DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[Diffusion]

I built mine rather high at 35" with the base being 48" X 18" using 2x4 and it is rock solid.

As long as you don't go crazy or make a top heavy tower of some sort I would guess you are fine.

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13284963#post13284963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nukumjilly
I built mine at 36 inch high. 32" is the standard for commercially built stands, right?

I don't think there is any one standard personally. For the most part they try to keep at least one side (front/back or top/bottom) <= 30" as that's the width that will pass through most doors.

 

[Angler02]

I built my stand 42" tall. Tank has water in it and seems to be just fine.

 

[stevedola]

My stand is 40" tall ( ithink-dont remember exactly). I had my tank inwall before and really enjoyed not having to bend over to watch the tank...I couldnt imagine going back to a 32" stand (and neither could my back).

 

[mcox]

72"Lx30"Wx42"H stand

Planning on a 280 gallon glass only tank. 42" high stand.

Planning on 2x8's for the upper box. Should I still use 2x4's for the base?

Are people using glue for connecting or just screws?

Is it advisable to put some plywood under the lower box to help in shimming to level/planar the stand? What thickness?

I'll be putting a glass only tank, all sides resting on bottom plate onto this stand. Should I have a plywood topper? What thickness?

 

[daddavis1]

I just want to add here. The wood type matters. All woods have different physical properties and strengths.

An Ideal wood to use is Black Locust but it is faily difficult to work with without very sharp tools.

Dan

 

[Blazer88]

Here are some quick pictures of my stand build using this design for my 30x30x24 cube. The frame is building using 1x4's and the trim is built 1x2" off the frame so the panel doors sit flush. I used a 3/4" plywood top and 1/2" bottom for the sump to sit on. It still needs some clean up and hardware but you get the idea. This thing is rock solid IMO.

 

[badbread]

So first, here is my fail...

What I'm looking to do is have a 3-4" lip around the whole tank, a nice shelf for holding elbows up as a drool, hold fish stuff while I do maintenance, , whatever.

I'm thinking the weight of the tank needs to be supported by the frame under all the finishing work. Is this right? The way it is currently all of the weight would be on the piece of wood on top of the frame...

Here it is with finishing and all that jazz on it, looks great!!!

And here is the same picture with the finishing pieces not on...

So I went back to the drawing board and came up with this:

125 Gallon tank, 48" x 24" x 24", 4" lip around 3 sides

What the tank will sit on, before extending out for the shelf.

With the shelf modifications.

Full garage shot pretty close to scale.

I know something needs to be done about the bottom frame but am I on the right track?

That's me sitting on the GF's car.

Also, living in earthquake country what other precations/actions should be taken when building a stand. Anything special to do?

 

[T-T-Trigger]

Muchas gracias for starting this thread RocketEngineer, it helped get me off my bum!

It is 1.5" tall x 18" deep, Haven't quite figured out how to mount the doors though ?

 

[T-T-Trigger]

ok here it is with equip.

73" long. 18.5" deep. 36" tall. tank is 24" tall 135g. total height 6ft.

sump will hold approx. 20g running, refugium is 50g. total vol. approx. 200g. minus livestock/equip approximately 150g water.


thx again for taking the initiative in this thread.

 

[BEurich]

I'm thinking about doing an inwall tank. The problem is that the wall is a floating wall, and i'll have to have about 5inches of the front of the tank off the stand. Its a 180, so it's 24 inches wide. Is this doable?

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10406971#post10406971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer

I just picked up a 220g tank (72 x 24 x 30) and was wondering if this design is ok to follow, or if I should add any additional supports?

Has anyone done this for a 6' tank?

Thanks.

 

[EvasionOfTruth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13301122#post13301122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
I just picked up a 220g tank (72 x 24 x 30) and was wondering if this design is ok to follow, or if I should add any additional supports?

Has anyone done this for a 6' tank?

Thanks.

I followed this design for my 180, exact same foot print. It could hold a truck on top of it. I used the 2x8 for all of the upper frame.

 

[Tswifty]

Do you have any pictures of the frame?

 

[Diffusion]

The larger tanks just require the larger (2X6 or 2X8) braces.

The actual weights they can take (which is considerable) are covered earlier in this article.

 

[mcox]

Is there and advantage/disadvantage to adding a plywood base (where bottom box meets the floor) to the stand?

If adding a base to a stand what thickness of plywood (280 gallong tank)?

If building a stand for a 280 gallon tank, the plans indicate 2x4's are ok for the bottom box. Am I reading that wrong or is that a correct reading of the plans?

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Worked nice for my 120g, thanks!

 

[wardworld]

I've read through the thread (well most of it, anyway) - I didn't see any reference to any stands for 84" tanks (7'). Am I making an accurate assumption that it could be built using the original design, but adding 2X6 upper rails WITH one center brace OR could it be done w/out a center brace and 2X8s???? My tank is 84x24x24 w/ corner overflows (an old Oceanic).
Thoughts/opinions????

 

[nukumjilly]

The rebuild.....

 

[wardworld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13321553#post13321553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wardworld
I've read through the thread (well most of it, anyway) - I didn't see any reference to any stands for 84" tanks (7'). Am I making an accurate assumption that it could be built using the original design, but adding 2X6 upper rails WITH one center brace OR could it be done w/out a center brace and 2X8s???? My tank is 84x24x24 w/ corner overflows (an old Oceanic).
Thoughts/opinions????

Anyone??????