Oak stand Im building

[cpllongjk]

This is the new stand Im building for my 57g Illuminata tank.
The stand is approx 38x20x32h and will house a tank with dimensions of 36.5x18.5x21 (including the bottom frame).

The entire stand is made from Oak hardwood and just a bit of 3/4" oak plywood. The oak plywood is on the sides, in the back and on the floor.
I ended up using screws instead of nails for the tank support. I thought, "If I use nails and this thing falls through Ill be mad," so I decided to go the safer route even though the inside of the stand doesnt look optimal.

The doors and bottom molding is next but will be another week or so. I havent really decided on how to do the doors yet. I cant wait to stain it but I guess itll have to wait till all the sanding is done.
I also need to find a way to do the electronics, waiting on a few things like DJ Powerstrip and such.
I plan to have everything put together by summer.

[cpllongjk]

If anyone has any ideas for a light rack Im open to suggestions? I have yet to design or think of one. My light is a 6bulb ATI Sunpower, and the tank is rimless so the fixture must hang. I dont know if I can mount it from the ceiling so a light rack will be my best option.

[wonrib00]

What size sump are you going with? Drop it in and keep it there? I used the mounting brackets that Current offers. They are adjustable. I know Peter had some brackets that he was selling, not sure if he still has them.

[cpllongjk]

Im going to use a 20L sump, yep drop in and keep it there is the plan. The sump just has enough room for my equipment; ATB 840 Skimmer, ZeoReactor, and a Eheim 1260 retrun pump. I was very very tight on room. It was actually a perfect fit including baffles. I was getting scared when putting the sump together.

Whatever I do must look good because my wife is the boss. I was thinking about using solid oak hardwood strips to hang the light but dont know if they would be strong enough. My thinking was if I came up straight about 3 feet above the tank and out 9-10" from the back I could use an angle cut piece between them to support the weight. My worry is that the wood would bend over time?

[thompsontwins]

go ZEOVIT
GET A CABINET MAKER TO MAKE THE DOORS OR GET THEM FROM THE HOME DEPOT, THAT ARE MADE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS

[cpllongjk]

Im actually making the doors myself too. But I wont be able to do everything I want because I dont have a routing table. I have a router but no table.
I plan on zeovit, I ended up getting the 2L Korallen-Zucht reactor from Mark at 7seas a few days ago. He had it priced at 100 under new and thought it would be a good buy for future use.
Ive never done zeovit before so I think it will be intersting.

[DML08]

I thought this was a good buy, and comes with basic 4, this is starting to get the wheels turning on my end!..
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...ath=86_154_479

[cpllongjk]

From what ive read and heard zeovit takes the upmost care. Any negligence and your tank will take a turn for the worse very easily. The thing I love most about zeovit is the ability to grow natural and healthy food for my SPS. Also the ability to have 0 nutrients. The only thing I am going to hate is the upkeep. But I was told that the only thing that needs to be replaced regurarly is the food (3 month expiration date). Other than that all those little bottles that cost and arm and a leg seem to last forever. "I HOPE!"