I am looking for some thoughts and guidance on a new build I will be starting in the next few weeks. I will be doing an in-wall setup with a 240 gallon acrylic tank. The tank will be setup in the garage, viewable in the Den. The garage floor is about 3ft lower than the floor in the Den so the tank will need to be 5-6ft off the garage floor. This creates an issue with servicing the tank, so my plan is to construct an oversize tank stand (92"x48") that will allow me to walk around the back and both sides. I will build a room within the garage around this to enclose everything. The sump will need to go under this stand, though their won't be much headroom at all...still trying to figure out how to handle that....
What I need help with is how to best construct this stand to support the weight of the tank with minimal vertical support under the stand so I have room to maneuver under there. I know that when you build a regular stand your support is around the perimeter of the tank. What I would like to do is have the support around the perimeter of my stand, not the tank, and I am not sure how best to do that as far as which direction the joists should go and what dimension lumber, etc.....can this be done without vertical supports directly under the tank?
I hope this is all somewhat clear....here are a few simple diagrams to illustrate the idea. I am new to Sketchup so this is the best I could do!
In this one it shows that the platform will be built into the wall only under the tank to support the front edge...
Thanks in advance!
What I need help with is how to best construct this stand to support the weight of the tank with minimal vertical support under the stand so I have room to maneuver under there. I know that when you build a regular stand your support is around the perimeter of the tank. What I would like to do is have the support around the perimeter of my stand, not the tank, and I am not sure how best to do that as far as which direction the joists should go and what dimension lumber, etc.....can this be done without vertical supports directly under the tank?
I hope this is all somewhat clear....here are a few simple diagrams to illustrate the idea. I am new to Sketchup so this is the best I could do!
In this one it shows that the platform will be built into the wall only under the tank to support the front edge...
Thanks in advance!
