How much support did you use in your stand?

[Laakmann]

I am building a new stand for my 125 gallon and I want some advice and your experience.


How many supports do you have under your wooden DIY stand and how big of a tank is it supporting?.

Currently my plan is to make a frame out of 4x4s and 4x3s


Basicly I am making a 4x4 frame that the tank will sit on

Now under each corner of the tank I will have a vertical 4x4 supporting the wieght and then a 4x3 to support the wieght in the center of both of the longer sides. Do you think this could work assuming everything is rigidly attached.

I know alot of info is not included but I just want to know if 4 4x4s and 2 4x3s can support the wieght of a 125 gallon ( prolly 1500 to 1700lb).

 

[marino420td]

Here is a picture of the finished framing of my 120 gal stand

I have at least 2- 2X4's at each corner. Very solid.

 

[Laakmann]

that looks great, that gives me some great ideas for my stand, thanks.

 

[marino420td]

Here is a thread documenting the entire construction process. HTH.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=787189

 

[Laakmann]

that is insane man, I cant believe how detailed that is, lol

I would love to see some more pics of the bare bones of peoples DIY stands

 

[GROSSR]

I used a 2x6 across the front and back and no center support for a 90.

2x6 are very strong. Look at the stands that Oceanic and AGA have, very minimal material and they do the job.

rich

 

[Laakmann]

I like the idea of 2x6s, I need to have a way to fit a 29 gallon acrylic under it and 2 20gallon longs. If I used 2x6s that would not allow for any large access hole tp put them in through (one of the reasons I am building my own stand)

Got any ideas on how to solve that?

 

[dngspot]

I usually build a 72"Wx18"Dx27"H 150 Gallon tank with a 4x4 box on top as you have done and do the same on the bottom. I then add 6 4x4 legs under the box 4 on ends and 2 in the center. I then build a 4x4 box under the legs. I cap both top and bottom with 3/4 particle board then skin. It has proven to be a very strong frame. I also attachments are made with lag bolts, countersunk into the wood.

 

[Laakmann]

I was going to do mine with 90 degree bracings holding everything together and then gravity support the wieght. Doing it with bolts eats up to much space under the tank for my liking.

 

[GARFVolunteer]

2x6s, 4x4s, 3x4s, and 2x4s are seldom needed to construct a very solid stand. Check out the store bought stands. You may think they are very flimsy when they are actually solid. Think of the law suits the manufacturers would have against them if they weren't. The shear strength of wood is amazing.

Here is a links that may help:
http://www.idahoreefs.org/Tank/BuildStand_2.asp

For those that still want overkill:
http://www.idahoreefs.org/Tank/BuildLargeStand_2.asp

Thanks,

Scott

 

[bigtex52]

As long as everything stays in perfect shear, plumb and level, I couldn't agree more. The only reason I built the stand for my 110 Tall with overkill, is I worry about that much weight being 36" off of the floor and any kind of twisting,racking, etc. At a LFS sale event last Saturday, I was speaking with the Oceanic rep about this and he told me that he has seen their stands show up on a road truck where they have completely fallen apart in the box in transit ( maybe load shifted or rough handling??). That is pretty spooky to me...:eek1:

Ted

 

[Laakmann]

The twisting effect I am planning to get rid up by attaching a 1/2 piece of plywood in the back on a vertical plane to the supports.

I am building mine so that it is 33 off the ground


right now the most attractive supports that I have seen are 2 2x6s in an L shape at the corners and a 2x4 support on each side in the center, that gives me alot more space inside the stand than the 4x4 frame and is the most effecient for holding the wieght from the looks of it.


Definatly going to be testing the set up out on the lawn first, lol


just a thought, I might build the stand to be 74x24 at the base with a 36in hieght so that I have more space under it and a little 5.5" tray out front that I can put stuff on.

 

[dngspot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7753118#post7753118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laakmann
I was going to do mine with 90 degree bracings holding everything together and then gravity support the wieght. Doing it with bolts eats up to much space under the tank for my liking.

Lag screws not bolts, my mistake. They are counter sunk and will not be seen after the plywood is installed. I skinned with 3/4 inch oak plywood it was attached with drywall screws, this forms a very ridged frame and serves as the gussets..

 

[GROSSR]

At each corner I used 2x4's to form a L shape. I have no support any where in the middle. I have a 30 gallon sump, a 22 gallon (diy square shape) and my skimmer about 8 x 14 all underneath the tank.

What I did was extend the floor of the stand so it stuck out from the back about 5". My overflow is a lifereef so I measured that and added that depth to the floor. This allows me a bit more room under the tank.

rich

 

[RokleM]

Go for overkill!

 

[Laakmann]

thats what I was originally planning

 

[nyvp]

Go steel 8 )

 

[Chad Vossen]

im about to make a stand for a 65 gallon tank. this is going to be alot of help!

 

[RokleM]

For those that are not woodworking experts (that monster stand was one of the first major projects I've done where it really needs to be built correct), check out this link. Very easy instructions, especially if you're doing just the frame.