DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[dogfrog]

Ocean Size


As RocketEngineer said on

07/28/2007 06:18 PM

“Again folks, this design is meant to be made by folks with minimal tools. Also, the strength of wood in compression is incredible. Look at any tree and consider how much it weights. A single 2X4 under compression in one of these stands could take something like 18000 pounds unless it buckles sideways. For those wishing to use 4X4s and have the tools, I don't see a problem. But a couple 2X4s in each corner are more then enough for most tanks.”

On 07/31/2007

“Ok folks, I ran a couple numbers last night. One 2X4 on end, 24 inches long, will support 19000+ pounds before it deflects sideways enough to fail.”




One 2X4 on end, 24 inches long could support my entire tank as long as I can keep it from moving side to side or front to back


So the best thing to do is skin the stand with plywood or cross supports to stop the deflection.

My stand for a 210 is going to be about 38” high. Skinned on the back and sides. The front will have the doors and trim covering the 2X6s and 2x4s

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[4jlong]

RocketEngineer...or any of the other do it yourselfers. I would love to see your plans or what you've already built for canopies. I built one in the past but I wasn't very pleased with it. I know some of the things that I will do differently but I know other people could have some great ideas. Thanks.

 

[OCEAN SIZE]

dogfrog - ty!

4jlong +1

 

[james3370]

my beast......
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1547982

 

[spllbnd2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14131261#post14131261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yankee26th
I would try and find a thin flexible, but sturdy material that you could place on the floor under the stand that might help to adjust that issue. For example, I always place styrofoam between my tanks and stand to level and distribute pressure throughout the bottom of the tank.

I hope this helps

Am I wrong in assuming you are not suppose to use styro under glass tanks and that styro should only be used under acrylic tanks?
Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I think that I've read in the past.

Alex

 

[tomasz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14135908#post14135908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spllbnd2
Am I wrong in assuming you are not suppose to use styro under glass tanks and that styro should only be used under acrylic tanks?
Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I think that I've read in the past.

Alex

I think this might be true if the tank has a trim around the edges. If it is flat glass then you can use the styrofoam. I hope I am right.

 

[spllbnd2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14136370#post14136370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tomasz
I think this might be true if the tank has a trim around the edges. If it is flat glass then you can use the styrofoam. I hope I am right.

Yes you are correct, that is where I got confused is if the glass tank does not have the trim around the bottom.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[yankee26th]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14135908#post14135908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spllbnd2
Am I wrong in assuming you are not suppose to use styro under glass tanks and that styro should only be used under acrylic tanks?
Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I think that I've read in the past.

Alex

Sorry, maybe I should have clarified myself better. All of the tanks I ever owned never had trim. My tanks have always been glass only thats why I use styrofoam.

 

[4jlong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14135890#post14135890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370
my beast......
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1547982

James, that might be enough support :lol: I like the drawer and hinged opening. that was the problem with the one i built last time is there wasn't enough access to the tank. this time i want to be sure the lights can be raised out of the way and i want doors everywhere! on my last tank when i had to move rock or place corals, i had to take the whole canopy off...NOT FUN! i can't wait to see your finished product. thanks for sharing!

 

[LoneRegister]

OceanSize -
Having lived in SoCal for a while - All I have to say is outriggers.

 

[jpc763]

I am in process for my 125 stand build.

Question:

Do you glue everything together?

I have glued my top and bottom "boxes" together with deckmate scr-ews, but I was wondering if I glued the legs together and then the scre-w strips to the legs?

Thanks in advance. John

 

[emissary43]

Hey rocket engineer, I built my stand using your planes and it has worked very well. But, I am upgrading my 6ftx2ft 130gal (which called for 2x6 beams) to a 6ftx2ft 250gal.

Would it be possible to fortify the current stand with 2x4s or should I make a new one?

If not 2x4s then would upgrading the beams to 2x8s and lengthening the screw strips be sufficient for that size tank?

Or will a plywood skin on all sides but the front be sufficient?

Also to any contractors out there, how concerned should I be about the floor? The tank is against a perimeter wall and ends in a corner with another perimeter wall and it goes across the floor beams. Also it would be on the second floor of the building. 3ft away on the outside of the wall there is a cement balcony. Seems to be a solid well build place.
tank is 6ftx2ftx30in

thanks guys

 

[emissary43]

sorry double post and it won't let me delete, must be a busy night

 

[tomasz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14165526#post14165526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emissary43


Also to any contractors out there, how concerned should I be about the floor? The tank is against a perimeter wall and ends in a corner with another perimeter wall and it goes across the floor beams. Also it would be on the second floor of the building. 3ft away on the outside of the wall there is a cement balcony. Seems to be a solid well build place.
tank is 6ftx2ftx30in

thanks guys

That is hard to say with out knowing more information. Do you know what size are the joists? Also what span are they? It sure helps that it will be right against the wall, but that is a lot of weight and the second floor does not help. Having said that if you have the blcony right there they might have supported that with extra studs.

 

[RocketEngineer]

emissary43,

If the tank is truly 250g then it would be about 33" tall. The tank you described is only 225g. That large a tank is very hard to support with just a single beam over an opening that wide. If you included a center leg to cut the span down to 36" between the legs, a 2X6 frame will suffice. As for the floor, that is outside my experience.

RocketEngineer

 

[R-nel]

Here's my stand, let me know what you fellas think. Its not quite finished yet, the doors cant I figure out what to make it with. The plain sheet of birch wont stay straight, any idea?

 

[jedheuer]

tomasz- I see you have a 520. Did you use these plans for the stand your 520 is on? I want to build this stand for my 400g.

Anybody else know if these plans would work on that large a scale? The 400 is 6' long by 3' by 3'.

Thanks

 

[tomasz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14173866#post14173866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jedheuer
tomasz- I see you have a 520. Did you use these plans for the stand your 520 is on? I want to build this stand for my 400g.

Anybody else know if these plans would work on that large a scale? The 400 is 6' long by 3' by 3'.

Thanks

No I did not. I have gone with 2x2 steal tube to save space.

 

[tomasz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14173866#post14173866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jedheuer
tomasz- I see you have a 520. Did you use these plans for the stand your 520 is on? I want to build this stand for my 400g.

Anybody else know if these plans would work on that large a scale? The 400 is 6' long by 3' by 3'.

Thanks

Here are couple rough pics of my stand.

 

[Mike de Leon]

http://briaquaticcabinets.com/html/aquarium_cabinet_photos_ii.html

Check out these nice stands...