Metal Stand "Skirt"

[tstevens]

Anyone know of a link or post for a DIY skirt or covering for a standard metal frame tank stand found at any LFS? I know I've seen something like that on the web before but my searches have been fruitless.

[nickb]

Something like these two?

http://www.homestead.com/geosreef/diystand.html

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227821

[tstevens]

Excellent, thanks a bunch, the reefcentral link is exactly what I was looking for!

I'll post some pics when I'm done - it'll look good with the 65g tank and stand I paid $90 for :)

[Dez]

I built a skirt for the 150 that I had...

look under www.members.shaw.ca/reefs

look under dez and you'll see... I used magnets to attach it to the metal stand so that I could have full access..

des

[Quinn]

Dez probably had the slickest DIY stand cover I've ever seen. I tried to copy it but I'm not as adept with tools. :smile:

[Vagabond]

I'm with Dez on the magnets. :cool:

I used them to attach the front and sides to my metal stand. I appreciate the easy full access. Part of the beauty of a steel stand is how liitle space the frame takes up and I wanted to take full advantage. The magnets work great for that :mrgreen:

[tstevens]

Hey Dez,

Thanks for the link, sweet tank! What material did you use for the paneling? Is that Oak Plywood? And do you ever have issues with the weight of the pannels sliding down the metal on the stand?

Thanks for the input!

Troy Stevens

[Dez]

Troy,

I used half inch oak plywood. I didn't have a problem with the weight of the wood slipping down the stand because the wood itself rests on the floor. The magnets are just to prevent the panels from falling away from the stand, so there is basically no force against the magnet at all..

I hope this helps..

Des

[Cap'n]

Hey Dez, I want to build a stand covering similar to yours but I'm concerned about the dog, children or drunken guest knocking the panels off onto themselves. Do you have any way or suggestions of preventing the magnets from letting go from the accidental bump?

Anyone else have an idea?

Thanks,
Cpt Cautious

[Dez]

Hey there,

We have 2 dogs and the magnets are actually very strong, you have to have a good grip to even pull the panels off. I hate handles or knobs, so I opted to go without,

Get your magnets from Lee Valley tools, very strong, countersink and epoxy them into your wood. Don't get the regular cabinet magnets from Rona or Home Depot, they don't do too much unless you put a ton of them on.

Hope this helps.

des

[Dabbler]

You can get the "cups" for the magnets and they will hold better. You could glue those in or even screw them on, some have holes in them for this purpose.

http://www.leevalley.com/images/icon/woodworking/99k3800g3.jpg
Rare-Earth Circular Magnets

http://www.leevalley.com/images/icon/woodworking/99k3800g4.jpg
Cups, Discs and Washers for Rare-Earth Magnets

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.asp?page=42348&category=3,42363&ccurrency=1&SID=

[EmilyB]

After you have purchased the magnets, do not walk to close to the shelves... :eek:

We put ours in the back of the van and there was this huge crash as they sought out the metal door...... :lol: