120gal diy stand question

[mrdanielface]

Hello, I'm Daniel and I'm pretty new to the hobby. I recently acquired a 120gal tank and stand from a local guy. I'm a woodworking hobbyist as well and decided that the stand I got in the deal wouldn't work for me so I built a new one.

My question is, will this stand work with the weight of a 120gal tank? Mind you there is no center brace but it is skinned in 1/2 ply and frame is made with 2x4.

[emoji481] [emoji481]

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Mods, can you please release this from the Spam blocker?

Thanks

 

[mrdanielface]

Oh is that why I'm not able to view my post?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[mcgyvr]

Oh is that why I'm not able to view my post?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

This is a response from a moderator on this board about whats probably happening to you.. I wish they would inform new users of this (maybe they do but I sure haven't seen it)

Quote from "Misled -Jesse"

When a user with less than ten posts puts a link in a thread, it gets flagged by the spam filter. I go through it every evening and release the ones that aren't.

 

[mrdanielface]

i guess that helps with the clutter. im almost at 10 posts. thanks for the help guys.

 

[A sea K]

Is your DT glass or acrylic? If its glass then I think it would be fine but the opening in the front will need central support if its acrylic IMO.
I'm just your average joe DIY'er so lets see what others have to say as well.

 

[fishgate]

It doesn't look to me like there is any front support at all. Am I seeing that correctly? If that top front piece of wood is laid on it's side, it doesn't provide proper structural support (if any).

If not, modify the top rails of the stand to be 2x6s and then you will not need any center supports.

 

[billdogg]

It doesn't look to me like there is any front support at all. Am I seeing that correctly? If that top front piece of wood is laid on it's side, it doesn't provide proper structural support (if any).

If not, modify the top rails of the stand to be 2x6s and then you will not need any center supports.

Although 2x4's offer more than enough support for a tank that size, they need to be placed on edge, not laying flat. That appears to be an acrylic tank, so it will need to be supported properly along it's entire bottom. The top of the stand, in it's current form, does not do that.

 

[fishgate]

Although 2x4's offer more than enough support for a tank that size, they need to be placed on edge, not laying flat. That appears to be an acrylic tank, so it will need to be supported properly along it's entire bottom. The top of the stand, in it's current form, does not do that.

The support will be there (it won't fail) but wouldn't there be a lot of deflection creating a bow? My 48" 120 gallon has a 6x6 beam framing the top (not my build) and my 72" 125g has a 2x6 frame. I also use 3/4" plywood under the tank and on the right and left sides.

 

[billdogg]

If it is a standard glass tank with plastic trim (as most tanks are), it needs support under the 4 corners only. My 6' 150's stand was made using 2x4's with 2 front supports ~12" in from the ends, so a 4' span with no support, My old 120 had nothing but corner posts and you could have parked a Mack truck on it. 2x6 is overkill on 99% of the stands built. The stand could easily be built without the 2x framing at all, using the plywood alone if it is properly joined.

The OP's stand as built is probably sufficient for a standard framed tank only because of the plywood on the top front, and then only if it is well fastened to the underlying 2x4, thereby providing the extra stiffness that it needs. If it is (as it appears) an acrylic tank, then it needs increased support under it's entirety, not just the perimeter. One 2x, on it's side, offers very little support and will bow over time even with the plywood on top. That will lead to the tank failing.

jm.02

 

[mrdanielface]

Thanks for the input everyone.
Yes the tank is acrylic. The front top 2x4 is on its side as I tried to maximize the size opening in the front. But I think I see what you guys are saying about deflection in acrylic materials. I just wanted to see if it was sufficient enough to keep the stand as is.

For a follow up questions. If I placed another 2x4 vertically in the front will that be sufficient enough?

 

[billdogg]

You also need a couple of braces across the middle to support the weight of the tank there. Although the plywood seems plenty stiff, it will sag fairly quickly once the weight of the tank is on it. Those braces need to be placed upright as well, not laying flat like the one you have. What most do to maximize space inside the stand is just build it a few inches higher to negate the vertical height of the upright 2x's

 

[Ron Reefman]

When you think your stand is ready to use, do a test first. Set the stand and the tank up outside, maybe on the driveway. Then fill the tank with water. Since you are into woodworking, I'm sure you have a good long straight edge, so check the top of the stand for sag. If you get any deflection over the first day (24 hours) the stand will not hold up long term.

 

[mrdanielface]

Hello guys, so I finally got the tank up and i did put in the center brace for the front. I did a test fill to see if there was any changes on the stand from the actual weight of water in it and it was a great success.

Here's a picture.

 

[RobZilla04]

Looks nice. I like the clean lines.