[ckwatson]

I am starting to design my tank and would like to see what other people have to get some ideas. My tank 45 gallons and is on a metal stand. I want to build some thing that will fit around 3 sides so any pics or links that might give me some ideas would be great

thank you for the help

[e_baer]

i personally would just look at pics under google. and get some good ideas from there.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I would reconsider useing the metal stand.If you close a skimmer and a pump or two on three sides you will have built the most basic form of a speaker. You will be directing sound directly at where you are sitting. Sort of like a small amphitheater.I persoaly would start from scratch using wood and make it 4 sided.The thicker the sides the more sound deadening effect you will get.All you need for frame work are 2x4's.Make the front doors out of some kind of nice oak,cherry or maple veneered plywood.Make sure the top is well supported,thick and very level.If you have the tools to do so use coated deck screws instead of nails.Pick a nice stain for the outside and after that give it two coats of polyurethane inside and out.And take lots of pics.

[ckwatson]

Im not sure what you mean by make it 4 sided even most of the ones i have seen on here or in a store have a open back. which is what mine will have. If i do it like i was thinking it will just slide around the tank

[glampka]

Check out this site - there are a number of plans for cabinets: Do-It-Yourself Saltwater Aquariums Projects Index

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The reason I use 4 sided cabinettes is to control sound.The reason an lfs uses 3 sided cabinnettes is to make them less expensive and more saleable.To me a 3 sided cabinnette would be like a 4 wheel drive truck with three wheels lol.

[e_baer]

my cabinate has 3 1/2 sides. the back is partially open for wires and whatnot.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

The reason I use 4 sided cabinettes is to control sound.The reason an lfs uses 3 sided cabinnettes is to make them less expensive and more saleable.To me a 3 sided cabinnette would be like a 4 wheel drive truck with three wheels lol.

Now that sounds like any Ford truck on the road today, lol

[mikecarlo]

The other thing is that the size would be huge. You would really be better off with a new wood stand. what some guys are doing is getting the actual sound eleminating foam and lining the inside of the stand with it. For the most part it works better than think plywood, and it will be better for temp control. You can also find standard sized doors at home depot or lowes. i would figure out how big of doors you can get for cheap and kinda engineer around that. I know that sounds backwards but the doors will be two or three times more expensive if you get a custom size.

[ckwatson]

well this is what i came up with and it did not make it any louder, in fact it did help quite it down a little. I still need to put some more trim around the top. But it is working out great for me.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by wesley6610

Now that sounds like any Ford truck on the road today, lol

AHEM!!! My 4x4 works fine. Except the tires are a little slick right now.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by ckwatson

well this is what i came up with and it did not make it any louder, in fact it did help quite it down a little. I still need to put some more trim around the top. But it is working out great for me.

It looks like it could be fine, of course you getting it to be quiet is very important as well. What room do you have your tank in?

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by e_baer

AHEM!!! My 4x4 works fine. Except the tires are a little slick right now.

Duely noted, but what age is your Ford pick-up by the way? Is it a pre-downsized company model with that guy from Home Depot running the show?

[ckwatson]

It is in the living room, the fan on the lights is the loudest thing on the system

[wesley6610]

Okay, do you have a sump being covered up by that cabinet or just a metal stand?