So it begins again - 40g Breeder

[beerfish]

I got rid of my 75g awhile ago and have had a 24g Aquapod up and running for the time being. Now that we've moved and I have a bit more time on my hands, I decided to take a step up. So I bought a 40g breeder, and I spent a bit of time today working on a stand. I'll post pics as I progress, but here's what I've got so far. I'm not done with the stand yet, and yes I'm aware that it's not enough support yet.

 

[Cailp02]

Looks great so far.

 

[shroomie]

Can't wait to see it up and running!

 

[beerfish]

Got the stand framing done. Now I have to decide on the type of wood I want on the outside and go buy it.

 

[leo]

looking good

 

[jaa1456]

Just curious why you doubled up on the 2x4's on the back but not the front?

 

[beerfish]

Just curious why you doubled up on the 2x4's on the back but not the front?

I added the extras in the back as overkill, but didn't feel like I needed them with the center brace in the front. I have a tendency to over engineer a bit, so I threw them in as an afterthought to make myself feel better.

 

[beerfish]

Picked up some pine plywood for the interior, and some nice birch sheets for the front and sides. I also finally bought a table saw, which should make cutting them a bit faster than with the circular saw. I plan on doing a single piece on the front and routing out the holes for the doors. I also picked up some crown molding for the bottom and trip for the top. Couldn't decide on the corners yet, so I'll make another trip as I get more finished.

I also plan on having openings on both sides to make accessing everything easier, and also so that I can add an easy drain spout for water changes.

 

[jaa1456]

I got ya, did you think of making the back the front so working in the sump area would be easier? If you plan on going with a sump under the tank.

 

[jaa1456]

Well I guess while I was typing my post you answered it already lol

 

[beerfish]

I got ya, did you think of making the back the front so working in the sump area would be easier? If you plan on going with a sump under the tank.

Thought about it, but I like the look of 2 doors on the front, and with the side panels opening, I should have plenty of access.

 

[jaa1456]

Yea the sides should work if you need to remove the sump, just make sure you double check your openings before you box yourself in, you could also build a front door that will be 2 doors and can open all the way with no center brace. It would just be a dummy piece attached to one of the doors. My new stand has a center brace and I wish it didn't, the old tank and stand was wide open which made working in the sump much easier.

 

[beerfish]

Yea the sides should work if you need to remove the sump, just make sure you double check your openings before you box yourself in, you could also build a front door that will be 2 doors and can open all the way with no center brace. It would just be a dummy piece attached to one of the doors. My new stand has a center brace and I wish it didn't, the old tank and stand was wide open which made working in the sump much easier.

LOL, I actually have the sump and skimmer in my work area so that I can make sure everything is accessible.

I hated working on my 75g, which is part of the reason I tore it down. I'm trying to plan this one perfectly. It's not quite my dream tank, but this is basically a trial run for my big tank. Trying to take all that I've learned from all the years and all the tanks I've had and make this an easy to work on, low maintenance tank. Additionally, the wife wants it to look like nice furniture, so I'm taking the time to make the stand as nice as possible.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

Nice start!!! keep those pics coming because I will be tagging alone this thread