DIY Stands Template and Calculator

Alright, just finished up the frame of my stand. I've always used 3 2x's glued and screwed at the posts, works great. I've never even thought about having to use a shim. Of course, living in Arizona where concrete slabs are the norm helps. I'd like to say that's it's obviously the highly precise carpentry work that I do, but that probably isn't the case. ;)

In the past, I've always over built my stands. But I'm sick of fighting the cramp space that provides, so this time I'm trying to not over build. So the frame is 48 3/4" x 18 3/4" x 36" built with 2x4's for a standard 48x18 75 gallon tank.

No center support is needed, correct?

I get nervous about stands & tanks, and given the close proximity of this tank to some very expensive computers, I'm a little extra nervous.
 
I am looking into building a new stand for my 120. I have been looking through this thread and have a few questions. If I want to make the stand say 36 or 40 inches tall would 2x6's still support this? Also is their anyway to alter the design so I could install two doors that are not separated by a center brace? Could anyone recommend a good place to get doors and hinges (preferably eurpoean) and trim? Also if someone would we willing to work with me on just simply creating a design (sketch or cad + materials) I would be more than willing to pay them. Thanks and let me know.
 
gaucho30 you should be able to go to several cabinet shops in your area from custom home cabinets to marine wood workers say in Ventura. Once you get your stand built then you will get a better idea of the dimensions on the doors/ You could put a center brace in if you want it just makes it harder to get the sump in and out. If I can find by receipt it has all the dimensions for the 120 I am building.
 
moondoggy4 said:
gaucho30 you should be able to go to several cabinet shops in your area from custom home cabinets to marine wood workers say in Ventura. Once you get your stand built then you will get a better idea of the dimensions on the doors/ You could put a center brace in if you want it just makes it harder to get the sump in and out. If I can find by receipt it has all the dimensions for the 120 I am building.
Click to expand...

That would be great if its not too much of a hassle. Are you using the same basic skeleton that is on the first page of this post?
 
I built a stand and canopy using the method in this thread...however I have a concern about my canopy...I built it using 2x3's and 3/4" birch plywood...its sturdy as hell, but I'm nervous about the weight...

Should I have any concerns with placing this over my glass 120G tank? The glass is about 1/2" thick and has a frame, so I want to believe it will be fine.

Thanks!
 
gaucho30, for a 120g you need 2X6 for just the top frame. The legs and bottom frame can be 2X4. This would be plenty strong enough to get away with no center brace.
 
Hey everyone, I want to first say that a lot of you guys made some amazing stands! After reading this thread I came up with the conclusion to try it out. I have a 75g tank that needs a stand and instead of buying one built I want to build one myself. I really like how buccard made his stand, I like that look alot so I think I am going copy off of him(sorry!!) I do though have a few questions. I noticed I saw alot of people talking about sanding the stand down, are you guys sanding the stand frame or are you guys sanding the stand down after you put the plywood up? Another question I have is what size and what type of plywood do you suggest to use? I did have more question but just had a brain fart and can't think of them. I will repost if I remember.
 
Ok thought of something else. Since this is a 75g tank I know I need to use 2x4's, but my question is do I use 2x4's for the whole stand, meaning legs/top frame/bottom frame?
 
Will a 2x4 stand work well for a 3x3 150? I forgot to change the leg sizes and made the stand to tall to fit through my door. :( I did put a center brace on and can brace more if need be.
 
mesurements

mesurements

gaucho30 said:
I am looking into building a new stand for my 120. I have been looking through this thread and have a few questions. If I want to make the stand say 36 or 40 inches tall would 2x6's still support this? Also is their anyway to alter the design so I could install two doors that are not separated by a center brace? Could anyone recommend a good place to get doors and hinges (preferably eurpoean) and trim? Also if someone would we willing to work with me on just simply creating a design (sketch or cad + materials) I would be more than willing to pay them. Thanks and let me know.[/QUO Hopes this helps I went to a lumber store not Home Depot and I had them cut everything to length and I had them cut off top and bottom of the boards (boards are not square from the mill) this is called re-sawing, they use it for building patio covers. I spent 29 dollars for all of the wood and cutting. My stand is 49 1/8'' long by 24 7/8 wide by 34 1/2'' tall So if you wanted it taller you would have to lengthen the eight 2x4's 1 1/2'' so your stand will be 36'' tall.

Two 2X6 22''
Four 2X4 32 1/2
Eight 2X4 25 1/4''
Three 2x4 22''
Two 2x4 49 1/4''
Two 2x6 49 1/4''
Click to expand...
 
My friend built a stand for me, but didn't quite follow the plans I gave him.

IMG_0174.jpg


IMG_0172.jpg


The studs that will be supporting the bottom rim of the tank are screwed into the 2x4s and the outer frame, but are NOT directly supported from beneath. This is for a 75 gallon tank. Will it hold or should I add some 2x4s to brace the studs where the tank bottom will rest?

Thank you for your feedback.
 
Last edited:
gauho30 I used teak plywood and afromasia for the stiles and rails. Afromasia is a cheaper alternative to teak. I went ot West Marine and I spoke with finish people and got their kind of varnish. The brand is Epifanes from Holland 50 bucks a quart, with this varnish you do not need to stain it first. Next time I would go with Honduras Mahogany it is about 8 dollars a board foot where as teak is 22 a board foot. The plywood is about the same price I paid $52 for a 4x8 sheet, it is 1/4'' thick. I going to try to post a picture of the doors.
 
Here is two of the doors, one is the front door and one of the side door. <a href="http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn275/moondoggy_2008/?action=view&current=doors.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn275/moondoggy_2008/doors.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
i have a new 150 tank on the way and would like to build my stand. the dimensions are 60x24x25. i know i can use 3/4 plywood to do this...but i am sceptical of it. I have an 80g that i want to put under for a sump it is 48x18...with using 2x4's would this fit under? how much spare room?

thanks!
 
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