Tim,

I didn't check out the prices on the Blum Blumotion hinges.  He normally doesn't add the soft close although I saw one after I bought the Grass closers that the cabinet shop had installed something similar to what I used on a recent stand although what they used was installed (maybe incorrectly) was on the non hinge side of the door.  I already had the hinges and when picking up the lumber and plywood the Grass soft impact closers were in a bowl on the counter.  They were less than $3.50 each (1 per door) so I thought that they would be a cheap gimme.  

Tim and Brice, the structural framing for this stand (as engineered for him and followed by me) is just a 2 x 4 skeleton with the 2 x 4's set on edge at the floor and aquarium levels and a singler 2 x 4 upright in each corner.  Manufacturer made stands in this size would have omitted the 2 x 4 skeleton.  Heck, my 93 gallon at home has a manufacturer supplied stand is even made out of mdf.  In his 25 years of doing this he has never had a stand failure so I guess that it works.

Peter

EDIT:  From what I understand, if a customer wants a stand with a cabinet style toe kick it complicates things.

This is not about fish tanks, but about effects of extreme weight where floor not designed adequately.  I am sure that anybody able to afford tanks such as you are describing has been smart enough to have looked into the engineering to shore up the floor.

Many moons ago, I sort of inherited a piano (I have many fond memories of time spent around that piano.  This is not the place for those stories, but they do reside in my mind as well as in my computer.) I am not musically inclined, only played (translate: made noises) a harmonica for several years.  I never had to worry about a chair collapsing as I sat in it to play. This piano, I was told at one time by a professional piano mover, was one of the very heaviest ever constructed in its upright class.  I wanted somebody that would appreciate to have it.  My son decided he might like to have it as his father-in-law was a good piano player.  FIL never got the chance to play it as he passed away soon afterwards.  My son thought he might like to keep it in case his son might have inherited the talent.

About six months after putting it in his living room, he started noticing that some windows could no longer be opened.  Doors were hitting at tops or bottoms when opened and closed.  Upon a close inspection, we determined the weight of the piano, being installed in an early prefab house, was sagging the floor joists and pulling the walls in or out, depending of the direction of forces.  He had to get rid of the piano or rebuild his floor framing.  Eventually, maybe, his whole house.

We discussed the problem with our daughter and she decided she would like to learn to play the piano.  After taking a quick trip to her house in Maryland, I determined what needed to be done about shoring up the floor where the piano was to be placed.  My daughter’s (then) husband had some carpenter friends who did the shoring according to my specs and I went back to Connecticut to pick up the piano. 

Long story short, my daughter has moved several times since acquiring that heavy piece of furniture.  It has been installed in some of the houses and in cold storage at other times.  With each installation into her home, we have inspected the floor support very carefully. 

I have never studied how pianos are constructed, but the guy who has moved that monster each time for our daughter pointed out that the framing, some 3x6 oak is about twice what most pianos are constructed.  I am sure the tanks you are supporting are a whole lot heavier than that piano.  I’m not debating here, but I sure am surprised at single 2x4 for framing of the support cabinets.  I guess having been a mason by trade, I am always inclined to over design any support systems I have been involved with.

Incidentally, that is an incredible job you did.  Our ex-SIL had a 40 gal tank.  His support was an open stand of stainless steel.  I like what you have done much better.  I am sure you will get many referrals.  You will not need to advertise once word gets around. Your work is the best advertisement.
Tinker

Tinker,

That's a great story!  Thank you for the compliment.  I have no desire to freelance at this point in time.  Let him have the ultimate insurance issues and the engineering issues.  Regarding weight - He told me a story about one of clients.  The client was in waiting to be helped in the store when he looked over and asked if his setup was the most expensive one he had ever done.  The store owner said "Nope".  Was it the second one?  "Nope"   Certainly in the top five?  "Nope"  Top ten?  "I am not really comfortable talking about this.  Let's just say that you are probably in the top 25, BUT your setup is the coolest!"

Apparently as you drive down the street you can see the lights from the aquarium and a glimpse of the aquarium from one end of the house to the other on the second floor.  It is installed in his office which is installed over the top of the two car garage.  There is not a a support post in the garage.  The aquarium sits in the middle of the floor as a divider and is visible from all four sides.  The floor framing is 16" wide flange I joists on 12 inch centers.  I assume that there is a steel beam hidden, but do not know for sure.  Two engineers had to sign off on the floor design prior to construction of the house.  Every time a service call is made to that house they look at the garage ceiling to see if there is a sag.  

Hey, I guess everyone needs a hobby.  I can't wait to consolidate my tanks and reduce my electrical costs.  The money saved could be put to use for more Festoys!

Peter


 

Peter,

That's great...glad you are getting some projects.  I enjoyed reading all about this project and look forward to your next build.  Hope there are lots of pics too.

Scot 

Thanks Alan!

I can't wait to see design drawings because as you said - this thing will be heavy, probably 10 to 11 thousand pounds, but my guess is that when people see what is the structure they will be shocked by the relative lack of structure.  Even our friend "Ick" has experience with stands and has commented to me about the lack of structure.  Maybe one day he will post about the really cool setup he did.  That  would be mind boggling.

Peter

Holey Moley!  10,000 gallons!  Can't wait to see the build pics!  Peter, you are da man!!

!,000 gallons is big enough! 

Maybe he could use a couple of viewing chairs?

Peter

Kev,

the filtration system should be in the neighborhood of 300 - 350 gallons and will be sitting under the tank on the floor (the stand doesn't have a bottom).