40 breeder - open concept DIY stand?

[sneeyatch]

Hey all -

I'm going to be setting up a 40 breeder sooner than later and am going to be making my own stand. I've seen the rocket engineer plans and stuff and have also seen people using plywood only as stands.

My thoughts are - and would like opinions on whether this is safe to do or not - would be to use 2" x 2" hardwood (poplar or oak - whatever is available at Lowes, etc) as an open concept style skeleton frame. Might even go to 3" x 3" (which is 2-1/2" x 2-1/2").

The tank will be sumpless - extremely simple so the only thing would be the 40 on top. Below would be for whatever the wide wants for decoration. No doors, no side panels, but i'm not opposed to having a back panel to help conceal wiring and mounting electrical items, etc - would also help prevent some racking.

So thoughts? I don't really want to go with the typical 2" x 4" DIY pine / stud frame - looking to do something different.

 

[sneeyatch]

This is what I was thinking with the frame - I would add a back panel and bottom panel (shelf).

 

[billdogg]

I would consider adding some corner braces just to help prevent racking, but otherwise you'll be fine.

 

[gargoylenest]

Personally, I wouldn't put all that weight on 4 legs

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

There will not be a wood strength issue if you choose the stock correctly and join it well. Racking would be a major concern, a back only stabilizes one axis.

If you're serious, steel would be a much better choice for something this minimal.

 

[saveafish]

Add a sheet of plywood to the back. This will add so much stability.. think of the put together walmart partical board shelving. Just that cardboard on the back how it adds to the structure.. Just adding 3/8" or 1/2" plywood to the back will do wonders.

 

[sneeyatch]

There will be a plywood top panel for the tank to sit on, a plywood back panel to conceal wiring, and mount stuff to and a plywood panel on the bottom set of stringers to make a shelf for whatever. Should stop any racking issues.

I've gone back and think I want to add another set of stringers at the bottom, allowing for 2 shelves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Daddi0]

If you have shelves, you are going to want to put stuff on them? We were toying with the "open" concept for our 100 gallon but ended up finishing with doors and sides to hide the pumps and supplies. We also added wheels and hid them with a wood trim. In the future, all my tanks will be on wheels.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Member No. 1]

Personally, I wouldn't put all that weight on 4 legs

Care to elaborate as to why.

 

[sneeyatch]

yeah - originally I wanted just the framing look like a steel stand (I would actually do that if I had the capabilities to do it), then decided to add the top, back and shelf panels. I'd leave the sides open. My wife could put knick-knacks or whatever on the shelves since there would be no sump or under-tank filtration or anything. I can conceal the electrical outlets and cables and stuff somewhere and it still be accessible. I guess if I really NEED to, I can add side panels, but the open shelving / framing matches a lot of the other decor in the house.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I like the idea and think it'll look good. If you can do good joinery it should be fine, with the extra panels to help keep it stable.

 

[Member No. 1]

My open concept stand, held a deep Blue 80 Gallon Breeder 48"x24"x16"

Originally this was going in my basement, hence the sloppy workmanship (I didn't construct it) but it ending up in the man cave for over 3 years.

Stand was made of 4"x4"(3-1/2x3-1/2) for the legs, the top rails were 2"x6" (1-1/2x5-1-2) milled to 5" to square the edges and to true any bows. The bottom rails 2"x4" were milled to 3" for the same reasons.
The legs were milled as seen to support the top rails, same for the bottom rails.

The top was 3/4" plywood, the bottom shelf was 1/2". Neither were secured, they were laid on top of the rails.

This stand was rock solid, and had no problem holding the 80 gallons.

That's a 40 breeder under it. I was going to use that as a sump,
but I ended up purchasing a Trigger Sump.

 

[sneeyatch]

Very nice! Almost exactly what I am looking to do - just beefier

 

[Member No. 1]

Very nice! Almost exactly what I am looking to do - just beefier

Hence my post!

Feel free to plagiarize!

If you need more info, let me know.

FYI... The 80 and wood stand was replaced with this.

New 120 set-up

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25474818&postcount=2227