DIY Stands Template and Calculator
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I am building a 96"Lx48"Wx24"H tank. So for the stand I will need 2"x8"s for the top with maybe 2 center braces, 2"x6"s for legs supported in the back with 2"x4"s. Will that be suffice?
TheFishMan65
New member
Once again if I am doing the number right.
You need a center support. That will be almost 500 gallons. Without a center support on the 8 foot length you could have 1/2 inch of deflection. Adding the center cuts it down to a wee bit over 1/16th.
You need a center support. That will be almost 500 gallons. Without a center support on the 8 foot length you could have 1/2 inch of deflection. Adding the center cuts it down to a wee bit over 1/16th.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
bereanracer
New member
By center brace he means that you need a vertical supper (leg) in the middle of the 96in horizontal run.
However, this is a prett wide tank. My concern would be that by supporting it only along the perimeter, load in the center of the tank wouldn't be properly distributed to the beams (and then to the legs). If you didn't want legs in the middle, you could use 4 2x12s spaced 1 foot apart which would give you .077in deflection. Otherwise you can use 2x6s spaced 1 foot apart with legs in the middle of each, resulting in the same deflection. (This is based on the formulas that Rocket posted earlier.)
However, this is a prett wide tank. My concern would be that by supporting it only along the perimeter, load in the center of the tank wouldn't be properly distributed to the beams (and then to the legs). If you didn't want legs in the middle, you could use 4 2x12s spaced 1 foot apart which would give you .077in deflection. Otherwise you can use 2x6s spaced 1 foot apart with legs in the middle of each, resulting in the same deflection. (This is based on the formulas that Rocket posted earlier.)
bereanracer
New member
After rerunning the numbers, 3 2x12s or 2x6s supported in the center would work too, resulting in .1in deflection. (I think 1/8in was the limit)
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
TheFishMan65
New member
Is the tank glass or acrylic? Does it have a frame?
If it is framed extra boards down the center won't help as they don't get any weight.
My math says that two 2x12 is not enough. Close deflection of .144 and the design goal was .125.
If there is no frame you can use three 2x12s. Deflection .096 - correct racer?
If it is framed extra boards down the center won't help as they don't get any weight.
My math says that two 2x12 is not enough. Close deflection of .144 and the design goal was .125.
If there is no frame you can use three 2x12s. Deflection .096 - correct racer?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
bereanracer
New member
Based on using 3 beams this is what I mean. The red beams are 96in long and the blue ones are 93in. The yellow beams are 45in long. The top layer is made up of 2x12s. The legs are 2x6s. The bottom is made of 2x4s. I didn't draw the screw strips. With this setup, the 2x12s would deflect .1in based on RocketEngineer's formulas.
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TheFishMan65
New member
Pretty much what racer says, but there is no reason (that I know of) that the legs can't be made from 2x4s
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
TheFishMan65
New member
Yes
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
Newbie Aquarist,
What is going under the tank? Are you trying to put a sump under the tank?
Depending on how you plan the setup will determine what size lumber you will need. According to your build thread the sump is 72" X 36" X 24" which means you either need a 73" opening in the side or a 36" opening at the end. With a center brace on the 96" side, you could slide the sump in from the end if you have enough room. If not, the three beam design proposed by bereanracer would work.
RocketEngineer
What is going under the tank? Are you trying to put a sump under the tank?
Depending on how you plan the setup will determine what size lumber you will need. According to your build thread the sump is 72" X 36" X 24" which means you either need a 73" opening in the side or a 36" opening at the end. With a center brace on the 96" side, you could slide the sump in from the end if you have enough room. If not, the three beam design proposed by bereanracer would work.
RocketEngineer
TheFishMan65
New member
Yes here you go
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Yes I am putting a sump under the tank. Bereanracer idea was great and I will be building the stand tomorrow through the picture he gave me.
since he only needs a 73" unsupported span in the front, not the 82" span given by Bereanracer's picture (86" w/ 2x4 legs), he could add a vertical 2x4 leg on each side in the front, leaving only the 73" span in the middle. If he did that, what is the minimum sized lumber he would need for the front horizontal beam?
I would guess that a 2x8 would be enough, but somebody please run the numbers to be sure.
A 2x8 is 4" shorter than a 2x12, and it would be nice to have 4" less obstruction from the front.
Am I correct that 2x6 would be sufficient for the 45" side horizontals, and also for the rear horizontal if he added a vertical 2x4 leg in the center of the rear beam?
I would guess that a 2x8 would be enough, but somebody please run the numbers to be sure.
A 2x8 is 4" shorter than a 2x12, and it would be nice to have 4" less obstruction from the front.
Am I correct that 2x6 would be sufficient for the 45" side horizontals, and also for the rear horizontal if he added a vertical 2x4 leg in the center of the rear beam?
TheFishMan65
New member
Not exactly sure where you got the 73 (or the 82 and 86) inches from, but it would need a 2x10.
No a 2x6 will not work for the side rails.
I think you may have missed the fact that the tanks is 48 inches back to front.
No a 2x6 will not work for the side rails.
I think you may have missed the fact that the tanks is 48 inches back to front.
