DIY Stands Template and Calculator

I had another question, how do i determine if my stand's top is flat? I read something about putting slips of paper between the tank and the top and gauge the difference of the amount of force needed to pull the paper out. It seems there is a difference between level and flat. I'm not sure i understand the difference. If the tank is not flat, wouldn't the level be able to sense it?
 
You would think that a level could sense that, but check this out. Say you have a 4' long piece of wood that's perfectly level, now bang that wood with a hammer in the middle. You have just created a little dent in the wood. When you place the level over the wood, it will still read level, but the wood is no longer flat. That's the problem with wood bought from HD or lowes. It's not perfect and you have to hunt to find good pieces. I think it's better to buy a piece of wood that is true (straight) because it will help get a level surface. But do to the nature of the wood (dents easily) you may not have a flat surface. The easiest thing to do is to put a piece of plywood on top of the stand. This will greatly help in achieving a flat surface. I had the same problem with my stand. It was level, but not flat. So I added a 3/4" plywood top and I almost got a perfectly flat surface. With a rimmed glass tank, which is what I have, only the corners need to be supported. Check out my build thread for the pics.
 
Yeah, i checked out your thread. Those corner pieces were kinda cool :) But I bought a piece of plywood, but i was under the impression that even with a plywood top, you can still get a non-flat surface? I guess not. Plywood seems pretty rigid. Sucks that my stuff is not at home with me :( I would get some pictures to show you when it's done. Thanks for all the help :)
 
A plywood piece will help get you a more flat surface, but if the wood it's covering is really jacked, the plywood will have dips in it too. Just not as much as the wood it's covering. I think it has to do with the way the wood is stored. I've seen several people when looking for 2x4/2x6s just throw the wood around 'til the find the perfect piece. Well you know what? All that wood they just shuffled through gets thrown right back on top of the pile at the end of the night. Creating more jacked lumber. I've never seen anybody treat a 3/4" 4x8 piece of plywood that way. I'm a biggish dude, about 6'1" and 250lbs. And I can't even treat a plywood sheet that way. Plus the plywood is always stored so neat. Neat stacks, and when you take it of, you usaually slide it out instead of just yanking it. You should get a build thread going. That's one of the easiest ways to get help as you go step by step. And sometimes people chime in and say, "while your at it..." which is great. Because the best advice comes from people who have actually done what you're trying to do.
 
Yeah, i heard home-depot's wood sucks, so i didnt get it from them. I got it from a local hardwood store that has some nice pieces of wood. They were nice and smooth and clean looking, but a few splinters here and there. I got the plywood from there too. It seemed pretty nice. I dont plan on staining it though. Lots of Krylon primer to cover up the grain of the plywood and a few coat of Krylon fusion. Never really liked the look of wood.

And will do. Thanks a bunch for all your help. My stuff is currently at our family funeral home, so i have to go out there tomorrow and bring it home. I have no idea why i decided to leave it there. Anyways, I'll try to get a build thread up within a few days. Already said that, but hopefully i actually get something done haha
 
I have been following this thread for some time now and have finished the structure part my tank stand using the calculator. I still need to enclose the stand and canopy.


The tank is 48in L x 48in W x 18in H. I found it locally here in Tampa on Craigslist. The top of the tank(with the stand) sits at about 5' 6". It is located in the center of the room (entry room in our house) and the tank is eye level (for me atleast). It is also perfect when sitting on a barstool.

The only addition I did was an additional support brace across the top. I was concerned with the lengths and plus it is acrylic. Other that the height and widths are all based on the calculations provided. All joints are glued and screwed with the exception of the connections of legs to the lower and upper frame. I left those unglued so that I can remove the tank (if that day occurs).

IMG_0349.jpg


Unpainted (5 gal bucket for size reference).

IMG_0354.jpg


Unpainted - Underneath (2 x 2in Plumbing)

IMG_0397.jpg


Painted (Kilz) -- Front

IMG_0398.jpg


Painted (Kilz) -- Back

The stand is sitting on a rubber mat to help distribute the weight over that tile.

Thanks,
MrBlack
 
For those that have built your own wood stand... what is the logic behind raising the inside floor of the stand versus simply having the floor of the stand flush with the floor of the room?
 
raised floor

raised floor

ChrisBuono said:
For those that have built your own wood stand... what is the logic behind raising the inside floor of the stand versus simply having the floor of the stand flush with the floor of the room?
Click to expand...

You need the crossbars for support and strength, so the logical place to put the bottom shelf is on those supports.
 
The original design does not have cross bars. They do add some support, but are not required. Nothing prevents you from placing your sump on the floor. However if the floor is not level you may need to shim your sump. It gives some added height to the sump with out the shelf, but also makes it a little more awkward to get the sump in and out. It must be lifted as well as pulled out. I have pulled an 18 gallon rubber maid container out 1/2 full of water. I don't think I could have done it with out the shelf.
 
Hi guys,

This is a great thread which has inspired me to possibly build my own cabinet.

Seeing as I am very "un-handy" I would appreciate some advice from the more knowledgable members.

I am planning to build a 48w x 36d x 39h frame, what size would be recommended to use taking into account the depth of the frame, as well as the height.

Any advice greatly appreciated, many thanks.

Dee.
 
Deester said:
I am planning to build a 48w x 36d x 39h frame, what size would be recommended to use taking into account the depth of the frame, as well as the height.
Click to expand...

Sorry guys, what I actually meant to say was, for a glass tank of the above dimensions ... Should I use 2x4's or 2x6's ?

I assuming it would 2x6's due to the extra depth, would that then mean using 2x6's up top and 2x4's on the bottom ?

Many thanks for any advice ... I am a DIY newbie

Cheers,

Dee.
 
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