DIY 220g(830L) Tank Stand
- Thread starter hardb0iled
- Start date
Wow, that is a really nice looking stand. The weather there sounds alittle like Michigan... as far as being inconsistent that is 
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Yeah that would have been a saner way to spend my few days off from work, but I'm under the thumb to get this tank set-up asap
The tank is 5'7" long by 2'4" deep and high
Very strange size so I would have had to get a custom made stand anyhow if I didnt want to make it myself. I like the size though I was thinking of a 6'x2'x2' originally before this one being slightly deeper will mean my MC wont outgrow it as quickly!In the sump I will a have a wet/dry trickle area with bio balls in it and another submerged media chamber area after that. Not quite sure what type of filter media I'll be using in the submerged section yet?.
I actually have an old Fluval 403 canister which I have been running on my 450L tank for the last week to get it seeded with bacteria and plan to use this on the new tank for the moment until I can finish off the sump filter and get it seeded.
Heres a little update. I've finished that staining, I'm not that great at staining but it turned out acceptable I think
Trying to put coats of clear coat on in 42 degree heat is not ideal, the brush was almost sticking to the stand! Anyhow, the pics:
I painted the back sides of the tank black, the sides that will against the wall.
Here is the tank sitting next to the stand waiting to be lifted on. This is not the stand's most attractive angle! I ran out of the panelling again and couldnt justify buying a new length for one little strip that wont be seen when the stand is set-up in place anyhow, so this is the hidden side of the stand
Filling the tank to test for leaks and make sure the stand is strong enough. I didnt even hear a creak out of it whilst it was filling and once full was as solid as a rock
Another shot of the tank filling.
The tank and stand are currently sitting under the carport full of water and soaking driftwood. I hope to move it into my bedroom this weekend and set it up properly. I will report back when I have more news on the tank/stand or the sump filter.
Just drew up a quick dodgy plan of how I intend to build the sump filter:
Pretty basic but effective. I have a sump filter which I made currently running on my 450litre tank, its a similar design but only has the bio ball compartment and uses a 2.5' tank instead of a 3' which I have for this sump.
With the 3' tank I figure I have enough room to house a section for submerged media after the bio ball trickle section. I havent decided what media to use in this section yet besides a layer of foam sandwiching the media to contain it and help mechanical filtration. I was thinking of even having 2 seperate submerged media sections but figured one large section would be plenty.
Also going from my last sump filter, to have the water line high enough for the submerged pump not to suck air, the bio balls at the very bottom of the bio ball chamber end up submerged. I figure why not put a layer of scoria rock on the bottom which performs better when submerged and is cheaper than bio balls!
I will post back with pics when I start putting this together, you will be suprised at how easy they are to make! The hardest part of my last one was making the drip tray and having to drill all those holes!
Pretty basic but effective. I have a sump filter which I made currently running on my 450litre tank, its a similar design but only has the bio ball compartment and uses a 2.5' tank instead of a 3' which I have for this sump.
With the 3' tank I figure I have enough room to house a section for submerged media after the bio ball trickle section. I havent decided what media to use in this section yet besides a layer of foam sandwiching the media to contain it and help mechanical filtration. I was thinking of even having 2 seperate submerged media sections but figured one large section would be plenty.
Also going from my last sump filter, to have the water line high enough for the submerged pump not to suck air, the bio balls at the very bottom of the bio ball chamber end up submerged. I figure why not put a layer of scoria rock on the bottom which performs better when submerged and is cheaper than bio balls!
I will post back with pics when I start putting this together, you will be suprised at how easy they are to make! The hardest part of my last one was making the drip tray and having to drill all those holes!
Nice stand and tank. Good find with the sump. I wish people threw away things like that up here. All we get up here are old crappy couches and barber chairs. Good luck with the tank.
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It would probably be twice as easy without them!stotty said:do i need a dog to build one
Well the tank is finally in my room full(well nearly full) of water. Here are some pics of the process
Here is the tank in my room, I had to hook up all the plumbing at the back before pushing the whole lot back into the corner. Two of the pipes will be drains to feed the sump and one will be the sump return line.
hmmm mobile phone doesnt work to well in a dim room. Anyhow here is the tank pushed back into its final position.
I collected some laterite a few weeks ago whilst visiting my dad, he lives near a river that has laterite cliffs
Laterite is very high in iron and when used in your substrate, in my case sand, the plants love it!
Here I have spread the laterite out, I have not put any at the front right corner as from experience that is where the sand will be churned up the most. The sump return current is strongest there and thats where the fish get fed and play up! I mainly need it for plants across the back of the tank.
Sand going in over the laterite...
...and finally the water goes in!!
Notice the bowl under the hose end to stop it from churning the sand and laterite up.
Will be starting to put the sump together this week
