805mike
New member
Just placed an order for a new 40 Breeder. If everything goes as planned, it should be here in 2 weeks. So, I decided to get started on a stand. I'm building this stand for the dimensions of the 40B tank (36" x 18"), but this design will work for any tank up to about 200 gallons (provided extra support beams). Any bigger, and you'll want to either use 4x4's, or a custom steel frame. Here's what I did...
Parts List:
*Miter Saw (not shown)
*Cordless Drill
*Drill/Bitset
*Carpenters Level
*Measuring Tape (not shown)
*C-Clamp/s
*Lumber (2x4's, Kiln Dried)
*Small piece of coarse sandpaper (not shown)
*Wood Screws (9 x 2 1/2")
Step 1:
I used a miter saw (not pictured), to cut 2x4's down to the sizes I measured out for the build. I want the stand to be 36" tall, and 37" x 19". This will give me a 1/2" of play around the whole tank, while still allowing enough support surface. So for this, I cut (4) 36", (4) 37", (8) 16" pieces. I then lightly sanded the edges clean of any burs.
Step 2:
Using a hard, flat, level surface, make (2) square frames by drilling together the 16" pieces, to the inside of the 37" pieces, using (2) screws per corner. 2x4's are actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Cutting the inside pieces to 16", plus the 3" added by the (2) 2x4's, will put me at the 19" I want. Since you will be screwing pretty close together, use a small drill bit to drill pilot holes, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Step 3:
With the aide of a clamp, screw the 36" pieces to the inside of one of the frames. Easiest to place the square frame on a flat, level table. Use the Carpenters level to check for straightness as you go. Use (4) screws for each corner. (2) drilled straight through the front face, and (2) from the side.
Step 4:
Flip the stand over, and repeat this process for the other square frame. You should now have a basic looking stand.
Step 5:
Now we'll use the (4) other 16" pieces. Place these on the inside, up against the 36" pieces. This will give the stand some added rigidity. Use (2) screws, to drill them in place, from the outside face of the stand.
Step 6:
Now all we need to do is add some support beams. If you were to place a tank on this stand, as is, all the weight would be on the few screws along the perimeter. IT WILL FAIL. To support the weight of a full tank, we need (8) more support beams.
Since I ran out of wood, I will have to continue this build in a day or two. I will need to cut (8) 29" pieces, to add to the corners. These will be placed between the square frames, and parallel to the 36" pieces.
Thanks for reading, will update ASAP!!!
Parts List:
*Miter Saw (not shown)
*Cordless Drill
*Drill/Bitset
*Carpenters Level
*Measuring Tape (not shown)
*C-Clamp/s
*Lumber (2x4's, Kiln Dried)
*Small piece of coarse sandpaper (not shown)
*Wood Screws (9 x 2 1/2")
Step 1:
I used a miter saw (not pictured), to cut 2x4's down to the sizes I measured out for the build. I want the stand to be 36" tall, and 37" x 19". This will give me a 1/2" of play around the whole tank, while still allowing enough support surface. So for this, I cut (4) 36", (4) 37", (8) 16" pieces. I then lightly sanded the edges clean of any burs.
Step 2:
Using a hard, flat, level surface, make (2) square frames by drilling together the 16" pieces, to the inside of the 37" pieces, using (2) screws per corner. 2x4's are actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Cutting the inside pieces to 16", plus the 3" added by the (2) 2x4's, will put me at the 19" I want. Since you will be screwing pretty close together, use a small drill bit to drill pilot holes, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Step 3:
With the aide of a clamp, screw the 36" pieces to the inside of one of the frames. Easiest to place the square frame on a flat, level table. Use the Carpenters level to check for straightness as you go. Use (4) screws for each corner. (2) drilled straight through the front face, and (2) from the side.
Step 4:
Flip the stand over, and repeat this process for the other square frame. You should now have a basic looking stand.
Step 5:
Now we'll use the (4) other 16" pieces. Place these on the inside, up against the 36" pieces. This will give the stand some added rigidity. Use (2) screws, to drill them in place, from the outside face of the stand.
Step 6:
Now all we need to do is add some support beams. If you were to place a tank on this stand, as is, all the weight would be on the few screws along the perimeter. IT WILL FAIL. To support the weight of a full tank, we need (8) more support beams.
Since I ran out of wood, I will have to continue this build in a day or two. I will need to cut (8) 29" pieces, to add to the corners. These will be placed between the square frames, and parallel to the 36" pieces.
Thanks for reading, will update ASAP!!!
