180g stand and canopy build/first tryat woodworking

[smonhart923]

Just bought a 180 g tank from a guy off craigslist and decided to try and build a stand by myself. Went out and got a miter saw as an early christmas present
. Still have to add a middle brace but was wondering if I should put one in the front and back.

 

[reefermad619]

With 2x4s you'll need a center brace.

 

[smonhart923]

Yeah I had to run out to buy a couple more 2x4, but will I need to put a center brace in the front and the back

 

[reefermad619]

I would. There's a DIY build here that says a 2x4 can support 48" span and up to ~90 gallons without needing a center brace.

 

[davocean]

Yes, definitely do a center brace front and back.
On my builds I make the front brace removable by using only screws to attach, that way you have space to get in there and play around w/ gear before filling tank.
Everything else I use tightbond 3 and gold coated screws.
Are you going to add a subtop?
I always add a 3/4" ply top.

 

[smonhart923]

Thanks for the replies, been a lot of help. Do I need to have a sub top and will it help with support for the bottom glass?

 

[reefermad619]

Is the tank rimless or rimmed? A ply top also help to gets things planar. Lowes/HD wood is not the best and is often warped, unless you took the time to dig thru the piles.

 

[smonhart923]

Tank is rimmed

 

[reefermad619]

Then a ply top is not needed. But you might try it both ways. Put the tank on the stand with no ply top. Then run a piece of paper between the tank and stand. This is to see if there are gaps. If there's gaps, remember where they are and how much of a gap there is. Then add the ply tol and repeat. When I did this to my stand, the gaps decreased significantly. Check my old build thread if you want. My stand had some pretty big gaps.

 

[davocean]

I like a ply top not only to help level things out, but also as a means to kind of stitch everything together, make it all structurally supportive, gains overall strength.

 

[Tarkin]

I'd also check to see if the "rim" is "level" as well... It's likely might not be.

later