Help. DIY Aquarium stand. Customize Design

benrose · 11/29/2015, 01:50 AM

Hi all,
I am a newbie, planning to build an aquarium and stand. There is a special design customization that is needed to accomodate the tank in my room. A part of the stand must be built into the already existing strucutre (window). Can any experienced person tell me whether this design will work out, do i need any additional support elements?... Your valuable suggestions will be much appreciated. Thank You.
aquades latest.jpg (2x4 rubber wood is used)

Gorgok · 11/29/2015, 02:35 AM

Which direction does that window face? Will the tank be painted/covered on that face? Is the window well insulated and/or does it get cold? Are you planning on a sump and where would you run the plumbing in that case? Will there be enough room to clean the window-side glass if not blanked? Planning on tank mounted lights or hanging ones from the ceiling or off supports on the stand? Will it matter that lots of light spills out the window (less if not blanked)?

Other than those things, the windowsill is at least as strong as the stand more than likely, assuming its built right. Vertical studs every 16", plus extra ones at the ends. The horizontal will be flat not standing up though.

Ron Reefman · 11/29/2015, 07:45 AM

Light from the window will encourage algae in the tank.
Does the widow get hot in the summer and/or cold in the winter? That affects water temps.
How do you clean the window?
What will be on the inside of the back of the tank (against the window? It will be coraline algae.
Where do you plan to run plumbing for a filter system, skimmer, sump, reactors?
Will you have curtains to close over the window for privacy?

billdogg · 11/29/2015, 09:15 AM

As mentioned in both of the above posts - although the sill *should* be strong enough to support the tank, without removing the drywall there is rally no good way to know for sure. The bigger issue is the window directly behind the tank. That is pretty much a deal-breaker IMO.

Member No. 1 · 11/29/2015, 09:52 AM

From your diagram, the stand is 1.4' wide and the tank is 2'. You are only talking a little over 6". Why can't you just pull the tank out the difference and go with a conventional stand. Maybe a pic of the location would help us better understand your requirements.

benrose · 11/29/2015, 07:24 PM

Thank you all for your replies...
The window is an open grill type (with no glass). The tank location gets direct sunlight for about 1.5 hours in the evening. The temperature ranges from 20 to 36 degree Celsius through the year (Kerala/India)...
aquadesd.jpg
The room is only 6 ft wide... so I have to save as much space as possible...

The plan is to use a hanging type filter and to leave the aquarium glass facing the window as it is (without painting it).

benrose · 11/29/2015, 07:27 PM

The windows sill is a masonry one (cement and bricks)... So it is very strong.

Gorgok · 11/29/2015, 08:32 PM

That should be fine for condensation, temperature, spillage etc... And strength.

Now a more important one with a mesh/screen type window, will you protect the top of the tank from outside contaminants getting blown in? A tall (but still open) hood would work i think. Putting a cover on the tank will make it harder to light, cool, clean and aerate.

Cooling the tank might be a little harder on the hotter days with open windows, but as its not in too much direct light i think its doable.

billdogg · 11/30/2015, 06:32 PM

At the very least, I would put a piece of plywood between the tank and window to block as much ambient light as possible.

benrose · 11/30/2015, 08:15 PM

Okay.. Thank you.
Could you help me with the amount of silicone needed... it is a 4x2x2 ft tank... so how much silicone will be needed?

Tsteak · 12/01/2015, 01:57 AM

Beyond construction, this is a horrible place to put a tank, and in my opinion a mistake. I'm sure you've got the bug, and will proceed anyway, but the right thing to do is wait to build a tank when you have the space to do it properly. The window is a huge contamination source, including the light others have mentioned and other elements; in aquaria the chemical balance of the ecosystem you are maintaining is everything, and you'll be fighting airborne contaminants. Exposure to any daylight like that, direct sun or not, is also horrible, as it limits your control. You will be frustrated fighting algae and other issues we all face in ideal setups. If you're going fish only, you could succeed, but I'd hate to be your fish; if you're wanting to build a reef system, just please don't…

All that said; from the perspective of a building contractor, you're fine structurally. Just make sure there are some posts bearing load against the wall just incase the building construction is shoddy. FYI, in structural engineering, with the proper size beam members, you can have ⅓ of the beam length overhanging its support post; so in the application of you're tank, the window really only has to help it balance.

insane · 12/05/2015, 07:49 PM

Use the KISS method. Since you are building your own tank, make it not as deep front to back so you don't need to use the window sill and can build a normal stand that could be moved and used elsewhere if need be.

To make up for the water volume difference build your tank walls a little taller.

11/29/2015, 01:50 AM	#1
benrose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 4	Help. DIY Aquarium stand. Customize Design Hi all, I am a newbie, planning to build an aquarium and stand. There is a special design customization that is needed to accomodate the tank in my room. A part of the stand must be built into the already existing strucutre (window). Can any experienced person tell me whether this design will work out, do i need any additional support elements?... Your valuable suggestions will be much appreciated. Thank You. aquades latest.jpg (2x4 rubber wood is used)

11/29/2015, 07:45 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Light from the window will encourage algae in the tank. Does the widow get hot in the summer and/or cold in the winter? That affects water temps. How do you clean the window? What will be on the inside of the back of the tank (against the window? It will be coraline algae. Where do you plan to run plumbing for a filter system, skimmer, sump, reactors? Will you have curtains to close over the window for privacy? __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/29/2015, 09:15 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	As mentioned in both of the above posts - although the sill should be strong enough to support the tank, without removing the drywall there is rally no good way to know for sure. The bigger issue is the window directly behind the tank. That is pretty much a deal-breaker IMO. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/29/2015, 09:52 AM	#5
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	From your diagram, the stand is 1.4' wide and the tank is 2'. You are only talking a little over 6". Why can't you just pull the tank out the difference and go with a conventional stand. Maybe a pic of the location would help us better understand your requirements. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

11/29/2015, 07:24 PM	#6
benrose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 4	Thank you Thank you all for your replies... The window is an open grill type (with no glass). The tank location gets direct sunlight for about 1.5 hours in the evening. The temperature ranges from 20 to 36 degree Celsius through the year (Kerala/India)... aquadesd.jpg The room is only 6 ft wide... so I have to save as much space as possible... The plan is to use a hanging type filter and to leave the aquarium glass facing the window as it is (without painting it).

11/29/2015, 02:35 AM	#2
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	Which direction does that window face? Will the tank be painted/covered on that face? Is the window well insulated and/or does it get cold? Are you planning on a sump and where would you run the plumbing in that case? Will there be enough room to clean the window-side glass if not blanked? Planning on tank mounted lights or hanging ones from the ceiling or off supports on the stand? Will it matter that lots of light spills out the window (less if not blanked)? Other than those things, the windowsill is at least as strong as the stand more than likely, assuming its built right. Vertical studs every 16", plus extra ones at the ends. The horizontal will be flat not standing up though.

11/29/2015, 07:27 PM	#7
benrose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 4	The windows sill is a masonry one (cement and bricks)... So it is very strong.

11/29/2015, 08:32 PM	#8
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	That should be fine for condensation, temperature, spillage etc... And strength. Now a more important one with a mesh/screen type window, will you protect the top of the tank from outside contaminants getting blown in? A tall (but still open) hood would work i think. Putting a cover on the tank will make it harder to light, cool, clean and aerate. Cooling the tank might be a little harder on the hotter days with open windows, but as its not in too much direct light i think its doable.

11/30/2015, 06:32 PM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	At the very least, I would put a piece of plywood between the tank and window to block as much ambient light as possible. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/30/2015, 08:15 PM	#10
benrose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 4	Okay.. Thank you. Could you help me with the amount of silicone needed... it is a 4x2x2 ft tank... so how much silicone will be needed?

12/01/2015, 01:57 AM	#11
Tsteak Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: La Quinta, Ca Posts: 45	Beyond construction, this is a horrible place to put a tank, and in my opinion a mistake. I'm sure you've got the bug, and will proceed anyway, but the right thing to do is wait to build a tank when you have the space to do it properly. The window is a huge contamination source, including the light others have mentioned and other elements; in aquaria the chemical balance of the ecosystem you are maintaining is everything, and you'll be fighting airborne contaminants. Exposure to any daylight like that, direct sun or not, is also horrible, as it limits your control. You will be frustrated fighting algae and other issues we all face in ideal setups. If you're going fish only, you could succeed, but I'd hate to be your fish; if you're wanting to build a reef system, just please don't… All that said; from the perspective of a building contractor, you're fine structurally. Just make sure there are some posts bearing load against the wall just incase the building construction is shoddy. FYI, in structural engineering, with the proper size beam members, you can have ⅓ of the beam length overhanging its support post; so in the application of you're tank, the window really only has to help it balance.

12/05/2015, 07:49 PM	#12
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	Use the KISS method. Since you are building your own tank, make it not as deep front to back so you don't need to use the window sill and can build a normal stand that could be moved and used elsewhere if need be. To make up for the water volume difference build your tank walls a little taller.