155 Bowfront Stand

[wfex4]

I was able to pick up two 155 bowfront aquariums over the last few weeks and need to build some sturdy and reliable alternatives to the factory stands they came on. One is drilled in both corners and the other is not, but I plan to run a sump on both of them in the long term.

As these will be in the garage, I don't plan on wrapping the stands, but they will get a coat of exterior black paint. I would like to keep them without any center supports in the front for easy access and removal of the sump should I decide to move things around in the future. I do plan on having two upright supports along the back side of the tank.

Don't mind the crude drawings, but I haven't gotten around to playing with SketchUp yet. I plan on using mostly 2x4's with one horizontal 2x8 running across the front span and a 2x12 laid flat on top cut to the contour of the tank. Stand will measure 74" long, 48" tall and 26" from front to back. I want these tanks literally at eye level.

Let me know if you see any problems with the stand or any improvements you'd suggest (The side view is obviously rotated 90 degrees).

 

[wfex4]

Okay, so I made a couple changes while building. Made it more of the standard template stand and just screwed the curved frame on top. Cut down the overall height to 40" and added a few extra inches around the front so I can rest my beer while watching the tank.

Will have it painted black tonight and post some more updates.

After that, I just have to make one more identical to this. It's been fun playing Tetris in the one car garage while this was getting built.

 

[wfex4]

Here's the (almost) final product. I need to cut some better shims out of 2x4s and do some touch up paint, but this thing is pretty much done and ready for the tank.