DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[mcliffy2]

Just completed my stands using this design (two 18x60 stands for my 60x36 tank). Thanks much for posting this. One tip I found was that using some wood putty where the legs meet the bottom square and the top square greatly increased the rigidity of the stand. I still need to do some leveling but overall I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

Heres a pic:

 

[kharrell]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11713529#post11713529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
I think the best way would be to take the sheetrock off the tank room side of the wall, header off the opening, cut the studs in the bottom half short, and build the stand over top of the bottom studs. You can then incoporate the wall side of the stand into the wall itself and have the rest of the stand in the fish room. Put simply, you are making a window and using the window framing for one side of the stand.

Thanks! That makes sense.

 

[badazztealcobra]

Well, a bunch of 2x6's, some 2x4's, a bottle of titebond III, and a box of deckmate screws later....

Then some cross supports, some plywood, Kilz premium, and a few coats of exterior paint later....

Another sheet of plywood, and some 1x3's for a rim where the sump will reside to catch any leaks later...

Finally have the tank up on the stand and sand and rock in it too...

Thanks for the thread and the help with my questions Rocket... Can't wait to get water in this thing in the next week...

 

[Siffy]

I guess I should feel compelled to post some pics of mine as well. Just finished painting the inside of it last night (white Behr waterproof deck sealer/paint). I may put another coat of that on before I set it up.

Mine was framed using 2 1x4s per corner with a 2x2 screw strip.

Both "boxes" are made from 1x4s as well. With a center member to prevent bowing.

I take credit for the framing, but cannot for the skin and trim. A friend did all of that for cost of materials. It's good to know someone who enjoys finishing.

The doors were ordered from http://www.cabinetdoorsandhardware.com

I'm still uncertain if I'm sticking with a 40b or a 65g for it. But it will likely be initially setup with a 40g breeder. I'll build another frame only style stand for the 40g (for a frag tank or possibly clams) if I upgrade to a 65g.

 

[Siffy]

Forgot to mention. The doors are 15x25". And the whole stand cost about $200. $20 to frame up. Really cheap design, imo. The total cost includes everything from lumber down to screws, stand, poly, tack clothes, paint, etc. The little things add up.

 

[patel]

Here's a couple of pictures of a stand I made using these instructions. The tank is 2' x 2' x 6'. I put some plywood on the back and the side against the wall. The bottom was screwed in which I then ended up removing so I could add some shims under the base. So the tip here is, don't screw in the bottom until you shim it in place. I'd have to say this thread is great, thanks to everybody who contributed :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10642733#post10642733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slandis3
The tank will have nothing under the stand. Its actually going in a wall so having no space under the stand is not a problem. the sump will sit against another wall. I guessing the full tank ( water rock corals etc.) will weigh somewhere around 3000lbs + so thats why i was thinking 2x6.

Rocket,
My new 240 from glass cages will weigh this much as well,
Will one of your stands made out of 2X8's support it without a center brace. Tank is 72x30x25 and i want to make the stand 40" tall. Any thoughts or measurments ? I saw where laud (sp?) above in another post made one for a 210, so my 240 isnt far from that ? I have no problem using big size material, just want to know what to use and what sizes to make it ROCk SOLID.
thanks...

 

[patel]

For what it's worth... I used 2x8s for a 72x24x24 180gal. The height of the stand is 34" The stand is solid. I stood on one of the horizontal pieces and there was no deflection. I happened to see an AGA stand in the store recently and this design seems a lot stronger.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11740412#post11740412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by patel
For what it's worth... I used 2x8s for a 72x24x24 180gal. The height of the stand is 34" The stand is solid. I stood on one of the horizontal pieces and there was no deflection. I happened to see an AGA stand in the store recently and this design seems a lot stronger.

Huge difference between you standing on it and a fully filled tank....

What size lumber did you use for the legs Patel ??? How far is the span between the legs of your tank ???

Haxer, I would go for 2x8's for the build.... I'm using 2x6's on a 180 which will be fine, but with the additional depth on yours I would up it to 2x8's personally. My tank is also sitting at 39", It's so nice to have all the room under it and to not have to bend over to look into the tank....

 

[jck9]

i posted a thread earlier but didnt get very many responses so i thought id give this a try. i want to build a stand for my 890 gal aga tank and be able to fit a 55 gal aga tank inside the stand for my sump. with the sump also being removeable by taking off one side panel. the problem im having is that once i build the frame to accomidate the 55 sump the 90 gal display will fit insde the frame. i cant seem to figure out how i could do this. any help would be appreciated. thanks
john

 

[jck9]

i just looked back through the trhead and saw what saltwaterfishlover did with his stand. that is basically what i want to build except for a 90 gal. do the joist hangers carry all the weight? i dont see any vertical supports under the inside frame that the tank actually sits on. if the joist hangers will work ill just build the stand just like his. thanks
john

 

[Haxer]

badazztealcobra,
Did you use a center brace? I will use one if that is what it takes, but i would LOVE to not have to have one...makes things so much eaiser..

After looking at my factory oceanic 72 gal bowfront stand, it looks like its made of toothpicks compared to these stands ...

Also is that high a stand likely to tip over - shake - like when the washingmachine is on spincycle etc ...

 

[badazztealcobra]

No center brace on there currently, but when I go over it with 1/2" oak it will "technically" have one.... I have the tank, 180 pounds of sand and 150 pounds of rock in it now, should be adding water soon. I liked having it open because I put a 75g tank under it for a sump.

 

[jck9]

i just looked back through the trhead and saw what saltwaterfishlover did with his stand. that is basically what i want to build except for a 90 gal. do the joist hangers carry all the weight? i dont see any vertical supports under the inside frame that the tank actually sits on. if the joist hangers will work ill just build the stand just like his. thanks
john

 

[tinnghe]

hey

i am looking to build a stand for my 140g would u like to run some number and see that the DIY stand can handle it or not? what should i use? tank dimension is 48*24*28

 

[RocketEngineer]

jck9, if i remember correctly, saltwaterfishlover used the joist hanger to support the beam when initially assembling the stand. He then put screws into the end of that joist to improve the strength of that joint. The weight is carried by both the screws and the joist hanger.

patel, nice job on the stand.

Haxer, 2X8 should be more then strong enough. I would just make sure that you install a couple small stringers running between the front and back of the upper frame to keep things from bowing and twisting.

tinnghe, If I were to build a stand for that footprint tank, I would make the top frame out of 2X6, 2X4 legs, and a 2X4 bottom frame. Other then that, its the same design as the template on the first page.

I'm glad folks have found this thread to be useful. Keep the posts coming.

 

[saltwaterfishlover]

[/IMG]

it sits on the inner upper frame
the total box is
62x36x36
upper frame is 2x6's
lower and risers are 2x4
skin is 1/2" birch plywood
used 1.5" and 2.75 stainless screws

and yes screws thru hangers and endwise into beams 3-4 screws

 

[SaltyNovice]

I've now read this entire thread and want to give my props to RocketEngineer for his knowledable help to all. I have a sump that is the same depth as my DT. DT - 60 x 18 x 26 (glass) and my sump is 48 x 18 x 17. So I figured I could use the design that SaltwaterfishLover used? One question - somehow I missed what a hanger is? I'm assuming that it is the connection between the 2x6's that supports the DT for him? Am I right? And where do I get these hangers? Are they joist hangers for a house framers? Thanks for your help.

SaltyNovice

 

[saltwaterfishlover]

home depot deck building aisle

 

[Siffy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11746757#post11746757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SaltyNovice
I've now read this entire thread and want to give my props to RocketEngineer for his knowledable help to all. I have a sump that is the same depth as my DT. DT - 60 x 18 x 26 (glass) and my sump is 48 x 18 x 17. So I figured I could use the design that SaltwaterfishLover used? One question - somehow I missed what a hanger is? I'm assuming that it is the connection between the 2x6's that supports the DT for him? Am I right? And where do I get these hangers? Are they joist hangers for a house framers? Thanks for your help.

SaltyNovice

You should be able to use either design (brackets or screw strips) with a tank 5' long and a sump 4' long and equal depth. You will just have to make your opening at least 48.5" in the front. You just won't be able to have the sump all the way to one end or the other with screw strips. But if it's centered, they should not interfere.