DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[hobbzz]

Here you go

 

[moondoggy4]

copy this

copy this


hobbzz I would try to copy this I would remove the angle pieces and install the more legs for support, it is easy to do because you already have most of it built.

 

[moondoggy4]

hobbzz Go to post three to see the mock up design.

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. What about the vertical 2x4's sitting on the horizontal ones instead of the ground? I'm probably going to change the bottom to the original design anyway to shorten the stand a little, but I'm still curious in case I end up liking the height.

 

[moondoggy4]

The only vertical boards that can touch the ground are the green ones. The bottom frame some of the boards look like 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 not even a 2x4. This stand can be saved but it will need some work.

 

[nemosworld]

i don't see the issue with the stand, all of the framing was done with 2x4 even the bottom, look again closely. Hobbz, does it have a lot of racking? if you wanted to make it a little better, just skin it with 3/4 inch ply on at-least three sides and you should be good.
JMHO

 

[hobbzz]

I forgot that only the inner vertical board touched the ground, I was going from memory of the pic. It's definitely all 2x4 except the single piece in the middle of the span on the front and the small corner braces. It will be replaced with a 2x4. And it will also be skinned with plywood and stained. There is a little racking without any skin, and I'll be adding the other vertical supports (green boards) as well.

 

[ronl]

RocketEngineer and other experts,

I'm planning a 24x24x12 rimless shallow cube with 1/2" glass. Bottom will not have plastic trim. Had a 58 gal tank spring a leak in my living room, so wife requires this tank to have no chance of leaking on the floor.

Plans are for stand to be 30 x 31.5, so there will be 3" extra on sides and front of tank and 4.5" extra in back of tank (for plumbing). Bottom frame of of stand will be 2x8 lumber with plywood on bottom and all sealed so the stand will hold ~25 gal of water in event of leak.

Attached are a couple of pics of a structure I was thinking of using. Front side legs (yellow) are 2x6 and rear side legs (orange) are 2x8. This allows a second set of top rails in the front and back (red) that will support the tank and can rest 1" onto the legs. Side rails (beige) would be notched to allow red supports to rest on legs. A second set of side rails (gray) would be attached to the red supports with hangers.

The top will have a sheet of 3/4" plywood with a drainage hole to allow any water that could leak from the tank to drain into the bottom of the stand. The stand will be skinned in 3/4" plywood that is slightly higher than the top of the stand so that water drains into stand rather than going over the edge of the top of the stand.

Will this structure provide enough support having only the front and back rails supported by the legs?

With this size tank, do I even need to worry about the rails under the tank being supported by the legs? Could I just do all 2x4 legs and then use hangers to mount the internal cross rails with the 3/4" plywood on top? I was even thinking of doing a double layer of 3/4" plywood glued together to have a 1.5" thick top, if needed.

Thanks,
Ron

RocketEngineer or others,
Any thoughts on this design? I don't think I have seen any comments regarding this prior post.
Thanks,
Ron

 

[ronl]

Oops, pictures didn't show up. Sorry, here they are.

 

[jonnyeatworld]

Built the frame, thanks!! Anyone have any tips on finishing the stand with plywood and a door?? ( I have zero wood working experience before starting this stand)

 

[Lubecky]

Here are a couple later shots of my stand its been a long process but almost done.

<a href="http://s1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/?action=view&current=A13E4089-5CF3-4077-8B37-C645B347F9EC-2052-000001DD53CE4F69_zps9cb11d96.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/A13E4089-5CF3-4077-8B37-C645B347F9EC-2052-000001DD53CE4F69_zps9cb11d96.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

<a href="http://s1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/?action=view&current=9E991674-527C-4A46-BD96-A0046C334FBC-4475-0000060B809A7E26_zps367f8e97.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/9E991674-527C-4A46-BD96-A0046C334FBC-4475-0000060B809A7E26_zps367f8e97.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>
<a href="http://s1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/?action=view&current=E8A32002-DBE8-45C9-8156-B73A070312D0-5573-00000778ACEDB37D_zps7f2b081e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/E8A32002-DBE8-45C9-8156-B73A070312D0-5573-00000778ACEDB37D_zps7f2b081e.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

<a href="http://s1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/?action=view&current=402FEAED-4C1D-4DD2-8B66-C7F5C879C192-5573-00000778B30BD362_zps0cff696c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh542/lubecky1/402FEAED-4C1D-4DD2-8B66-C7F5C879C192-5573-00000778B30BD362_zps0cff696c.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

[biecacka]

Here's a question for everyone, I know to prevent racking of the stand most skin it w plywood....I'm wanting to have 2-3 sides of the stand completely removable. So there would be plywood on them, maybe via magnets, but they could be pulled off as needed to get under the stand.
Will this provide any structural support?

Corey

 

[biecacka]

Here is 1/2 the stand...

How's it look?
Any suggestions?

Corey

 

[shovelrider]

Rocketengineer, thanks for this thread! I applaud you for tackling this undertaking and helping the reefing community DIY countless stands now. It is because of your thread and input throughout that I decided to build a stand and couldn't be happier so far. All leveled out and waiting for skin and doors.

 

[biecacka]

Almost finished. This thread was super informative
Thanks!

Corey

 

[Bvansteyn]

My 180g stand in process:

 

[jacob.morgan78]

Are there any plans for canopies on here? I'm putting three led fixtures over my 6', 125 gallon tank and don't want to hang them from the ceiling. I'd appreciate any guidance you guys/girls can offer!!

thanks!

 

[Andre Rosario]

I'm learning a lot with your posts. Nice job!

 

[ca1ore]

I'm thinking about cutting 8" wide lengths of plywood on my table saw and then glueing/screwing three of them together for the top horizontal beams of my stand. Homemade 'micro lam' essentially. Just too difficult these days to find 2x lumber that is flat and true. Has anyone done this? Any watch outs.

Will use sistered 2x4 for the legs tho.

 

[RJS8540]

I'm thinking about cutting 8" wide lengths of plywood on my table saw and then glueing/screwing three of them together for the top horizontal beams of my stand. Homemade 'micro lam' essentially. Just too difficult these days to find 2x lumber that is flat and true. Has anyone done this? Any watch outs.

Will use sistered 2x4 for the legs tho.

I see no problem with this. Straighter Stronger Truer = Win, Win, Win :thumbsup: