Do I really need 2 legs per corner?

[oba97]

I'm in the middle of building my 40B stand. It's 2x4 construction. Do I really need two legs per corner or is one fine? I plan on wrapping with 1/4" plywood. I have attached a pic of what I would like to do. Sorry for the fuzzy pic.

 

[oba97]

Hopefully a better pic.

 

[billdogg]

As long as all 4 pieces of the top frame are supported you'll be just fine, especially if you do skin it. That will also help tremendously to keep the whole thing from racking (twisting)

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

Personally i would use 1/2" ply, as the 1/4" will not add a lot in terms of racking and twisting strength... not unless you put a million nails/ screws in it...I would also glue the ply on.

 

[Bary]

Agreed on the skinning, or at least diagonal bracing to prevent shear. Without something to stop it, the frame could fold to one side.

 

[Yin_Yang247]

It's always safer to add more bracing than not enough!

 

[Thinner25]

I agree with the majority. You need bracing on all corners! Top and bottom. Right now but the look of it, the only thing holding your weight are nails/screws. There is nothing to prevent it from eventually swaying to the right or left.

 

[oba97]

I ended up adding the second let to each corner. I will skin with 1/2” ply. Thanks all for the help.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

I ended up adding the second let to each corner. I will skin with 1/2” ply. Thanks all for the help.

As an fyi, the second and third legs are essentially there as nailing strips, aren't entirely necessary... depends on the size of tank and size of 2x members used...

Properly glued and jointed ply doesn't even require 2x material...

As always can't wait to see another finished setup.. much more fun watching the build, but it is way too much work to try and post pictures on here now.