Help with DIY ADA stand

[Dice750]

I'll be building an ADA looking stand for my rimless 66 gal tank. I want the stand to be flush with the tank so it will be exactly 48"L x 20"W (same footprint as tank).
I'm planning on using only 3/4" plywood and 1 2"x6" for the header over the doors. I'm basing myself off this build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1213499

The difference with my build is I'd like to eliminate the 2 2"x4" holding up the 2"x6". I was wondering if I could cut out a notch in my side panels and have those support the 2"x6" like this:








Should this be strong enough to support the aquarium? My reason for eliminating the 2 2"x4" is so I can install euro hinges with 3/4" overlay and have my doors span the whole width of my stand.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I would think this would be ok,3/4'' plywood is strong enough to hold up the weight.

 

[EvenFurther]

Looks ok to me.

Here's another similar design/tank size thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2477081

I'm in the process of building an oversized stand, roughly 58" x 23" for a 75. Its basically a plywood box on a 2 x 4 support frame. Its got tall height, 37" length opening.

 

[uncleof6]

I'll be building an ADA looking stand for my rimless 66 gal tank. I want the stand to be flush with the tank so it will be exactly 48"L x 20"W (same footprint as tank).
I'm planning on using only 3/4" plywood and 1 2"x6" for the header over the doors. I'm basing myself off this build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1213499

The difference with my build is I'd like to eliminate the 2 2"x4" holding up the 2"x6". I was wondering if I could cut out a notch in my side panels and have those support the 2"x6" like this:
View attachment 313992

View attachment 313993

View attachment 313994

View attachment 313995

Should this be strong enough to support the aquarium? My reason for eliminating the 2 2"x4" is so I can install euro hinges with 3/4" overlay and have my doors span the whole width of my stand.

Any advice is appreciated.

The OP of the thread you linked to, said himself that he would have eliminated the 2 x 4 framing on his build, had he to do it over again. On the other hand, there should be a vertical in the middle of the span, as even a 2 x 6 would deflect. It need not be a 2 x 4, however. There is nothing in the rule book that says that vertical cannot be removable, for easier access. You just want it "tight" when it is in place.

One thing though, the back panel of the stand should not be closed up. It should have healthy cutouts, or you will end up with mildew city rather than an aquarium stand.

Also, if you are good with the design, a door can be installed on an end to slide the sump in through. There can be a lot of subtlety in a simple plywood box, that is not difficult to incorporate, if you sit down and think about it.

 

[Dice750]

The OP of the thread you linked to, said himself that he would have eliminated the 2 x 4 framing on his build, had he to do it over again. On the other hand, there should be a vertical in the middle of the span, as even a 2 x 6 would deflect. It need not be a 2 x 4, however. There is nothing in the rule book that says that vertical cannot be removable, for easier access. You just want it "tight" when it is in place.

One thing though, the back panel of the stand should not be closed up. It should have healthy cutouts, or you will end up with mildew city rather than an aquarium stand.

Also, if you are good with the design, a door can be installed on an end to slide the sump in through. There can be a lot of subtlety in a simple plywood box, that is not difficult to incorporate, if you sit down and think about it.

OK so I'll keep my original design and add a center support. The OP of the thread I posted simply put a thin 3/4" plywood support that was only held there by friction. Seems to me like that wouldn't provide much support but you guys know more about this stuff than I do.

As for the back I will make sure that my cutouts are larger than what is shown in my pictures.

 

[Dice750]

Actually after rereading his thread I again I realized that the support he put in the center was solely to prevent light from shining through the gap between the doors. He indicated that it wasn't structural.

Also RocketEngineer's stand design doesn't have a center support and he indicates that a 2x4" running lengthwise would be fine for my size tank. According to RocketEngineer's calculations a 48" 2x6 supporting 1000lbs will only defelct 0.069".