6 foot stand build material for acrylic tank

Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.
 
Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.
Thanks sk8r.. its a 6 x 2 x 2

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Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.
Waterproof the 3/4 and the 2 x 4s? Or just 3/4 ply?

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Waterproof everything including the screw heads once seated. Water finds a way, and it will disintegrate wood. Work spent sealing and curing that stand on all surfaces will mean you will not get hit with trouble later in splashover or salt creep or spills or outright overflows that can weaken your stand. You're going for a 6 foot length and mega problems if you find one corner of your stand starting to go soft.
 
Should be. If you want to be doubly sure of your uprights staying 'true' do a triangle insert on either side of the joint just a triangular shape cut by cutting a square of 2x4 diagonally in half. This way you've got 6 nails stabilzing that joint instead of 2. And I would not do just 4 uprights (at corners). You need two or three supporting your doors, and sufficient braces on the back side of that 6 foot run. Liquid Nails on those joints couldn't hurt, in addition to the regular steel ones. Note: I tend to overbuild, but likewise I don't have things warp out and skew---I am NOT a carpenter, understand, but I've gone a lot of household remodel. One item that worked super well for me: I got a piece of preformed kitchen formica countertop that serves well for a rimmed and utterly water and chemical proof top that gives me a little 'lip' for my tank (in this case my sump, which is freestanding in the basement) and lets me set test materials and whatnot down. If you have a freestanding sump, it is a very good, easy top. Wouldn't advise it for the main tank, however: sleek is better.
 
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