Spray Painted PVC in Refugium

Alright just wanted to make sure Ever since I had a 55 crack a pane because it wasn't level and flood my apartment, I'm extra cautious.

 

I understand, I have never built a stand before I just relied on the fact that I bought a stand and it should work. Now that I am building my own, I am kind of scared! I don't want to ruin everything. I don't care about my floor (tile but i am sure 75 gallons will travel a good distance onto my carpet) i just don't want to kill my livestock. I am thinking about temporarily attaching a 1x2 lip around the top panel and pooring some resin on it to make sure all lumps or dips are completely flat and level. Anyone tried that?

 

currently building my 75 stand. i'm going to lay a sheet of styrofoam or foam board on top to let the tank settle evenly. +1 on being nervous about how first diy stand turns out

 

I know what you mean. This is my first stand build and I just don't want to screw up. That's why I was thinking about pooring resin on the top so that it is perfectly flat and level. Maybe it is overkill but like you said, I am scared enough to pay for it.

 

+1 on the styrofoam layer, thats exactly what I do to all of my tanks, I build the stands as true and level as possible and then rely on the foam to fill the imperfections in the wood.

 

I will try that. It is A LOT cheaper than resin and would also be a good shock absorber for ambient vibrations.

 

Well, I did it. I will have to post some pics tonight but I got the whole thing up and running. I Re-Enforced the 4x4's with 2x4s for more vertical support. I added 2x4 braces in the center but with the ability to remove them for maintenance purposes. I added a layer of Styrofoam for bottom support like you suggested. Everything looks nice. I raised the stand about a foot higher than my old stand which makes viewing much easier for tall people like myself and more room to work under the stand. I filled the tank with water, 100lbs of sand (60live from my old tank and 40 dry aragonite). I put 90-100lbs of rock (~75 Live from old tank and 20lbs dry rock). Everything is nice and I am very happy. All I have to do is buy some nice oak or pine board and cut out the panels for the front and sides as well as doors, add some trim molding, stain, varnish, enjoy.

 

pics!

 

I actually took some, I will upload them when I get home. I also started my fuge setup. I just have to add more sand and some chaeto (I think there is a small piece in there forming already)

 

Ok here you go! This is just of the stand and setup. I will take some pics of the newly setup fuge in a bit.