250G bare bottom aquarium and stand build

[Argentum]

Hello everyone!

So FINALLY I will get to build my big tank. I always wanted a large aquarium, the largest I owned was a 70 Gallon. The price of buying a 1.8 or 2 meter ready made aquariums was prohibitive for me as they are all imported and thus very expensive.

I designed this build keeping in mind the standard size of acrylic and plywood sheets. so the design will be very cost effective as there are very little wasted cuts.

Both plywood and Acrylic sheets come in 244cm x 122cm sizes. so I am going to use the whole length and cut it in half to give me the depth and height.

The aquarium itself is going to use 2 sheets 1 and 1/2 will go for front, back and bottom the remaining half will be used for the sides and braces.

I am going to list the cutting, material and price list for this build as soon as I complete the wood work.

For now I started with the main stand (work in progress)






The final design will be composed of the main stand carrying the aquarium and two side ones. The left being the same height of the aquarium so it should be flush with the top of the tank 144cm. the one on the right will be 30 cm higher at 175 cm height.

All plumbing will be from the inside, a herbie overflow going to a sump similar to Tony's (MKD) sump and a drip system for water changes. I will add a drain at 20% height to be used in large WC for inetial grow out phase and in case I need to do any emergency large water changes.

I am considering a frosted background with back adjustable led light.

[MKD]

Great start!!!
Very Nice and always exciting to do something like this.

[Argentum]

So finally, the stand frame is done but far from complete. I still have the two side cupboards and the finishing

[Argentum]

one step further ... Still far from done, but I am working whenever I have time. Since I started my MSc. plus full time job = less time on the hobby or anything else .

I still have the left side cupboard to build then I will stain, seal and fix the doors. Then I will be able to bring in the aquarium and start working on the plumbing.

[MKD]

Look great and things moving along very well. Your filtertration will be in that cabinet?

[Argentum]

Look great and things moving along very well. Your filtertration will be in that cabinet?

Thanks
Yes

[sdrexler078]

Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project. Is that in your living room or garage. Lol my wife would kill me if I did a project like that inside

[Argentum]

Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project. Is that in your living room or garage. Lol my wife would kill me if I did a project like that inside

This will be in our living room
Actually, when it is done it will be the single largest piece of furniture, that's looking very good.

[bwssr]

Are you on a slab or is there a basement. That's allot of weight. I had a big tank up stairs and every time some one walked by it I could see it rocking a bit. It was nice having up stairs where I could see it all the time but I felt it would be better on a cement floor down stairs

[Argentum]

Are you on a slab or is there a basement. That's allot of weight. I had a big tank up stairs and every time some one walked by it I could see it rocking a bit. It was nice having up stairs where I could see it all the time but I felt it would be better on a cement floor down stairs

It is a concrete building, so it should be fine in terms of structural support

[Argentum]

I didn't have a lot of time lately to work on this build, but I have progressed a bit.

At least now I can get in the acrylic.

[we4wieners]

Nice! Though jealous, its exciting to do a project like that.

[rickztahone]

Great to see you progressing.

[JulieK]

Looking good.....can't wait to see how you progress!

[Argentum]

Does anyone know if if 10mm acrylic thickness will be okay for my tank dimensions 96"x21"x23" ?

Given that it will be euro +cross braced?