DIY Stand Engineering

[mpdharley]

I'm building a new acrylic tank which will be 6' x 4' x 2' (approx 360 gallons). I've designed the stand but wanted to get some input on the structural parts of it as well as any other suggestions.

My goal with the vertical supports was to not only support the tank, but to also have one wide opening for getting things under (or out from underneath) the tank. On the short side (not shown), I'll have one vertical support at 2'.

Here are the pics:

Top View of the stand

Side Views

Thanks, in advance for all suggestions/comments.

Mike

 

[thesaent14]

hello

i only use vertical in the center and i have a stand wich the hi is eye level is around 45" hi you just have to know exactli whre is the center and use it as a support in betuen the top and bottom this pic will give you a good idea i tink

i have 4 door 2 on each side of the stand my tank is a island so i have more room i tink to work on it i love it to cus give more otions and room for coral 2 windos

check out the video
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/thesaent14/my diy/?action=view&current=100_0608.flv

 

[mpdharley]

Thanks for the pics. I would love to only have a center vertical brace. My fear though is that it only supporting it at 3 feet would not be enough for a 360 gallon tank.

 

[Biggie]

If you have the option build it out of steel its well worth it in the end giving more room and stronger construction. Then you can minimize your vertical supports and make larger entry doors which is priceless for maintance. To say if you have the option and the resources that is. Not everyone does. If you need some ideas on steel stand construction check out Sidewinders 375 project post. He built a beautiful steel stand with integrated hood thats just amazing. Also you may even consider the super strong and definatly sturdy block and "I" beam designs I ve seen. That design gives way to no verticals under it and is about the strongest Ive ever seen. Sheathing it has to be creative though. Good luck.

 

[mpdharley]

Unfortunately, steel is not an option for me. Is the I beam design a wood design? Do you have any links for reference?

 

[jmait769]

mpdharley â€"œ This may help. You can just dimension it to your liking. I used 2X6 sandwiched together like door or window dormers like in home construction for the top. The legs are first constructed forming an angle then you attach the 2X6’s to them. If the tank is 6 feet X 4 feet I would add another set of 2X6’s down the center. It would be a heavy stand however.

Jay

 

[mpdharley]

It might not be clear from my drawing, but the stand will have two sets of 2x4 vertical supports. My only concern was the spacing of the vertical supports since I wanted one wide opening (30 inches) to use for getting things in and out from underneath stand.

jmait769 -- From what you are saying though, is if I use 2x6's then I may only need one vertical support at the center (4 foot mark), correct?

That would indeed provide me with a wide opening

 

[jmait769]

Yes. I believe that would be plenty of support as long as you doubled the 2X6's per the drawing. I will try and take some pictures of my stand tonight to give you a better view of the construction.

Jay

 

[mpdharley]

Great, thanks!

 

[jmait769]

OK Here is the pics. As you can see I’m still in the progress of completing this. The stand is 4 ft X 2 ft. The legs are 35 in high. All double jointed pieces are glued and screwed together. I did not double the legs on mine but you may consider this on yours. Hope this better explains it.

80 Gallon Tank:

Hope this helps you.

Jay

 

[mpdharley]

Thanks, that does help.

Mike