New Build! - 150 gallon SCA and DIY Standd

[HHN]

Wasn't sure I'd start a tank build thread as I am always way impressed and a bit intimidated by what other people of have done and there is no way Ill match that...but it's an evolution. So, here's to learning from my future mistakes.

And would love some suggestions.

** Upgrading from 90 gallon to 150 gallon SCA

** this was my first screw up. I was only off by 6 inches on the height !

[OhioStreetz]

2x4 bottom and 2x6 top?

[Drama D]

Think he did that to eliminate the vertical brace in the front of the stand

[HHN]

I saw a video that said 2x4 on bottom...and i do have a center brace in the middle...its in now

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[HHN]

Question: the stand now has 3/4 plywood on top and a 2x4 center post. I used pocket holes to put the center posts in. My understanding is that the center posts aren't totally necesary, but I put them in for peace of mind. Anything else anyone can recommend to make it more stable? (ill post picture later).

[dizzyjay]

You’re plenty sturdy where you are at; congrats on the 150-

[HHN]

Thanks DJ...I am going to wrap it with something. I think I am going with grey driftwood. Part of the deal to place it in the living room si that has to look nice!

[HHN]

Would do anyone suggest adding some cross braces on the side.? I feel like there's a little bit too much movement forward and backwards

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[seanmcknew]

I would add diagonal support to the sides. This will keep the tank from any possible racking or twisting

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[davocean]

That design requires no additional bracing.
Any movement is probably due to that floating floor and deviations in floor, shims are usually needed.
When you skin tank that would add shear strength that would do same as bracing, but many of us have run large tanks just on that stand design alone even w/out being skinned.
It's actually a pretty overkill design.

Shim the stand as is, place tank on empty, check level again and adjust as needed, do your FW leak test, and check level again as you fill tank, make any fine tune adjustments if needed as you go, sometimes weight of tank compresses flooring and fine tune adjustments are needed.

[Kirbuno]

Looks good, verify that you have access to any drilled ports and that you have clearance to get a good grip on any fittings now before you go further. Sometimes in the process design changes occur and you forget to recheck those clearances. Well maybe not you, but I've made that mistake.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[davocean]

^^ One of the many advantages of using a ghost overflow, easier access of bulkheads usually, but good point for those w/ bottom bored ports.

[seaArt]

Looking grate man.

[HHN]

Note to future self...don't do that again. Well, tank is up and "running", but was one of the most stressful things I have done. Major move, new tank, suspect stand build, selling old tank and moving livestock. Not fun. But suprsingly, 70 % look pretty good. No fish loss, quite a few SPS lost (that were just starting to take off unfortunately) and 2 heads on a hammer. Still a lot of work to do. I rockscaped on the fly and honestly, I love it. we'll see in 6 months, but so far pretty happy how it turned out. I need more lights, the rest of my flow set up and all the wiring and dosing. Pretty much doing everthing manually until I can get my apex stand built.
But, thanks for all the tips...and always welcome for more.

Updating

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[acbaldwin]

Looks good, I like the scape a lot.