DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[strout]

Let me see if I have this right, lol. If I were to use Rocket Engineers design and I had a tank 60 inches long across the front. I could use two 2x6s or 2x8s on the top ( the red borads in his design and the side boards across the top) and then I wouldn't need a center brace for the stand?

 

[mandingCa]

I went ahead and framed this thing out...it turned out nice, but I am still concerned that the edges don't all rest above an upright.

the stand has 2x6" top rail and everything else is 2x4. The top will have 3/4 ply, the bottom and all sides will have 3/8.

I am building a stand for a multi tank frag system. I have three tanks that will go on top of one stand.

2 tank dimensions are 47 1/2"L x 18" D x 12Tall 42 gallons
the third is 47 1/2" L x 12" D x 12"Tall 32 gallons
116 total gallons on stand.

Could i modify Rockets plan to fit these three tanks?

The overall stand design would be 4'w x 6'long x 3' tall.

I am mainly concerned that the edges of the tanks wont rest directly above the 2x's.
I plan on using 2"x6" for the top rim.


Here is a ROUGH sketch
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wfs8sqBOT8UDmQ5Sbk738Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9cQz0b5Pr3U/S2TBnBPCnrI/AAAAAAAAJEk/VDbd5jhRM_s/s144/frag%20stand.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/sacbowens/TheBowenReef?feat=embedwebsite">The Bowen Reef</a></td></tr></table>

 

[Brando457]

2x6 wood x 2 pieces @ 72" red

2x6 wood x 2 pieces @ 15" yellow

2x4 wood x 4 pieces @ 23 inches green

2x6 wood x 8 pieces @ 14 inches purple

2x4 wood x 2 pieces @ 72 inches

2x6 wood x 4 pieces @ 15" blue

3/4 inch plywood for top and 1/2 plywood for sides

Does this seem like a good formula to building a stand for a 135 that is 72 x 18 x 25?

 

[Rhodes19]

Let me see if I have this right, lol. If I were to use Rocket Engineers design and I had a tank 60 inches long across the front. I could use two 2x6s or 2x8s on the top ( the red borads in his design and the side boards across the top) and then I wouldn't need a center brace for the stand?

Yup. I used 2x8 for my 180 but added a center leg to hang doors on.

 

[Rhodes19]

I went ahead and framed this thing out...it turned out nice, but I am still concerned that the edges don't all rest above an upright.

the stand has 2x6" top rail and everything else is 2x4. The top will have 3/4 ply, the bottom and all sides will have 3/8.

I hadn't considered making a stand like that or seen any similar ones made, but, if I was doing it, I would add a 2x6 down the center (left side to right side) of the top frame to add support to the middle and place a leg under each end. That would provide more support to the 3/4" top plywood. I'm sure that is over kill but I think that would work. Lets see if anyone else with a similar design and experience will chime in. HTH

 

[Rhodes19]

2x6 wood x 2 pieces @ 72" red

2x6 wood x 2 pieces @ 15" yellow

2x4 wood x 4 pieces @ 23 inches green

2x6 wood x 8 pieces @ 14 inches purple

2x4 wood x 2 pieces @ 72 inches

2x6 wood x 4 pieces @ 15" blue

3/4 inch plywood for top and 1/2 plywood for sides

Does this seem like a good formula to building a stand for a 135 that is 72 x 18 x 25?

Hi Brando,

Looks good but I'd like to make some suggestions if I may. The top frame should be 2x6 like you have but everything else can be 2x4s. The purple and blue pieces can be 2x4. If the bottom blue pieces are taller than the orange pieces , that will throw your leg measurements off. You might want to make the stand about 1/4" wider and longer. When I made my stand, I made it about 1/4" longer and wider to make sure the tank rim sat solidly on the 2xs (also to compensate for any bad cuts I may have made). If your tank is a glass tank with the plastic rim, you don't need a plywood top. If your tank is acrylic, then a plywood top is needed with some foam boards. HTH

 

[DolphinLVR]

Ok, Anyone use a Roto Zip to cut out the openings in the finish plywood?

 

[Rhodophyta]

Hi Brando,

Looks good but I'd like to make some suggestions if I may. The top frame should be 2x6 like you have but everything else can be 2x4s. The purple and blue pieces can be 2x4. If the bottom blue pieces are taller than the orange pieces , that will throw your leg measurements off. You might want to make the stand about 1/4" wider and longer. When I made my stand, I made it about 1/4" longer and wider to make sure the tank rim sat solidly on the 2xs (also to compensate for any bad cuts I may have made). If your tank is a glass tank with the plastic rim, you don't need a plywood top. If your tank is acrylic, then a plywood top is needed with some foam boards. HTH

I don't buy into that. Everything can be two by fours except the leg verticals. Because those are being notched out they are essentially two by fours. Two "studs" screewed and glued together with a half inch plywood "filling" between them is strong enough to bridge a six foot span without deflection detected by a laser level beam.

 

[Brando457]

What screws does eeryone use? Plain wood or something else?

 

[Rhodophyta]

What screws does eeryone use? Plain wood or something else?

Wood screws are stronger than deck screws but cost more. Drywall screws are too frail and the heads pop off if you try to use them in wood.

 

[Brando457]

Also I forgot to ask I see some stands with metal brackets in each corner are those necessary?

 

[mandingCa]

deck screws. 2 1/2" and 3"

I will have some pictures soon of this project. I replaced the upper beams with 2"x6" beams and supports(2). no center leg.


What is the preferred method of waterproofing the wood?

 

[mandingCa]

Also I forgot to ask I see some stands with metal brackets in each corner are those necessary?

Some of those metal stands are outstanding. very clean lines.

just make sure it is coated and ready for the longhaul.

 

[Rhodophyta]

deck screws. 2 1/2" and 3"

I will have some pictures soon of this project. I replaced the upper beams with 2"x6" beams and supports(2). no center leg.


What is the preferred method of waterproofing the wood?

Dip it in Plasti-Cote:dance:

 

[ceige]

since the tank is only supported by the corners can you just use 1/4 plywood on the top? I want to use it more for rigidity than anything else... TIA

 

[Rhodes19]

I don't buy into that. Everything can be two by fours except the leg verticals. Because those are being notched out they are essentially two by fours. Two "studs" screewed and glued together with a half inch plywood "filling" between them is strong enough to bridge a six foot span without deflection detected by a laser level beam.

Ok, I guess I missed something. What notching are you referring to? RocketEngineer's original plan doesn't have any notching in its design. I guess you could glue and screw 2x4s with plywood for a 6' span, Never done it before. I figure it would be easier and quicker just to get a 2x6 or bigger and cut it to length.

 

[Rhodes19]

What screws does eeryone use? Plain wood or something else?

Deck screws will be fine. You are only using them to hold the frame in place until the glue dries and to hold the legs in place. All the weight of the tank is resting on the frame with the legs directly underneath it.

 

[Rhodes19]

Also I forgot to ask I see some stands with metal brackets in each corner are those necessary?

No, they're not necessary. If I were to use them, I would use them to hold the wood together while the glue dries. HTH

 

[Rhodes19]

What is the preferred method of waterproofing the wood?

A lot of folks will just paint the wood with a coat or 2 of latex paint. I had some left over primer and white latex and that's what I used.

 

[Rhodes19]

since the tank is only supported by the corners can you just use 1/4 plywood on the top? I want to use it more for rigidity than anything else... TIA

Sure that'll work. How's Boston? I'm from Gloucester originally. :wavehand: