DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[cFloor]

Thanks a lot RocketEngineer, that does make perfect sense. If I wanted to distribute the weight of my stand over a larger area of my floor, would making a "deck" under the stand work? I'd make it out of either 3/4 plywood or 1 1/8 inch plywood with 2x6s running under it every 6 inches or so. Again, thanks for your help. I'm on a second story and I worry about the weight of a 115 gallon tank plus sump. I just remodeled my house, from the studs in the wall to the joists in the floor, so I'm not sure my concern over weight is even an issue. thanks

 

[Riv]

Ok can u break it down for me what I actually will need? Will it work for me since I'm building it into the wall? I'm not good with measurements!

 

[Riv]

Ok tell me if it looks right its for a 125g long 72.5 by 18.5
Red 2- 2x8- 72.5
yellow 2-2x4-15.5
Green 4-2x4-59.75
Purple 8-2x4-61.75
Orange 2-2x4-72.5
Blue 3-2x4-15.5
Please help I'm sure I made a mistake thanks!

 

[Riv]

Ok tell me if it looks right its for a 125g long 72.5 by 18.5
Red 2- 2x8- 72.5
yellow 2-2x4-15.5
Green 4-2x4-59.75
Purple 8-2x4-61.75
Orange 2-2x4-72.5
Blue 3-2x4-15.5
Please help I'm sure I made a mistake thanks!

 

[TheFishMan65]

Yellow should be the same as the red 2x8s.

I don't think your height is right. You want this about 5 feet in the air?

 

[Riv]

Ok so yellow 2x8 15.5
Purple 8 2x4 - 29
Does this look better n thanks for ur help

 

[TheFishMan65]

Nope that will never work - the green will stick out like a sore thumb . They should be about 33 - 38 inches. Enough to help support the top and bottom frame, but not enough to hit floor or tank.

 

[Riv]

Ok need help not good at it as u can see! I want the stand 36 in high so would it b
4 green 2x4 at 34 in
8 purple 2x4 at 25.5
Plz someone help !

 

[Mr_N1ce]

Hi guys

One thing I didnt get from the original design, is how the legs (purple) are attached to the bottom and top frame:
Are they glued to the frame and then secured by the green Screw Strips with screws? I just wanna avoid, that the weight is hold by the screws and the screw strips instead of the legs. How do I avoid that?
Thanks in advanec

 

[RocketEngineer]

Hi guys

One thing I didnt get from the original design, is how the legs (purple) are attached to the bottom and top frame:
Are they glued to the frame and then secured by the green Screw Strips with screws? I just wanna avoid, that the weight is hold by the screws and the screw strips instead of the legs. How do I avoid that?
Thanks in advanec

Using the green boards, the idea is the legs (purple) sit directly between the top and bottom frame with flush cuts on each end. The screw strips (green) keep everything in place. Securing the legs to the top and bottom frame is optional to a certain extent because the screws are holding everything together while the load is transferred board to board. An alternative method is to use pocket screws instead of the green board in which case the pocket screws will joint the frame and legs. Its conceivable to do both the green board and pocket screws but you only NEED one or the other.

HTH,
RocketEngineer

 

[TheFishMan65]

Riv,

I don't remember the dimensional size of a 2x8 so check it, but assuming it is 7.5. I remember a 2x4 is 3.5. So
36 - 3.5 - 7.5 = 25 inches for purple
If I am wong (very well could be) and the actual dimension of a the 8 inch side is 7 inches then your 25.5 is correct.
34 will work well for the green screw boards.

 

[Mr_N1ce]

Using the green boards, the idea is the legs (purple) sit directly between the top and bottom frame with flush cuts on each end. The screw strips (green) keep everything in place. Securing the legs to the top and bottom frame is optional to a certain extent because the screws are holding everything together while the load is transferred board to board. An alternative method is to use pocket screws instead of the green board in which case the pocket screws will joint the frame and legs. Its conceivable to do both the green board and pocket screws but you only NEED one or the other.

HTH,
RocketEngineer

Thx mate! I should really start building stuff again, could've seen this.

 

[Riv]

Thanks fish man 65

 

[RocketEngineer]

Riv,

I don't remember the dimensional size of a 2x8 so check it, but assuming it is 7.5. I remember a 2x4 is 3.5. So
36 - 3.5 - 7.5 = 25 inches for purple
If I am wong (very well could be) and the actual dimension of a the 8 inch side is 7 inches then your 25.5 is correct.
34 will work well for the green screw boards.

Second post after repost of template:

Things to note:

A 2X4 is actually 1.5" X 3.5"; a 2X6 is actually 1.5" X 5.5"; and a 2X8 is actually 1.5" X 7.25".

RocketEngineer

 

[TheFishMan65]

Thanks rocket.

Riv 25.25 for the purple, I am sure what you had above was a typo .

 

[cFloor]

Sorry guys, not sure if my last question was noticed on the prior page.

Would a deck, made from plywood and 2x6s that extends wider than the stand, distribute the tank's weight over a greater distance of flooring? thank you for the help!

 

[xxjrealxx]

hey ive been reading this thread for three days and have a 75g with a back left corner overflow and the green 2x4 will block the the drain pipes. so i came up with a idea to make a stand for my 75g : 50 L x 18 W x 32 T (to give the pipe room)
if someone could please give me the measurements for all the colors of the plan. i would really appreciate it

 

[nimicohgr]

My finished build of this stand, 99% as Rocket Engineer designed it. The only change I made was in the braces on the top of the stand. Since my tank has a center overflow, I decided to put in an extra brace and put the braces to either side of the overflow.

Tank is a 75G Deep Blue "rimless." I am going to be making a cover for the front opening. It will probably be a frame type cover and attach using magnets.

Don't mind the uncovered outlet, I've got a GFCI ready to go in shortly.

 

[reefermad619]

That tank is damn SEXY!

 

[bruce 1]

I have my stand built. I built it by the specs here. It is 72x27x36 inches tall.
It is level or the bubble is in between the 2 level line marks, but one side is a little off (or the bubble is not exactly center). It is between the 2 marks.
My question is: Is this OK?