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6X2X2 Mammoth Tank Build (PIC HEAVY)


rennie_08

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Hi Guys,

I have been following posts on here for some time now and I would like to share some of my experiences so far with building my new display tank. I have had a 6x2x2 and a 4x2x2 in the past both homes to african cichlids that I have constructed the cabinets and hoods for. This time I am going for the mighty americans :)

With a lot of help from Andrew at labyrinth aquarium I have managed to design my display tank the exact way I have wanted it for quite some time.

I am going to keep you guys updated on the build throughout this post.

I hope everyone enjoys it and gets some useful information!! Any questions or ideas, do not hesitate too ask.

The start of the build...

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Getting the base ready for screwing...

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175mm Bugle Screws to hold the legs to the base and top, not going anywhere real fast!

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Back of the stand glued and fixed...

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Waiting for the weekend to get back into it seeing as I only get sundays off to do anything to it.. Need to get it done asap because the tank will be ready to pick up from abyss in 2 weeks!!

Thanks for looking guys and I will keep you all updated!!

Regards

Chris

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Thanks for that ged, it will take a bit of time but I can't wait to get it done.

It sure is solid, I just bolted chest/cleat handles onto the back of the cabinet because it will be very heavy when finished :)

I will keep you updated.

Regards

Chris

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So I finally got back into making the cabinet with my brother today, pretty happy with the progress. Had a bit of luck with the weather as a massive storm front blew around.

First thing today we cut the doors out of the front panel. Using a circular saw and a straight edge to ensure a smooth, straight cut. I did this before gluing the panel to make it easier to finish the cuts with a hand saw and too sand them smooth.

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I glue behind every panel where the mdf meets the timber framework, once I am happy with everything.

Had a little helper today, always makes the job fun and interesting....

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After I Glued and fixed the front panel with the doors cut out, I had to use a sharp chisel to pare the last bit of mdf from the difference in thickness of the circular saw and the hand saw before cutting the hinges in.

A 35mm Hinge borer comes in handy, making life a lot easier to install hinges....

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Last thing today before heading to the beach to find some rocks for the new tank we gave it a quick sand and builders bogged the screw holes. Cant wait to get home from work tomorrow afternoon and sand for hours :woohoo:

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Thanks everyone for looking and I will keep you updated until its finished.

Once I have it all up and going I will post a thread with everything in detail, hopefully it helps someone!!

Regards

Chris

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Looks great and will be mighty nice when finished

I'm guessing you have an I phone as mine did this also

turned the pics and when I went to post them they were

90* out so just used the originals that posted correct

enjoy your sanding :roll

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Looking good Chris. Is the final position of the tank going to be on your floorboards supported by bearer and joist?

I am currently thinking of another tank but I only have bearer and joist flooring (hardwood I think) and I'm concerned about the weight of a 6x2x2 on them. I had plans to tile the house and was thinking of cutting out the flooring and forming up and pouring a slab where I want the tank and then tiling over. This was the plan but I'm looking to move in the next few years so have decided against that expense. I'm interested to hear what your thoughts are.

Years ago I was in a brand new home and took the risk putting a 6x2x2 on bearer and joist flooring (pine) which held the tank for 4 years so I suspect I shouldn't have an issue but imagine the mess if something let go...... :blink

Cheers

Ben

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Link to hell, yeah it is only playing up on my iphone, when I log onto the computer the pictures are fine!!

Hi Ben,

The tank will be sitting on the bearer and joists with hardwood flooring. The joists will be running from the front to the back of the tank rather than side to side meaning the weight of the tank will be spread out a lot more and the weight will be taken directly onto the joists rather than in between the joists.

It's rather hard to explain but I will draw something up and post it on here to help.

The main things to check are:

Joist spacings: either 450 or 600mm

The direction the joists are running

Check to see if it's hardwood or softwood.

If you have anymore questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Regards

Chris

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As a structural engineer, I would advise caution for any tank onto a suspended slab or timber floor.

An internal timber floor is designed for 1.5kPa or 150kG/m2. A 600mm deep tank will be about 6kPa before adding in the stand, glass or any rocks. Because you are only applying the load on a relatively small percentage of you floor area, normally you should be ok. But positioning is everything, and you are about 4x overloaded. I think the typical foot for a metal stand would be very dangerous.

Look, in the end, if you had drawings, you probably could get a structural engineer to do a once over for $400-600. Sounds expensive, but if the floor catastrophically fails, I suspect your repair build will be approaching $10 000.

In saying that, I saw one genius put a 900 deep tank right next to a spa on the 5th floor on a suspended concrete slab. He was bloody lucky that the architectural feature meant his balcony was a metre smaller than the neighbors, because the neighbors would of failed.

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From a builders perspective and seeing things done practically rather than on paper I really think that something like this in my case will be fine.

I am going to run 90x90 posts to a concrete pad footing that is all ready under the existing floor area.

My tank will be sitting directly above an external wall that is supported with 200x150 hardwood bearers, 100x50 hardwood joists at 450 centres..

I really can't see the floor going anywhere, especially when I look at the developments I am working on with bathrooms having a 50mm screed over the top of 250x45 softwood joists floor to ceiling tiles, floor tiles and a bath on top.

Regards

Chris

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If you are a builder, then I would suggest you do have some experience in the area. I do like the bottom beam you are using, it spreads the load nicely.

But if you do not have any experience, I would advise caution when you get to about 600 deep. Place it midspan, and I can see some creep failures, especially with suspended concrete design.

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it will be fine with weight mayb just do a quick scan of the timbers below the flooring bang em with a hammer ull be right i had over 800kg of tanks water and steel stand sitting over only three joists for quite a while in a house that was built many moons ago the house was that old it still had the fire pit out the back with the copper or brass tubing running through it to heat the water up.it still had a chain to pull to operate the shower head

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