DIY Stands Template and Calculator
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
Watcha guys think?
I will be adding a couple of additional back supports and possibly another front support.
This is the last stand I built.
I prefer to over build
I will be adding a couple of additional back supports and possibly another front support.
This is the last stand I built.
I prefer to over build
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14921991#post14921991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MVlk
FiReBReTHa, What dimension tank are you putting on that beast! A 6 foot high tank?!?! The stock plan is over built, your last stand is in a whole new category.
Buwhahahaha
Last stand was called Atlas, this new one is going to be called hercules.
Its looking like a 48x24.....(drumroll)
...16h ...maybe 24.
room its going in.
its a 62 long stand so that way it runs the whole wall.
Rhodes19
New member
FiReBReTHa
I'm no expert, but the only thing I can think of is having some vertical and horizontal suppport directly under the short side of the tank depending on weather you center the tank or have it sit off to one side. I figure you either have an 80 or a 120 g tank based on your measurments. Would love to see some pics once you get it made.
I'm no expert, but the only thing I can think of is having some vertical and horizontal suppport directly under the short side of the tank depending on weather you center the tank or have it sit off to one side. I figure you either have an 80 or a 120 g tank based on your measurments. Would love to see some pics once you get it made.
returnofsid
New member
Wow!!!! Great write up!!! RocketEngineer, Thank you so much for all the great information!!! I think I'm ready to start building my stand. I just want to clarify something.
My tank is a 200G deep dimension. 48"X36"x27"tall. If I want to span the entire front, without a center support, should I go with 2X6, 2X8 or doubled up 2X6?
Also, I understand that the "Green" screw rails are not load bearing, but are mainly for attaching legs to top and bottom frame. Am I correct in my thinking that they are longer than legs, and long enough to allow bottom, legs and top to sit on one another and still screw the "screw rails" into bottom and top frame?
Thanks so much, again, for the amazing thread!!! I don't think I've read a more informative thread on RC, unless it was GrimReefers Q&A on T5HO lighting, which I've also put to good use!!!
My tank is a 200G deep dimension. 48"X36"x27"tall. If I want to span the entire front, without a center support, should I go with 2X6, 2X8 or doubled up 2X6?
Also, I understand that the "Green" screw rails are not load bearing, but are mainly for attaching legs to top and bottom frame. Am I correct in my thinking that they are longer than legs, and long enough to allow bottom, legs and top to sit on one another and still screw the "screw rails" into bottom and top frame?
Thanks so much, again, for the amazing thread!!! I don't think I've read a more informative thread on RC, unless it was GrimReefers Q&A on T5HO lighting, which I've also put to good use!!!
returnofsid
New member
Umm nope, haven't started buiding it yet....
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14924683#post14924683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodes19
FiReBReTHa
I'm no expert, but the only thing I can think of is having some vertical and horizontal suppport directly under the short side of the tank depending on weather you center the tank or have it sit off to one side. I figure you either have an 80 or a 120 g tank based on your measurments. Would love to see some pics once you get it made.
I added some additional supports in the middle. my goal is to have this thing done by saturday morning.
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
RocketEngineer
Space is big.
returnofsid,
Given that the sides are relatively short and almost the same length a 2X6 upper frame will be more then sufficient. The screw strips are shorter then the height of the stand but plenty long enough for a glue surface and screws.
RocketEngineer
Given that the sides are relatively short and almost the same length a 2X6 upper frame will be more then sufficient. The screw strips are shorter then the height of the stand but plenty long enough for a glue surface and screws.
RocketEngineer
returnofsid
New member
RocketEngineer, thank you for such a quick response. Not sure what you mean by relatively short sides. 36" is longer than most short sides of tanks.
From your original calculator:
"(2) Red - Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended. "
Because the tank is larger than the 125g - 150g, I assumed I'd need 2X8s, but now I read your original calculation again, and that was in the same context of a 72" tank. Hmmm....2X6 top rail it is!! Thanks again!!!
From your original calculator:
"(2) Red - Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended. "
Because the tank is larger than the 125g - 150g, I assumed I'd need 2X8s, but now I read your original calculation again, and that was in the same context of a 72" tank. Hmmm....2X6 top rail it is!! Thanks again!!!
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
me and jon spent the day finishing this thing up, making american dad and family guy qoutes the whole time laughing our booties off.
getting closer.....
FiReBReTHa
Master Blaster!
working on door right now.
Questions about tweaking a stand design.
Questions about tweaking a stand design.
I unfortunately have no idea how to use any of the fancy programs, so hopefully this comes out making some kind of sense.
I have a 100g tank with a footprint of 24"x48". The top and bottom rails will be 2x6". I need to cut a 2-4x10"-12" holes in the bottom rails as the tank which be situated right in front of my cold air returns and I need to get air through somehow.
If the stand is built with six legs, obviously 4 at the corners and two in the middle, will cutting the holes on each side of the middle legs compromise the strength of the stand enough to be a concern?
Questions about tweaking a stand design.
I unfortunately have no idea how to use any of the fancy programs, so hopefully this comes out making some kind of sense.
I have a 100g tank with a footprint of 24"x48". The top and bottom rails will be 2x6". I need to cut a 2-4x10"-12" holes in the bottom rails as the tank which be situated right in front of my cold air returns and I need to get air through somehow.
If the stand is built with six legs, obviously 4 at the corners and two in the middle, will cutting the holes on each side of the middle legs compromise the strength of the stand enough to be a concern?
returnofsid
New member
The bottom rail will have no effect on bearing any weight of the tank, except at the corners. Cutting holes in the bottom rail will effect the integrity of that particular board, but since it's not weight bearing, I think you should be just fine, as long as the holes aren't near the corners. To strengthen that area, if you plan to sheet the back of the stand, I'd recommend sheeting it before cutting the holes, and then cut holes through sheeting and bottom rail. This will strengthen it immensely.
