DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[fairladyZ]

well i finally got some time to work on my stand this weekend. it's been a slow process and i ran into a couple hiccups with bad measurements but it all came out in the wash!

i'll probably spend some time sanding it down this week and filling the nail holes and cracks.. then hopefully this weekend i will stain it.. Still haven't decided if i'm going to attempt the doors or just buy built ones... I'm happy with it so far atleast.

 

[andre_saltiva]

I wanna ask about aquarium stand.
I'm going to build stand for 400 Gal ( 8x3x2.5 ) and 250 Gal ( 6x2.5x2.5 ).
Here's my main concern
i can not find 2"x6" and 2"x8" here in the market, only 2"x4" available ( 5 cm x 11 cm measure exactly )
if i willing to build by 2"x4"
how many center leg do i need for the 400 Gal and 250 Gal?

thanks

 

[cbashaw]

Here's mine it's not done yet but I thought I'd share anyway.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I wanna ask about aquarium stand.
I'm going to build stand for 400 Gal ( 8x3x2.5 ) and 250 Gal ( 6x2.5x2.5 ).
Here's my main concern
i can not find 2"x6" and 2"x8" here in the market, only 2"x4" available ( 5 cm x 11 cm measure exactly )
if i willing to build by 2"x4"
how many center leg do i need for the 400 Gal and 250 Gal?

thanks

If all you have available is 2X4s I recommend two center legs for the 400g (three openings) and one center leg for the 250g.

 

[salasaz]

well i finally got some time to work on my stand this weekend. it's been a slow process and i ran into a couple hiccups with bad measurements but it all came out in the wash!



i'll probably spend some time sanding it down this week and filling the nail holes and cracks.. then hopefully this weekend i will stain it.. Still haven't decided if i'm going to attempt the doors or just buy built ones... I'm happy with it so far atleast.

Nice looking stand!

 

[mr9iron]

Here is the stand that Lt. Lee McGhee CFD Ret. and I spent last week building for my 60 cube. This guy is a master woodworker.


Here is the link to my 60 cube build thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2359431

 

[andre_saltiva]

If all you have available is 2X4s I recommend two center legs for the 400g (three openings) and one center leg for the 250g.

thanks for your reply

 

[aleithol]

Here is the stand that Lt. Lee McGhee CFD Ret. and I spent last week building for my 60 cube. This guy is a master woodworker.


Here is the link to my 60 cube build thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2359431

Simply stellar. Can't wait to see it with the tank.

 

[mr9iron]

Simply stellar. Can't wait to see it with the tank.

Thanks, that makes two of us.:beer:

 

[limitedslip]

Here the mockup for my 45cube stand.
I did have a question though. Do you believe I need to add more vertical support?
I currently have four vertical 2x4s, one 1/2 inch plywood attached to back, and two 1/2 inch plywood attached to top and bottom.

Horizontal supports

 

[RocketEngineer]

Here the mockup for my 45cube stand.
I did have a question though. Do you believe I need to add more vertical support?
I currently have four vertical 2x4s, one 1/2 inch plywood attached to back, and two 1/2 inch plywood attached to top and bottom.

Horizontal supports

You don't need to add vertical supports, you need to put the vertical supports UNDER the horizontal supports. Right now the only thing keeping the tank off the floor are the nails.

 

[SPotter]

just got a kreg pocket hole jig kit for xmas. Ive read mixed information about whether or not you have to use their screws or can you use any screw you want? If you I have to use their screws, are they strong enough for our applications when it comes to building a stand for a tank?

 

[RocketEngineer]

just got a kreg pocket hole jig kit for xmas. Ive read mixed information about whether or not you have to use their screws or can you use any screw you want? If you I have to use their screws, are they strong enough for our applications when it comes to building a stand for a tank?

Do you absolutely, no substitutions allowed, have to use their screws....No

However, their screws have a couple advantages. First, they are flat under the head of the screw vs conical like a deck screw. This means that when the screw is driven in tight, the flat underside of the screw sits against the flat bottom of the pocket hole. If you use a regular deck screw the conical shape will act like a wedge and split the board. Also the square drive combined with the long square drive bit makes them easier to install than a Phillips bit. The points of the screws are self-tapping so they are much less likely to split boards. Just make sure you get the correct kind as the various lengths as well as coarse vs. fine thread versions all have different applications. Lengths are dependent on the thickness of the material while the threads are based on the type of wood you will be working with. It all matters so using their screws just makes the whole process easier.

Kreg brand screws are plenty strong enough for this application. Since the load is being taken by the lumber and not the screws, all the screws do is hold the boards in place. A little glue and the screws become redundant once the glue dries. By using pocket screws, you can eliminate the green boards from the plan and have more space for equipment.

HTH,

 

[SPotter]

Rocket….thank you for that very helpful answer!

 

[limitedslip]

You don't need to add vertical supports, you need to put the vertical supports UNDER the horizontal supports. Right now the only thing keeping the tank off the floor are the nails.

Thanks RocketEngineer,

One more questions though.

My stand is essentially a clone TheDoogan's stand, the structure is exactly the same as his, but is kinda hard to see as I took pictures after I applied the plywood (see a picture of his stand below). Are additional verticals still needed in this style frame?

 

[justa210]

well i finally got some time to work on my stand this weekend. it's been a slow process and i ran into a couple hiccups with bad measurements but it all came out in the wash!

i'll probably spend some time sanding it down this week and filling the nail holes and cracks.. then hopefully this weekend i will stain it.. Still haven't decided if i'm going to attempt the doors or just buy built ones... I'm happy with it so far atleast.

That looks great!

 

[RocketEngineer]

Thanks RocketEngineer,

One more questions though.

My stand is essentially a clone TheDoogan's stand, the structure is exactly the same as his, but is kinda hard to see as I took pictures after I applied the plywood (see a picture of his stand below). Are additional verticals still needed in this style frame?

What transfers the load of the tank to the floor? In that design it looks like the tank is sitting on a frame that has nothing directly under it. It may be that the legs in each corner directly sit under the corners of the tank but there is nothing transferring the load from the frame into the legs. That is my issue with that design.

 

[tmscube]

heres is my DIY stand ..

 

[limitedslip]

What transfers the load of the tank to the floor? In that design it looks like the tank is sitting on a frame that has nothing directly under it. It may be that the legs in each corner directly sit under the corners of the tank but there is nothing transferring the load from the frame into the legs. That is my issue with that design.

Added some supports as you recommended. Here is how it looks with the magnetic front door. Need to decide on color now.

 

[nnewhouse]

Here's a couple pictures of the furniture I'm trying to make the stand look similar to. Any woodworking experts out there who can make a stab at what kind of wood it is?



View attachment 252448



View attachment 252450



View attachment 252451

I would say best guess from the pics is birch.