I have been building a stand for a 65 Gal Reef Ready tank for a while and nearing completion. I cannot find pics of the build progress so Here it is as currently sits. The frame is treated 4X4’s. I decided to use an entertainment stand for the doors and side panels & top. I originally did not plan on this but It was free and rather than the hassle of dragging it to Goodwill I figured re-purposing it was better. So I chopped it to fit my measurements and installed new hinges. I will be changing the handles to Brass seahorses that I special ordered for this. (If I can find where I put them.) :
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: I had originally planned this stand (when building the frame) to use for a 40 gallon breeder tank, planted freshwater. So I did not Give extra clearance for the bulkheads. When I changed my mind to use the 65 RR I raised the top of the surface about 3/4" or so given the thickness of the top (another 3/4") and maybe a 1/2" of the bottom rim of the tank it is still only 2.0" which is very tight. To compensate I am thinking some creative work with a hole saw will be in order to make room for an elbow(s) to the drain and return. At this stage I really don’t want to re-do the frame and even if I have to take a good chunk out of it there should be enough meat left to be stable and strong. I have also used 3" angle brackets to secure all the joints. Looking back in retrospect I would have done it differently but this has been an evolving side project for quite some time. A big abcd to the link to the D.I.Y. stand construction page I found here. This is where the idea was first born for me.