. So it is now in the stand, and I am left with a top with a hole.

My question now, is whether or not it is necessary to lay in another sheet of MDF over the one with the cutout, or will the remaining 2" lip on either side of the hole be sufficient support? I'm also worried about the possibility of the 55 bowing where the cutout is. It's an acrylic tank, and its footprint is 48"x13.5", so the cutout is still small relative to the whole base of the tank. What do you guys think? Am I flirting with disaster if I don't double up the MDF? Thanks for the opinions!

mbd521 · 06/19/2012, 10:37 AM

welcome to the jungle!!! sorry couldn't resist... honestly can't really help you much, but I always thought that the bulk of weight distribution in an aquarium was pushing out towards the edges... I've never built a stand so don't take my word for it but I think you will be fine without the center... Im sure others will be more help!

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poakley723 · 06/19/2012, 11:11 AM

You need to support it since it is acrylic. Instead of douobling the MDF up put the piece you took out back in and support it from the bottoom if you have room.

elpulpo · 06/19/2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poakley723

You need to support it since it is acrylic. Instead of douobling the MDF up put the piece you took out back in and support it from the bottoom if you have room.

That's a great idea, thanks for the insight. Can't believe I didn't put two and two together on this one. Thanks!!!

06/19/2012, 10:25 AM	#1
elpulpo Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4	Appetite for destruction? Hello RC, Longtime lurker coming out of the cave here. I have been slowly reading up and building up the equipment to set up my first saltwater setup after 6 years in the freshwater game. It's been a 6 month process, and I figure if I can get this excited about the research, I will be over the moon when I actually get something in the dang tank. I was given the DT and stand by a friend's parents who had tired of the hobby. I started things off by removing the water damaged outer plywood panels on the stand, replacing them with new oak plywood, and then staining and refinishing the whole thing, and it looks real nice now. Here's the rub. After doing more homework on tank setups, I decided to go with a sump/fuge combo in the stand. Went on good ol' CL, bought a 25G that I was sure would fit through the door openings. WRONG. Not a chance, no way. After looking it over, I couldn't get it in from any of the sides without tearing it back to square one and refinishing it all over again. I did however, determine that I could get it in by cutting a 9.75"x16" hole in the MDF top sheet, where the 55 sits. So it is now in the stand, and I am left with a top with a hole. My question now, is whether or not it is necessary to lay in another sheet of MDF over the one with the cutout, or will the remaining 2" lip on either side of the hole be sufficient support? I'm also worried about the possibility of the 55 bowing where the cutout is. It's an acrylic tank, and its footprint is 48"x13.5", so the cutout is still small relative to the whole base of the tank. What do you guys think? Am I flirting with disaster if I don't double up the MDF? Thanks for the opinions! Last edited by elpulpo; 06/19/2012 at 10:26 AM. Reason: nonfunctional smiley

06/19/2012, 10:37 AM	#2
mbd521 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 113	welcome to the jungle!!! sorry couldn't resist... honestly can't really help you much, but I always thought that the bulk of weight distribution in an aquarium was pushing out towards the edges... I've never built a stand so don't take my word for it but I think you will be fine without the center... Im sure others will be more help! Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

06/19/2012, 11:11 AM	#3
poakley723 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 128	You need to support it since it is acrylic. Instead of douobling the MDF up put the piece you took out back in and support it from the bottoom if you have room.