Advise Needed - Please Critique My Stand Design

B

BodiBuilt

Premium Member
How much of a span can safely be achieved using dual 2x6 side-by-side supported by a 4x4? The reason I ask is I have built my own stand to support a 280g 72x30x30 and I made an unobstructed opening in the front that spans 54.5" for easy sump installation/access. Is that going to be okay?
Thanks for your advise - Dave
 
A couple pics would probably be helpful... :p

Mainly my question is: Is the unobstructed 54.5" span in the front of the stand able to provide sufficiant support to hold the weight of a 280g aquarium with sand and rock in it?

280stand018.jpg
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280stand2002.jpg
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280stand2001.jpg
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Dave, that stand will totally hold your tank no problem. My 168g 54x30x24 stand has a 40" span with what is equivelant to a single 2x6. I would put plywood on the back and sides for shear strength.
Go ahead and get that tank up there!
Keith
 
I would be concerned you do not have any support down the middle of the top or from front to back supporting the top. 30" is way to wide to rely on plywood alone for support.
 
"For peace of mind I'd put a brace down the middle."

This is not needed at all. The only parts of a tank that need to be supported are the four corners and we can all see, these could support the weight of two of his tanks.

Josh
 
I would agree with Josh if it is a glass tank as from my understanding you really only need to support the edges. If it is acrylic my understanding is that you have to fully support the bottom of the tank as the weight/stress of the tank is distributed to the entire bottom.
 
Even with an acrylic tank he has the headers. People under estimate how much weight one of these can support. I have a friend that works in construction and he stated the same thing.

Josh
 
I would just be worried about the bottom acrylic bowing and placing undue stress on the tank causing a failure of the tank months - years down the line. Every Acrylic tank manufacture I have ever seen always requires a fully supported bottom of their tank and 3/4" plywood is not strong enough to span 30" without bowing.

Dave, If you tank is acrylic go over to the DIY forums and post on there and ask. There are a few acrylic fabricators in that forum and they will give you their expert opinion.
 
you should build it like you build a deck, add cross braces on the top to help hold the frame together...and if it is an acrylic tank, you should have the support under the plywood. Acrylic will bow on a 30" span, I would suggest at least 2 cross braces. I have 8 of them under my 450g 8'x36" tank as was required by the mfg. to warranty the tank!
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.
I have already cut (5) braces
that will be installed supporting the plywood, I just have not actually installed them yet because I do not have the tank yet and I want to make sure I dont put them in the way of where the plumbing needs to go. I will also be sheeting the exterior and fabing one large removable door in the front. I just drove 400mi to pick up the tank tomorrow morning! : )
 
Made it back from my 850+mi round trip to pick up the new tank!
Heres a shot of the tank and my buddy
pickuptank003.jpg
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All loaded up and ready for transport
pickuptank004.jpg
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Now that I have the tank I can complete the stand :D

Next step: Save$ for plumbing!
 
Nice tank, you should start an official BodiBuilt 280g thread. Cant wait to see it all set up. My GF isnt very happy with me for selling the tank.
 
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