DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Thanks Rocket, when you have the chance would love to get your opinion on whether or not i should reinforce the floor underneath the tank. This is a link to my build

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1324377

 

[nova62]

thanks RocketEngineer the cubby on the end is for the chiller i didnt want it to be on the outside of the stand.yes doors are in the works but im not going to hinge them i am using magnets to hold the panels on.

 

[jeddy576]

I am going to build a stand for a 20L It measures 30X12X12. I want to have more space under my tank for a sump so I was thinking of making the stand 40X16X36. Do i just add 2X4's on the top frame where the tank will sit?

Thanks

 

[chrisqueenz]

Well I was worried about the weight of the tank with water, but feel condident now. I have started to build and will post pics of the frame which is done

 

[chrisqueenz]

Here is the stand for my 260 gallon tank, I am worried about the 2x4's I used for thae top end of the stand, will it hold? I went with 2x6's for the legs. It feels real sturdy but would like some feedback..

[/IMG]

 

[drpo21]

this thread is really good, though not too many people comment on the 4x4s
i have a 112 gallon half pentagon (48" in back, 36" in front, 22" wide and 28" high
i have been designing plans for the past couple weeks to make my own stand and was thinking about using 4x4s for pretty much the whole thing. now that i am reading this, it most likly will be wayy overkill for just a 112g tank not to mention how heavy it would be. though the tank is high not long like you guys have it so i was thinking does this make a diffrence in the stability in the legs if i decide on using 2x4s instead of the 4x4s? is it cheaper and easier to use with 2x4s? the tank is about 200lbs it self possibly more. i plan on starting this stand sometime in the next couple weeks.
thanks
Aaron

 

[rocketlily]

I'd like to see your plans for this 112 gal. My tank (99 gal approx) is also not a standard shape and the front corners have me baffled. I was thinking of 2x4 bottom, 2x4 legs and 2x6 top.

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11936553#post11936553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisqueenz
Here is the stand for my 260 gallon tank, I am worried about the 2x4's I used for thae top end of the stand, will it hold? I went with 2x6's for the legs. It feels real sturdy but would like some feedback..

[/IMG]

Do you feel like you could of gotten away without a center brace if you had used 2x6 or 2x8 beams on the top under the tank ?

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11943543#post11943543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drpo21
this thread is really good, though not too many people comment on the 4x4s
i have a 112 gallon half pentagon (48" in back, 36" in front, 22" wide and 28" high
i have been designing plans for the past couple weeks to make my own stand and was thinking about using 4x4s for pretty much the whole thing. now that i am reading this, it most likly will be wayy overkill for just a 112g tank not to mention how heavy it would be. though the tank is high not long like you guys have it so i was thinking does this make a diffrence in the stability in the legs if i decide on using 2x4s instead of the 4x4s? is it cheaper and easier to use with 2x4s? the tank is about 200lbs it self possibly more. i plan on starting this stand sometime in the next couple weeks.
thanks
Aaron

It's been discussed many times (in other threads if not this one too), that 4x4s are a bad idea as they tend to warp. So they're actually not overkill, but a weaker design. I know it's been discussed here that 2x4s vertical are plenty strong to hold ANY tank. 200lbs + 110 gallons of water (~1100 lbs) is nothing to a structural member that can... 1 page back,

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11902365#post11902365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
Each of the 2X4 legs (purple pieces in the original template) can take something like 16000 pounds straight down. SO, the main problem becomes how to get the loads from the tank into the legs. The stand will hold much more the most folks realize.

And remember this design incorporates 8 of them as legs. That's 128,000 lbs or 64 tons. People can either simply choose to believe these numbers as quoted by an engineer who has done the math or not.

Neither provide great lateral support though (2x4s or 4x4s). It will be sufficient, but the typical way to provide it and prevent racking is a skin of plywood. Even 1/4" will suffice.

I wish I had a scale I could put my stand on. It's hold a 36x18" tank (40 breeder or 65 gallon) and it's built with 1x4 legs and 1/4" oak plywood skin. It's plenty strong, overkill compared to typical manufactured stands, but it could be lifted and carried with one hand given a place to hold it.

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11902607#post11902607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rocketlily
What an incredible thread. My new tank will be here soon and I would like to use this thread as a guide for building my stand. The tank is approx 97 gal and a pentagon shape. It will fit in a corner, with the 2 back sides being 40" long, coming out at a right angle walls 10" long and approx 42" across the front for viewing area.

Has anyone built a stand this shape? Can any one make any recommendations as to whether I should use 2x4's or 2x6's on the top. I would prefer not to have a centre support in the front.

Any suggestions anyone can make would be very much appreciated.

The width of the top supports (2x4 vs 2x6) is chosen by the length of the span. Up to 4' use 2x4s, 4-6' use 2x6s, 6-8' use 2x8s, and so on. And the length of any span is just the distance between 2 legs. If your largest span is 42" (and that's outside to outside), you'll be fine with 2x4s everywhere.

 

[chrisqueenz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11948526#post11948526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Haxer
Do you feel like you could of gotten away without a center brace if you had used 2x6 or 2x8 beams on the top under the tank ?

Maybe, but I just want to feel better about it at the end of the day.

 

[drpo21]

ok well i guess im going to take ur ideas about not using the 4x4s and go with 2x4s. this means i gota go back to the drawing board.
my problem with this structure is that i have 75 and 105 degree angles and unless i do some angle cuts (in which i dont want to do) then im gonna use brackets i saw at home depot. the brackets can shape to whatever angle i want and if its just to keep the boards together then i believe it should be ok.
ill take pictures of my build once i get all the measurements together. should be a fun one.
thanks for the advise siffy.

 

[chrisqueenz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11951805#post11951805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drpo21
ok well i guess im going to take ur ideas about not using the 4x4s and go with 2x4s. this means i gota go back to the drawing board.
my problem with this structure is that i have 75 and 105 degree angles and unless i do some angle cuts (in which i dont want to do) then im gonna use brackets i saw at home depot. the brackets can shape to whatever angle i want and if its just to keep the boards together then i believe it should be ok.
ill take pictures of my build once i get all the measurements together. should be a fun one.
thanks for the advise siffy.

Show us some pics of your progress, I am kind of interested to see how it goes!

 

[nova62]

i built a stand for my 48x24 120.the frame is built out of 2x4's with 45's in all the corners.im going to put a center brace on the back and i wondering if i will need to put one in the front.


thanks

front

[/IMG]
back

[/IMG]

 

[chrisqueenz]

What size sump are you planning on using?

 

[nova62]

a 40 breeder

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11955981#post11955981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nova67
i built a stand for my 48x24 120.the frame is built out of 2x4's with 45's in all the corners.im going to put a center brace on the back and i wondering if i will need to put one in the front.

No. That's the whole point of this thread. If the horizontal members are sized correctly, there is no need for a center support. It's just in the way.

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11962704#post11962704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Siffy
No. That's the whole point of this thread. If the horizontal members are sized correctly, there is no need for a center support. It's just in the way.

Siffy,
I know it has been asked, but to be sure...
72X30X26 240 gal tank...when filled will weigh 2 tons ...
I can build a stand according to Rocket's plan and do it with
2X6 or 2X8 horzontial members and 2X4 legs with a 72" span with no center brace's front or back ? :eek2: The stand will be skinned in 1/2" plywood of course ...

I would love Rocket to chime in too ...

 

[vinc]

Re: DIY Stands Template and Calculator

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10406971#post10406971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
The reason for starting this thread is to provide a template for a relatively simple DIY stand design. This design is a compilation of several designs into one place and includes the calculations needed to generate a cut list for any custom design.

The basic principle of the design is two box frames connected by four legs. The upper one supports the tank and transfers the load to the legs. The legs are made of several pieces of 2X4 to assist in construction and sheething the stand in plywood for strength and cosmetics. The bottom frame transmits the load of the tank into the floor.


Design notes:
*The plan for this stand consists of 21 pieces. Like color pieces are the same length and of the same board size.
*The box frames are screwed together first, then the legs are built off the bottom frame, the top frame is then placed on top and secured to the legs.
*The green pieces are screw strips. These provide limited load strength but serve to make assembly easier and help keep the stand square.
*The blue piece between the upper rails (red) works to keep the upper rails from twisting.

Ok, now to the cut list:
First off: The calculations below are based off of a stand that is "W" inches wide X "D" inches front-to-back X "H" inches high.

(2) Red - Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended.

(2) Yellow - Upper Ends: Length = D-3"
Theses will be made of the same material as the upper rails.

(4) Green - Screw Strips: Length = H-2"
These 2X4s are shorter then the tank is tall.

(8) Purple - Uprights: Length varies:
- 2X4 Upper Rails: Length = H -7"
- 2X6 Upper Rails: Length = H-9"
- 2X8 Upper Rails: Length = H-10.75"
These 2X4s support the weight of the tank. The ones on the short sides of the stand provide a flat surface for attaching a plywood facing and while they do provide some strength, they are optional.

(2) Orange - Bottom Rails: Length = W
These 2X4s act to spread the weight of the tank over a larger area.

(3) Blue - Bottom Ends: Length = D-3"

Covering the sides of the stand with plywood will help to stiffen the stand against twisting and shifting. Doors can be mounted to the legs as desired.

So there it is. 21 pieces in 6 lenghts equals a tank stand that should fit the bill for most people. There are other plans out there but this is a simple design using simple tools and common wood sizes. It may not suit everyone's application but it should fit the bill for most common size tanks.

Should someone wish to have me calculate beam strengths for a specific application, PM me with the tank dimensions and I will be happy to run the numbers.

Happy building.

So I have a quick question I am Building this design for my 215 I use 2x8 for all the construction except the orange and blue parts on the design I used 2x4. So this will work with out any center bracing . I quick respones would be great. Because I am working on this as we speak or should I say type :lol: :lol: thanks

 

[RocketEngineer]

Haxer,

If we assume the full weight of the tank is 3000#s, each red rail will take 1500#s. Pushing on a 2X8, that load applied all at the center of the rail creates a deflection of ~.25 inches and if applied as a distributed load the beam will deflect ~.15". Now since I don't see a glass pane 26 inches tall deflecting by over an eighth, the load doesn't all go into the rails. Instead, its transfered into the stand in the corners directly over the legs and from there into the floor.

vinc,
Only the red and yellow pieces need to be 2X8s. Everything else can be 2X4s. No need to make the stand heavier then needed. BTW, do you know Camp Tadma?