Clam Tank Thread One look at Roys new clam tank and I was instantly jealous. I had been wanting to do something like this tank would afford for some time but I thought I would have to build one myself out of acrylic. When I found out that their were two of these I had to keep up with the Sullivents and buy the second one. I am taking my time on this project doing some more elaborate things than I have in the past, just to learn something new. The frame is made out of 2x4's that are mitered in the corners and lap jointed with the sides. I had originally planed to go screwless but on second thought decided that my joinery skills aren't good enough yet to go that route. The skin of the tank will be oak which I have never worked with before. So far I like it alot more than working with soft wooded pine. I am using finger joints along the length of the corners. I made a jig that really worked out well. The rest of the cabinet will be put together with biscuit joints, but that could change too. The stand is 31" tall and 35" x 31" on the sides. The center brace was raised to come into contact with the tank and support it along its midsection. If anyone has any suggestions or comments on problems or improvements please let me know. I plan on keeping the post going as things progress.
With all the rain in the last several days I was able to spend some more time on my tank stand. I got the oak skin put on. I used 1x6's for all of this phase. They were screwed from inside using 2 inch wood screws. I used 1/4 inch oak plywood for the panels on each side of the cabinet. They slide in from the top between the mitered edges of the corner pieces. I also got two surge protectors installed on the center support out of the way of everything that will be going in there. Next week I will sand down everything that I got done today, build the door and install the pond liner in the floor of the stand.
Scuba Dog - I hope to make the one that you have a twin when you are ready for me to travel your way.
In a few weeks I hope to have the new stand for the 180s complete. Probally a month or two for tank instalation and cycling, the clam tank will be yours around october to november.
