stand height

[treesprite]

Has anyone made a stand shorter than standard rather than taller? I think the standard is about 28". Does anyone have pics of a stand that is shorter than that, with a 24" tall tank on it?

 

I  have to make a stand for the 120 which is 25" high (including trim), and as it is, I can barely reach the bottom of the 75 which is 4" shorter (that stand is 29"... was gonna make it 30, but when I got it all together, it didn't work out that way, due to not accounting for 2x4 really being 1.5x3.5).

[YHSublime]

Not really, smallest I had was 30", and I hated it. Why? Because a sump barley fit, and a skimmer wouldn't. I had to plumb my sump outside the stand.

 

 

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[Brian Ward]

Yep. Can't fit anything under it and have to bend over to look in. I always like them much higher - 36" - 40" is my preference. Just get a stepstool to help you reach in.

[treesprite]

Inside size isn't an issue because I don't have sump/fuge in there.

 

I really like the thought of having the tank higher, but the reaching part is bothering me. I used to have a 24" tank, and I would have bruises from reaching in the tank. Aquascaping was a total b*(& ...  once I had to stand on my tip toes for 5 hours straight and it was no fun at all (although I was happy with the results). (Of course now that I have mentioned aquascaping, I'm wondering how I'm going to be able to keep my current arrangement which I really like... it's going to be really hard to do with these epoxied together rocks, some of which have coral encrusted on them).

[tom39]

Have you considered using a work platform. Usually they go on sale at the big box hardware stores during the holidays for about $20. I have one and use it all the time. Makes life much easier and the legs fold up for easy storage.

 

This model is discontinued at the moment but gives a good idea of what it looks like.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-20-in-Aluminum-Work-Platform-DISCONTINUED-WP-BF20/203467515

[WilRams]

My stand is 36" plus the tank height of 21".  I am 6'1" yet get my sleeves wet doing the most basic of things in my tank. So I got one of these. Works like a charm. I also use it to sit on and stare blankly at the tank.

 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60178887/

[treesprite]

Thanks for the suggestions. Something like that work platform would be nice if it was wider and was 4 feet long. I don't think the step stool is adequate because I don;t want to have to get off and move it every time I want to reach to a different spot. I am one of those people who sticks my hands in the tank more than I probably should.

[s2nhle]

If you are not putting any sump or skimmer underneath it. than you don't have to worry about how tall the stand is. Just whatever height you feel is right for you.

[n8n]

My stand (outer dimisions) is only 26" tall.  I have a 96g cube tank.  Its my understanding if the tanks width and depth is larger than a door frame they try to make height of the stand shorter than the width of a door frame so you can put it sideways and bring it in your house.

 

26" stand is about 24" inside height.

 

I can tell you short stands suck.  Very hard to crawl inside and change filter sock.  Also selection of skimmer is very hard.  There are so so so so so so so many skimmers that are way way way way way too tall to fit in short stand.

 

I have an AquaMax CS-2 rated for 350g tank.  I think its either the only or one of a very short list of skimmers that can fit in less than 24" height and is rated for 300+ gallons.

 

Now why do I need a 300g skimmer in a 100g tank, not going to argue about that lol.

 

Sumps are also very hard to work on.  My sump is 16" tall.  That allows me a wooping ... 8 inches between the top of the sump and the glass on the bottom of the display.  I literally am turning my skimmer sideways after disconnecting it from the pump if i need to take it out to clean it or anything.  Super super hard to do anything in sump.

 

As for the display, sure I can walk all the way around the display being 6 feet tall, and I can reach in my tank and touch the sand in maybe half the tank. ( can't do that with the back or the center of the tank).  How often do I have to do that?  not very often...     I have these little claw things on a stick that I usually use to grab/move things instead of reaching my paws in the tank.  

 

I think i totally would be up for using a small sturdy step stool if I could get more inches in my stand.

 

My wife has already cleared me to goto a bigger tank (we aren't exactly down to specifics yet), but I have 'authorization' for upto 72" wide, 24" deep, whatever height.  (she is inlove with the 210g @ marine scene that they have on sale).  I tried 300 DD but she clearly told me going beyond 24" may not be acceptable in living room lol.  Anyways my point is this, I really like the marineland 300 DD and it stand, but i'm horrified to find that the stand is a shorty only 24" on inside height just like my exacting 30x30 tank.  I have french doors and a clear shot to bring anything i want into my house and set it up but I don't want another short stand.  

 

Hopefully a picture clarifies things

 

See the top of the skimmer?  Now look at the two drain pipes next to it.  Hey those are bulk heads and they are BELOW the top of the skimmer height wise.

 

Now look at the base of the collection cup of the skimmer.   Compare that to the height of the sump.  Notice they are lined up?  Yup have to take the little cap off the collection cup to get it out of the sump.

 

thats why i have an external collection container for skimmer w/ quick disconnect; but i still clean the top of the skimmer once a week.   What about one of those automatic skimmer cleaners... dont even think about it lol.

 

Looks like fun eh?  -- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[s2nhle]

Yeah, short stand is a real big problem especially with skimmer and space above the sump to work with.

[treesprite]

I don't plan to put my sump under the stand, so height for it is not an issue. My sump is in a 40 breeder, which would not fit lengthwise. I was actually thinking to make a matching cabinet for it, but haven't figured out a design yet (the shutter-type doors reef addict used might be good to give ventilation to a cabinet with a sump in it).

Edited August 12, 2015 by treesprite

[s2nhle]

While you are making a stand. why do you make it a little oversize so the sump can fit in.

[treesprite]

While you are making a stand. why do you make it a little oversize so the sump can fit in.

 

I have electrical plugs and wires under there. I know a lot of people don't mind mixing electricity with water under their tanks, but I would rather not do it. I have been electrocuted before from water and electricity accidentally mixing, and it was not fun.