DIY Stands Template and Calculator

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14206462#post14206462 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adamblackburn22
Yeah That's what I thought they were.:D Ok so it makes sense now. So if I want a 36 inch tall stand what do my cute need to be for the legs? Thanks
Click to expand...

using 2x4's for the bottom: with 2x4 tops, your leg cuts would be 29" if usinf 2x6 for the top, your leg cuts would be 27" this would make your frame 36" then depending on how thick your plywood is, ( probably 3/4), then finished height would be that much taller. hope this helps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14205100#post14205100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yankee26th
Do you think your design would work for a larger tank. I will be building a stand for a 180G? For the upper rails I would have to use 2x8's, according to RocketEngineer, but I would lay the lower rails on the floor instead of being elevated like yours is.
Thanks --- Chris
Click to expand...

I certainly think it would work fine. If you didn't mind a center support or even an offset support the 2x6 would probably do you fine.

The lower members on my stand really just tie the legs together. Very little stress on them at all. I wanted it elevated so I can clean up under my stand in case of a leak. I gave up a little head room in the stand but ultimately things fit fine. They are actually 1x3's which hold up that lower shelf.

Nearly completed stand.
 
Thanks for this wonderful thread. I just spent the whole day reading and working on a design for a 40BR with 20L sump. Here is a quick sketch. All of the main pieces are 1x4 (3/4x3.5)

40BRStand.jpg~original


A few questions about my design:

- My vertical supports (the red and blue) are switched from the original design. I did this to allow a larger opening in the front. Will there be any issues since I staggered the boxes accordingly?

- For nailers I used 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 I figured I could just rip down a 2x4. Will there be any issue with this?

- In order to get a 31" opening to accommodate installing the 20L sump, I had to make the front uprights (Red) 2 3/4" instead of the full 3 1/2". Will this cause any problems?

Also I plan on using plywood on the bottom shelf for the sump - I just left it out for the pictures. Will probably skin in 1/4" oak and use pre-fabbed doors.

Thanks again for all of the help. Also if there are any other mistakes, please point them out.
 
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Ok, So(some times I think I'm retarded) here's where I'm at so far.....

My tank....120G 48.5x24.5

stand....

Red and Orange color wood should be cut 48.5

Yellow and blue should be cut at 21.5

Purple should be(I'm going with 2x4 on top not 2x6 and want a 36inch stand) 29

now I need to know (Please) How long the neon green need to be?

I will be starting on this stand Friday night. Thanks everyone for your help.
 
fickle1,

There should be no problem with what you posted. The only thing you may want to consider is pre-drilling holes including from the red into the edge of the blue verticals. This will tie the two into an L shape that will help resist racking loads.

adamblackburn22,
If this is for a glass tank, the 2X4 should be plenty but if it is for an acrylic tank, I would recommend going with the 2X6 for the top frame to minimize deflection.

The green pieces sit 1/2 inch above the bottom of the stand and are 1/2 inch below the top of the stand so that the bottom frame sits directly on the floor and the tank sits directly on the top frame. That said, for a 36 inch tall stand, they should be 35 inches long.

HTH
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14213854#post14213854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
fickle1,

There should be no problem with what you posted. The only thing you may want to consider is pre-drilling holes including from the red into the edge of the blue verticals. This will tie the two into an L shape that will help resist racking loads.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick reply. This is my first drawing with sketchup, so I am glad that it came out clearly.
 
adamblackburn22,
If this is for a glass tank, the 2X4 should be plenty but if it is for an acrylic tank, I would recommend going with the 2X6 for the top frame to minimize deflection.

The green pieces sit 1/2 inch above the bottom of the stand and are 1/2 inch below the top of the stand so that the bottom frame sits directly on the floor and the tank sits directly on the top frame. That said, for a 36 inch tall stand, they should be 35 inches long.

HTH [/B][/QUOTE]

Rocket it's a glass tank. Thanks for the reply. Looks like I'm going to Home depot tomorrow. Thank you
 
Hey guys, I made my stand.
DSCN0634-1.jpg


Question though, when I put my 90g tank on the stand in opposite corners of the tank it's not sitting on the stand 100%. Now my floor in my basement is not completely level. Is this going to be a problem? Or could I put foam around the border of the stand for the tank to sit on?
DSCN0635-1.jpg
 
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Thinking out loud:
I am planning a 300 gallon plywood tank with base messurements: 90" x 30". The tank will have a 2" x 1/8" angle iron frame. For the top supporting elements of the stand, I am thinking of using double-uped 2x4s with 2 2"x1/8" angle irons sandwiched between them. The legs would be doubled up as well. Doing it this way, do you think I could get away with just one leg in the middle on the back side?
 
okkiedokki,

That looks like a glass tank with a plastic rim. If it is DO NOT USE STYROFOAM. Styrofoam is used for acrylic and glass tanks without trim. It is not recommended for tanks with plastic trim. I would find the high spot and sand/shave it down. This may take some time but none of the other options are really safe.

JC Pollman,
I take it to mean you will have the two angles flat to flat to form a "T" with the wood under the top of the "T". As I don't have my engineering books at home, I will have to wait until tomorrow to run the numbers on it. The only thing I can say for sure at this point is I hope these are stainless steel angles that you are using. For something that long I would consider having a leg in the middle both front and back.

To Everyone Else:
Following the split, I will be reposting the original template as well as the common questions/answers.

RocketEngineer
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14242329#post14242329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
okkiedokki,

That looks like a glass tank with a plastic rim. If it is DO NOT USE STYROFOAM. Styrofoam is used for acrylic and glass tanks without trim. It is not recommended for tanks with plastic trim. I would find the high spot and sand/shave it down. This may take some time but none of the other options are really safe.
Click to expand...

Yeah it is the glass with the plastic rim. Thanks for the reply, I'll have to start sanding it down tonight.
 
Just to be sure, it is ok to use 3/4" plywood on the top of a stand when using a glass tank with the plastic edge?
 
man, I hate this, almost finished building my stand then stumble on to this thread..........now i have to take it all apart......;-(
 
Does my stand look strong enough.
Its going to be for a Perfecto 30Breeder tank which is actually 28gal. Since its a 30x18x12 not like the AGA that is 36x18x12

The dimnesions of the stand are
30x18x30.
I havnt put the shelf in the bottom yet for the 10g sump. Also i have to skin it..but as is does it look like it will be strong enough?
This was my first real stand I built and always worries me
KH5V0231.jpg

KH5V0232.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14264406#post14264406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonReefer
Does my stand look strong enough.
Its going to be for a Perfecto 30Breeder tank which is actually 28gal. Since its a 30x18x12 not like the AGA that is 36x18x12
Click to expand...

Yes, it will definitely be strong enough, especially if your skinning it. Looks good!
 
Man, I had a failed attempt at building my stand....my cuts were not straight. Going to go to a friends to have him cut them for me and help me build since he is better with this kind of stuff.
 
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