Help Building a Stand

[Tswifty]

Ok well I've decided to move forward on my project, and would like to get the frame built for my garage setup this weekend.

The rack will need to house two 75g tanks above and below each other. Plus I will need to locate the top one high enough so that I can lift a skimmer in and out, and perform maintenance to the bottom tank easily.

I was basically going to build this as 2 seperate pieces, out of 2x4's just like normal aquarium stands. However, my concern is that the bottom won't be large enough to fit a 75g tank.

So my question is... How do I build this? :lol:

If I expand the dimensions so that the tank can fit below, then the top tank will no longer be resting on the supporting rails. Can I run more blue pieces across the top to compensate for this?

Any advice would definitely be appreciated.

 

[Aadler]

For sure, just run two additional blue pieces along the top (or bottom), where the end(s) of the 75g tanks will be. I myself like putting a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of stands like this.

 

[Aadler]

FOr a bit of added room put the 2x4's along the bottom of the tank on their sides to gain an extra 2" of clearance.

 

[Jeff Trout]

HI,TJ
why does it have to be a 75g?what about a 50g there just shorter.

 

[Tswifty]

I'd like it for the space... The skimmer has a 13" x 17" footprint, plus I would like to house my reactors in the sump in case they would leak.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327904#post13327904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aadler
For sure, just run two additional blue pieces along the top (or bottom), where the end(s) of the 75g tanks will be. I myself like putting a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of stands like this.

That's what I was thinking of doing. I was just worried it wouldn't be enough support.

 

[Aadler]

it will be fine, run the extra 2x4s and use the 3/4" ply, you could put MUCH more weight on it than a 75g.

I myself like using 4x4s for the legs, but if you dont have the tools to notch them (for the 2x4s) then it isn't worth it.

 

[DEERE G]

I have built stands with that same configuration for myself and others. I like to start out that same way. Although I use 2x6's ripped down to 5" from 5 1/2". Overkill , maybe. The lumber is nice and square on the edges then. Where you have the green and purple boards vertically in your drawing i like to use carriage bolts to fasten these together on a diagonal toward the top and bottom. It is then next to impossible to rack or skew.The rest I screw and glue. The stand my 120 is on is built like that and then skinned and trimmed. I could park my dually on it no problem.(lol) It has worked well for me over the years. Keith

 

[DEERE G]

Correction , I attach the GREEN and RED boards in your drawing with carriage bolts. Not the green and purple ones.

 

[Tswifty]

Gotcha... thanks I feel a little better about it now.

I was just worried that since the tank won't be sitting directly on the RED boards that I would be chancing a failure.

I'll plan on adding a few extra blue boards, and a plywood top.

I may have a few more questions once I start the stand for my 220 though :eek2:

I plan on building the frame, then skinning it in a fashion similiar to my current 90g tank.

 

[vivek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13328659#post13328659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
I'd like it for the space... The skimmer has a 13" x 17" footprint, plus I would like to house my reactors in the sump in case they would leak.

what skimmer are you going to use?

vivek

 

[Kreeger1]

Tossing out the don't use treated lumber comment

If you need someone to look at what you built and give you a heads up let me know, or if your starting and need some pointers I could give you a few.
Erik

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13336709#post13336709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vivek
what skimmer are you going to use?

vivek

Initially I'll probably go with the Marine Solutions MSX-300.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13336757#post13336757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kreeger1
Tossing out the don't use treated lumber comment

If you need someone to look at what you built and give you a heads up let me know, or if your starting and need some pointers I could give you a few.
Erik

Thanks Erik. Any help/advice is always welcomed. I'm planning on picking up the wood tomorrow, and am hoping to get the garage set-up started this weekend.

I'm primarily concerned about the structure of the stand. Since the top tank wont be sitting on the outside supporting rails, due to the fact I'll need to make sure there is enough room to house another 75 tank underneath.

Also, I was planning on building two separate stands then attaching them together with a few bolts to make the L.

 

[Rhodophyta]

I have four wood stands built to hold a 90 or 75 on top and a 75 underneath. You can come look at them before you start yours if I'm not too far away.