DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[masharp1126]

Hoping someone can help answer a question for me. I've built a 450g plywood tank that has a footprint of 72" x 48". My question is in regards to the stand.

You can see it pretty good in this picture

Front

The stand is approximately 40" high. The top and bottom frames are built of 2" x 6"s. The top is covered with 3/4" plywood, which the tank then sits on.

The front of the tank sits on the half wall created by the opening in the wall, and in addition to that, I have added three (3) 2" x 6" vertical supports at each corner and in the middle, for a total of 9 vertical supports. The back of the tank sits on two vertical legs consisting of four (4) 2" x 6" vertical legs each. In each corner, two of the verticals boards are sandwiched between the upper and lower frames, and the other two are screwed inside the frames, from the floor to the bottom of the plywood top. Hope that makes sense.

My big question is, will this support 3,500 to 4,000 pounds, and do so without having to add a middle vertical support leg under the back of the tank?

The length across the back is 72". Subtracting 5.5" for each 2" x 6" vertical leg, leaves an unsupported space of 61".

Would make it much easier to work in and around the sump if I could leave it open, but willing to add a couple of more 2" x 6" vertical supports in the middle, if it absolutely needs them.

Or could I get by with another 2" x 6" glued and screwed horizontally to the top frame. The tank wouldn't be sitting on it, but it would add some strength to the existing 2 x 6 span.

Here's a drawing.

 

[TheFishMan65]

I am no expert on this. My concern would be the ply wood dropping out in the center. Like acrylic I think (but don't know) a plywood tanks need some support for the bottom (cross bracing).

 

[masharp1126]

Forgot to mention that. It does have two (2) 2x6's cross supporting the tank. The two end pieces and the cross pieces are on 18" centers.

 

[TheFishMan65]

How are they tied into the frame?

 

[masharp1126]

Here's some better pics. BTW, bottom frame rests on 3/4" plywood on the bottom. Did this to distribute the weight more evenly over the entire 48" x 72" area.

Right Side

Left side

Right side, looking up

Left side, looking up

There are actually 3 cross supports (2x6's) in addition to the 2 end pieces.

If this isn't strong enough, on it's own, then a couple of options, to increase the strength would be:

First, and preferable, if it would suffice. Add a 2x6 along the back length, glued and screwed to the existing 2x6.

or add support in the middle. Hoping to avoid this, but will do if deemed necessary.

Hoping there is someone with the engineering knowledge to be able to let me know how to proceed. Ready to fill with water, just waiting on an answer.

Thanks, in advance, for any help that is given.

 

[TheFishMan65]

It maybe fine. What I am worried about is the cross braces splitting where the screws are and basically not holding any weight. My first choice is close the the last picture, but turn the added board 90 degree so it is under the cross brace. And ideally do it for all 3. Yes, it makes it hard to work under the tank.

An alternative is to get some joist hangers and add those. People were talking about them a few pages back, but I have not heard any reports good or bad. Just make sure they are tight up against the cross braces.

I am not sure the added 2x6 across the back would do much. It might. However if you do this, you should probably add supports for it at the ends. I think that would help much more than just the 2x6.

 

[ludiNano]

Building 60x18 stand that will fit 72x36 stand in future

Building 60x18 stand that will fit 72x36 stand in future

hello all, im setting up a 125g in-wall tank. Its 60''x18x25.

In the future i want will want to upgrade to a 72x30x25 (240g) , and i want to make it as streamline as possible.

How to i make a stand that will fit the 60x18x25 and can put 72x30x25 on it in future?

I would like it to be 4 foot tall too.

I know i should use 2x8 for red/yellow and purple in layout. But i dont think i want the smaller of the two tanks 60x18 in the middle of the 72x30 stand.

It may help for u to know i dont need the inside of stand for a sump or anything, maybe just some storage of extra supplies. I would be putting double 1/2 sheet of plywood on top for a a lip, and yes i would have to stand on it to access the 18'' wide tank.

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Wherever you place to 60 inch tank make sure you have a leg in each corner and you should be fine.in

 

[bennyhanna1]

just built a frame for my 40g, it turned out so-so. The perfectionist in me isn't satisfied, but for a frame that won't be seen, it's good. It's just about level, i'm not too concerned because of the small size of the tank.

I didn't have any proper tools or workspace, no clamps, table saws, etc. so I made do with what I had. Thanks for the template!

 

[fishyman12]

Bad Mistake?

Bad Mistake?

I just built my stand and when we finished we realized the width was 2 inches too wide. The length is perfect though. So.. we added two more 2x4s to the top frame in order to support ply wood to lay on top? will this suffice without cracking or failing?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Are those across the back? So the tank is on them.
Do they have legs under them?
If both are yes then you should be fine. If not can you post a picture. Also how big is the tank?

 

[tnorthern]

Ok pros, I need a little input. I am in the process of building a stand for my new 72" long 210 gallon tank.
Two questions, if I do a 2X8 top frame rail and I want to have a center brace just for strength (removable perhaps?) can I use a 2x6 the support the 2X8 in the middle front and back?
I am also thinking that the base can be built out of 2X6 instead of 2x8 because it is spreading the load rather than carrying the weight. Is that accurate? Do you see any failure points here that I am not thinking of? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Accoring to the OP. You can use 2x6 for the top frame and no center post is needed. Also 2x4 for the bottom. Is the tank glass or acrylic?

 

[tnorthern]

It is a glass tank, from reading through more of the thread I see that 2X8s are only needed for the top rail when it is over 150 gallons, so doing a top rail of 2x8s with a middle support would be slightly over built and I can make it removable just in case.
I will use 2x4s for the uprights and the base and skin three sides with 1/2" plywood. You should be able to park a small truck on my stand when it is done.

 

[AeonPhoenix]

Wow. Cool thread. I have the a humdinger of a project coming up that I have yet to find any plans for: A 26g bow front stand with room in the cabinet for a either a 20H or 15g sump.

I have scoured the internet and there is not a stock 26g bow front stand in exsistence that will house even a lousy 10g sump :/

 

[c_wall87]

Correct me if im wrong but based on the plans given in this thread and the calculator i used. for a 48x18 90g tank my dimension would need to be 48.75x18.57 in order to compensate for the thickness of the plastic bracing and for the edge of the tank to be on the center of each 2x4???

 

[TheFishMan65]

If the tank is 48 inches then this leaves 3/8 on each side for open wood. If the frame is centered then there is 3/8 uncovered and unseen. So a total of 3/4 of wood undcovered on the 2x4. Which means the frame is 1 inch wide. So if the tank is truly 48x18 (my 75 is not) and it has a 1 inch wide frame then I would say your numbers are correct.

 

[jonnyringo]

Well i am getting back into the hobby and will be setting up a 2'x2'x2' tank. This is the stand design I came up with. The stand is 48"x25"x36". I have made the right side of the stand lower and the top will be hinged to access sump equipment. The entire stand is built with 2x4's with the exception of the right side skin framing which is 1x2's. Anyone see any issues with it?

 

[TheFishMan65]

As long as you don't place anything heavy on the right you look good. Why not use 2x4 for the whole thing? I don't think good 1x2 are that much cheaper than 2x4s.

 

[jonnyringo]

As long as you don't place anything heavy on the right you look good. Why not use 2x4 for the whole thing? I don't think good 1x2 are that much cheaper than 2x4s.

I made it out of 1x2's thinking it wasn't going to be supporting anything but a couple planks of cherrywood so 2x4's would be way overkill. but rethinking it I might just use the 2x4's for consistency and in case someone mistakes it for a seat or something haha.