moondoggy4
Team RC
DHslop Are the cross braces 2 x 6's ? Since you tank will be enclosed behind the wall unit you could put a 2 x 6 diagonally on both sides.
DIY Stands Template and Calculator
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
moondoggy4
Team RC
lip
lip
I am building a 40 gallon breeder and I have about a 2'' lip that covers the plastic frame, if you are going to keep the tank away from the edge you could put in a piece of wood between the lip and the tank kinda of like a picture frame with a mat. Words are harder than pictures in this thread.
lip
I am building a 40 gallon breeder and I have about a 2'' lip that covers the plastic frame, if you are going to keep the tank away from the edge you could put in a piece of wood between the lip and the tank kinda of like a picture frame with a mat. Words are harder than pictures in this thread.
moondoggy4
Team RC
hobzz can you post a picture with sitting correctly?
moondoggy4
Team RC
getting started
getting started
I have built several stands and the usual problem for me is wood warpage, so I have go to the lumber stores to get the wood cut to size and I ask for lumber that is resawed like they use for patio covers that is a higher quality lumber, I think I paid 25 dollars for all my lumber shy the plywood, and that was for my 120 build.
getting started
I have built several stands and the usual problem for me is wood warpage, so I have go to the lumber stores to get the wood cut to size and I ask for lumber that is resawed like they use for patio covers that is a higher quality lumber, I think I paid 25 dollars for all my lumber shy the plywood, and that was for my 120 build.
moondoggy4
Team RC
not lining up
not lining up
Build the stand so the 55 is sitting correctly on the stand, the 40 gallon will only have about 29 gallons in it, build the bottom shelf with more cross bars to help carry the load.
Or are you saying that the 40 will not fit the inside dimensions of the 55 gallon?
not lining up
Build the stand so the 55 is sitting correctly on the stand, the 40 gallon will only have about 29 gallons in it, build the bottom shelf with more cross bars to help carry the load.
Or are you saying that the 40 will not fit the inside dimensions of the 55 gallon?
jonnyeatworld
New member
First of let me say this might be one of the best threads on this forum. Great job!
I'm in the process of gathering everything i need to start a Reef tank. I have decided that i want to get the Nuvo Micro 38 gallon tank. (24x19x19) I do not trust the stand that they sell with it, so i am looking into building my own. I have a few questions...
1. Is this Stand over kill for a tank this small?
2. Can i get away with 1"x4" wood or is the 2x4 recommended?
3. Would I need to put foam on the stand, and if so, does it go between the tank and the plywood on top of the stand or between the stand frame and the top plywood?
4. How do i make those cool color coded drawings??:spin2:
I'm in the process of gathering everything i need to start a Reef tank. I have decided that i want to get the Nuvo Micro 38 gallon tank. (24x19x19) I do not trust the stand that they sell with it, so i am looking into building my own. I have a few questions...
1. Is this Stand over kill for a tank this small?
2. Can i get away with 1"x4" wood or is the 2x4 recommended?
3. Would I need to put foam on the stand, and if so, does it go between the tank and the plywood on top of the stand or between the stand frame and the top plywood?
4. How do i make those cool color coded drawings??:spin2:
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
The stand is overkill for most applications. However, it is also more tolerant of builder error. Plywood stands are capable of holding all but the most massive tanks but they require tools and skills that not everyone has.
For a tank that small, yes 1X4s would be acceptable.
You only use foam if the tank requires it per the manufacturer. If the tank has plastic trim, you shouldn't use any foam.
What you should do is take the time and ensure the top of the stand is perfectly true. You can adjust the stand being slightly out of level as that depends on the floor its sitting on. True means its all one plane with no high or low spots.
Become an engineer......
jonnyeatworld
New member
If using the 1x4's does that do anything to the size cuts i will need to make?
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
Yes as the boards are half as thick. The red and orange pieces are 1.5" longer to account for the decreased board thickness.
hobbzz
How do I change this?
It's actually at my inlaws, but I'll be there on Sunday and can get a few better pics then. Thanks.
jonnyeatworld
New member
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
Sorry. You got it right. I was looking at a different design.
Jackie Blue
Member
Building a new 120 for my apartment. The plan is for a 48x24x24 with a coast to coast calflo overflow. Rimless or not is still up in the air.
Here's the frame of the stand I have so far. The tank is going to be on carpet on the second floor of an old house (full dimension 2x8s running perpendicular to the tank). Because of the carpet I am using legs to avoid smashing it as much as possible, along with allowing air to get under the stand in case of spillage.
The bottom is 2x4s which are mortise and tennoned into the upright 4x4s
The top is 2x6s which are resting on notches cut out by on the upright 4x4s
Top down view before I add the cross pieces and 3/4 plywood to the top and bottom.
I was feeling pretty confident about it untill somebody mentioned that the stand might no be strong enough and that I should put another set up legs in the middle. I think it should be strong enough but I'm not an engineer.
If there's any ideas tips or concerns feel free to chime in.
Here's the frame of the stand I have so far. The tank is going to be on carpet on the second floor of an old house (full dimension 2x8s running perpendicular to the tank). Because of the carpet I am using legs to avoid smashing it as much as possible, along with allowing air to get under the stand in case of spillage.
The bottom is 2x4s which are mortise and tennoned into the upright 4x4s
The top is 2x6s which are resting on notches cut out by on the upright 4x4s
Top down view before I add the cross pieces and 3/4 plywood to the top and bottom.
I was feeling pretty confident about it untill somebody mentioned that the stand might no be strong enough and that I should put another set up legs in the middle. I think it should be strong enough but I'm not an engineer.
If there's any ideas tips or concerns feel free to chime in.
Jackie Blue
Member
I did read it I was just nervous. I didn't think switching to 4x4 from 2x4 would make any difference i just wanted to double check . The top has 3/4 ply on it along with the cross pieces.
Thanks for the quick reply
Thanks for the quick reply
daplatapus
New member
Jackie Blue: Stand looks good! I love mortise and tenon joints. My one concern would be the pressure points created by all that weight on the 4 corners. Looking at the stand template rocketengineer supplied you can see the weight of the tank gets distributed along the entire foot print of the stand. The weight thus gets transferred to the floor joists that run under the stand. In your design, if the 4X4 isn't resting directly on a floor joist, the subfloor must carry all the weight and there is an increased risk of the 4X4's punching through the subfloor. Just some food for thought...
Jackie Blue
Member
I thought about that I'm going to set the feet onto something to create a larger footprint.
greyreef
New member
40 Gal Breeder
40 Gal Breeder
Have question for experts here
Planning on resting a 40 gal breeder on a short, 12 inch stand to rest on a low window alcove and bring it up to viewing height
Planning on a drawer for under the aquarium as part of the unit, would like to use 2x4 flat at the front of the unit, allow more height for my drawer front
In other words front edge weight carried by 1.5 inch height
Would the 36 inch span of the 2x4 on flat at the front, with all other sides being usual on edge have enough weight bearing for the 40 gal breeder?
40 Gal Breeder
Have question for experts here
Planning on resting a 40 gal breeder on a short, 12 inch stand to rest on a low window alcove and bring it up to viewing height
Planning on a drawer for under the aquarium as part of the unit, would like to use 2x4 flat at the front of the unit, allow more height for my drawer front
In other words front edge weight carried by 1.5 inch height
Would the 36 inch span of the 2x4 on flat at the front, with all other sides being usual on edge have enough weight bearing for the 40 gal breeder?
Gagonzalez
Reef Fanatic
I have a question for anyone who can help. I am planning on getting a Cadd Lights 50g Artisan Cube 24x24x20 and am looking at building the stand for it. However, I want it to be bigger than the normal 24x24 stand to fit everything underneath. Specifically the 18g sump it comes with and a water reservior for my ATO. Has anyone done this before? Thanks
