6 foot 155g Stand Frame

[phenom5]

I am buildin my stand for my new tank. I think I am good framing it out with 2x4s, and I am probably overbuilding it.

I am building the tank into a nook in the greatroom, and I was planning on framing it out, then only skinning the front and top with 1/2" Birch or Maple.

Should I be concerned with the stand twisting or flexing? Do I need to skin the sides?

Here's what I am looking at doing:

 

[FDdragon]

looking at your design I am assuming you will be nailing/screwing the frame to the side walls correct? it looks like the only support (other than the vertical members in the front and back) that will be supporting the weight on the sides it the two top 2x4s being attached to your wall....I don't know if there will be a nailing surface for the sides. (which would normally act as your side sheathing)

most walls studs are spaced 16" on center but in small areas like that, some contractors just put the studs on the ends. and depending on how the connected the corners you might not have a stud to nail into. I say this because you have take into consideration the thickness of the drywall and the thickness of your frame material. (in your case 2x4 which = 1 3/4 x 3 3/4) and how you connect your frame work. If you don't have somewhere to attach then, in essence, wont have side sheathing and the potential for failure. realistically i dont think your frame will buckle forward but there is always the risk since you are introducing a lot of weight. I would consider adding two vertical support on the back corners and some diagonal supports just as a safety precaution.

also, is the stand 6' or the tank? if its the tank and your stand is longer than 6' then you are looking at stud spacing of your frame at 3' in the front (based on your design)....which I would not recommend. 155gl is a lot of weight you are expecting the one stud in the middle to support. ( I know there is weight distribution and all but i'm just saying in general that it is heavy as hell). Are you adding doors?

Attached is a picture of what I was talking about when mentioning the thickness of the walls etc. Sometimes I have a hard time explaining things. LOL. if i am correct, there are not a lot of nailing options to the side walls....and if you only have one (front) center stud spaced about 3' from the next stud....with all that weight....mmmmmm...i would add a little more support.

Maybe im just nuking it but i would not want to take the risk of having all that water on my floor, damaging my house, possibly injuring anyone nearby if it fails, and killing any livestock. ive seen one slightly damaged corner on a 6' long stand and the weight of it all caused everything to tilt to that corner...and that's with all the remaining framework solid. that's just me. =) hope this makes sense and helps.

 

[phenom5]

Hey FDdragon, thanks for the input. A couple of things...

The stand will not be anchored to the walls. I know it looks like that in the drawing, but that is not accurate.

I have added additional vertical supports to the sides of the frame where the tank will be (the tank is 72" the nook is 92" BTW), as well as the back corners.

I have decided to pull it in by an inch, and skin the sides. Piece of mind for me, and it will only be another $40 - $50.

I do not want to add more vertical support on the front because I want maximum access under the tank. If the single 2x4 for that span is not enough I can go up to a 2x6 for the top frame.

 

[Shawn O]

I would guess at least a doubled-up 2x6 if not a 2x8 for that span.

 

[FDdragon]

sorry, I put out bad info earlier. 2x4s are 1.5 x 3.5....I was half asleep. ha ha

yeah, a 2x8 should support it without a center brace but since you have some center support a 2 x 6 should be fine to use as the top frame. You have more vertical support in the back and horizontal joists so that will help distribute the weight as well. I think with 2x6s and the changes you made earlier it would be fine. you could also double up the center 2x4. im really cautious when I build so I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[phenom5]

I will probably just go with 2x6s for the top, just to be safe. I am a chronic overbuilder when it comes to stands. I'd much rather overbuild than underbuild.