DIY 30 gallon stand question

[BonesCJ]

I am going to build my own stand for a 30 extra tall (24 x 12 footprint). I am going to follow rocket engineers plan but wanted to check the boards I plan to use.

I hope to build it with no center bracing, if i use 2 x 6's for the top horizontal boards and 2 x 4's for the legs should I be able to avoid putting in a center brace?

 

[A sea K]

Chris K here as well! I'm no engineer but I would think that would be way more than sufficient.

 

[RocketEngineer]

At that size I would recommend 1X4s instead, no need to go 2X4s for something that small. Just make sure you account for the fact that a 1X is only 0.75" wide instead of the 1.5" for a 2X board.

 

[BonesCJ]

Question then, what thickness of Ply would you recommend then to skin it? and would regular pine work for a 1x4 or does it need to be a hardwood?

 

[A sea K]

Question then, what thickness of Ply would you recommend then to skin it? and would regular pine work for a 1x4 or does it need to be a hardwood?

Pine is fine, just be sure to use a select grade that is straight and free of bad knots in the wood. As for skinning I would use 1/4. Its thick enough to withstand some use/abuse and it will add more strength to the overall piece once properly fitted to the stand frame.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Why not just build it out of five pieces of 3/4" plywood to being with? If you can cut a decent edge, its much easier and stronger going that route.

 

[BonesCJ]

will that work for that size tank? I worry about the 300 lbs of weight on such a small footprint (12 x 24). If I did got that route would it work if the stand was 32 inches tall? Would it be a top piece, a front piece, 2 side pieces and a bottom piece?

 

[A sea K]

Why not just build it out of five pieces of 3/4" plywood to being with? If you can cut a decent edge, its much easier and stronger going that route.

This is certainly true but takes a little more knowledge on building and a little more thought on putting the whole thing together. Easy enough for sure if you have prior building skills but certainly do-able with a little extra thought and care in making the structure.

will that work for that size tank? I worry about the 300 lbs of weight on such a small footprint (12 x 24). If I did got that route would it work if the stand was 32 inches tall? Would it be a top piece, a front piece, 2 side pieces and a bottom piece?

My 210 I just broke down has been sitting on a stand made entirely of 3/4" plywood(72X24). It really made me nervous the first few years. It had over 500lbs of live rock alone not to mention the weight of the water and tank itself so yes, it will hold it just fine. FYI, the header beams are only about 4" and it has a open span of 24" in the front center of the cabinet for 2 doors, the cabinet itself is roughly 40" tall.

 

[BonesCJ]

I like the Idea of using Ply because of the look and the less space that it takes up in a small stand. What I think I will do is use 3/4 in Oak ply and use 1 x 4 legs and cross beam that will be attached to the front and back panels.

My question is how big can I make the openings in the front and back panels? The stand will be 25 inches wide x 13 inches deep and 32 inches tall and I want to get a 15 gallon sump underneath (20 x 10 x 18). I just worry that if I have to leave 4 inches of ply on all sides of the opening I will not have enough space to get the sump in and out.

 

[JSimpson]

Here is a link to a stand I made entirely out of 3/4" plywood. It's for a 20H, which is only 24" wide vs. your 36", but would be plenty strong to do what you want. As you stated, one nice benefit is the increased amount of room inside the cabinet. I built mine to look more like a bookcase, but you could easily eliminate the middle shelf and add doors for a traditional stand.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2372884