2x4's for stands?

L

lps keeper

Member
Hello,
I've noticed a lot of people use 2x4's to make DIY stands for their tanks. Aren't 2x4's known to warp when exposed to moisture? How is this avoided? Or am I wrong in saying this?
Thanks
 
All wood can warp w/ excessive moisture.
Many people do seal theirs w/ primer or clear, but even raw 2x's will hold just fine if built correctly.
 
So by following the design for a stand on the thread in this DIY section, I should be able to make a stand that will last long?
Thanks
 
In most cases 2x4s are over kill. I used 2x3s, 2x2s, and 1xs for my stand. It has to support about 400 lbs but I have no doubt it can support 4 times that much.
 
SoFloReefer said:
In most cases 2x4s are over kill. I used 2x3s, 2x2s, and 1xs for my stand. It has to support about 400 lbs but I have no doubt it can support 4 times that much.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can get by w/ less if you know what you are doing and what to look for in lumber.
Most 2x2's are not fit for framing material, many have what we call spike knots, which could spell disaster.
If someone is on here asking how to's I usually assume they are not a pro, so I usually advise what is safest.
2x4's are very forgiving for someone not experienced.
I don't understand why people feel the need to go minimal on the foundation for what most of us spend thousands sometimes on livestock.
In saving space you may have gained like an inch and a half, I really don't understand why some people stress on this issue.
 
Yes, I have to agree with that. I did spend more time and care picking out my lumber then I usually do. I made sure it didn't have knots or a bad grain structure. Perhaps more important than the quality or the lumber is the way it is joined together.
The reason I didn't use 2x4s is I feel that they give a stand a look similar to a garage work bench; rough and utilitarian. I wanted my stand to look as much like furniture as my limited skill and use of pine would allow.
Check out the video of my stand build. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O3nru2n9Ek&list=UUBkBANgn5AQJ1b7qHi3-ZVA&index=4&feature=plcp
 
Yeah, if you stop at the 2x4 frame that looks garage, but you can always skin it later.
I deal w/ two types of people most often, those on a budget, or those in a hurry, so I started doing this, build a frame, get em going.

Mynew150gstarfire046-1.jpg


When time and budget allows I skin them w/ a 3 sided cabinet face, and since I started doing it this way I like it, because I can attach it solid, but I can still pull it off completely if I need full access for some reason like a sump swap or whatever.
Mine is a little more detailed of an extra step since this is what I do and use hardwood, but you could sub ply for this.
These seem furniture grade to me.
But I agree for a smaller tank like your build minimal material is fine and maybe called for, most of my builds are medium or bigger tanks where solid frames are more called for.

Jessysbuild025.jpg


Brandnew180208.jpg


octocab021.jpg


octocab007.jpg
 
I painted all of my 2x4 2x6 with a water sealant paint before I started building the stand and then had to only paint the cut ends as I made cuts. After I was finished with the stand I put another coat on the whole stand, worked out pretty good for me.
 
Pressure treated 2x4's will be fine. For added security/protection from moisture, you could always add Killz or a polyurethane.

-Steve
 
sbeason said:
Pressure treated 2x4's will be fine. For added security/protection from moisture, you could always add Killz or a polyurethane.

-Steve
Click to expand...

Do not use pressure treated lumber on your stand. It has a tendency to shrink and twist as it dries.
 
Even for that 200 gallon that structure is seriously overbuild. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. That skin is really nice. One day I hope I can build nice joints like that.
The pressure treated is a bad idea. Like previously said polyurethane will totally seal wood. I sometime have a little water puddle on my stand when doing maintenance and even when it sits, I just wipe it away with no harm done. Besides for the fact that pressure treated is usually not strait and it warps as it dries, they use arsenic and other nasty chemicals to make that wood resistant to anything that would want to eat it. I wouldn't want those nasties near a saltwater tank.
 
Thanks for all the comments and advice, I think I may pick the route of doing a plywood stand as it is only a 30gallon tank, and anyways, right now the tank is sittting on an MDF stand from the lfs:s
Thanks again
 
To be clear, I'm not suggesting 2x is better than plywood (I'm a fan of plywood). Just linking that thread here for the sake of completeness, in case others thinking about 2x stands see this thread and are looking for references.
 
Yeah on smaller tanks 2x may not be practical.
I do not advise using pressure treated, that has a copper based chemical injected(copper sulfate?) and I would be concerned w/ any chems leaching, JMO.
 
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