Probably a stupid question... re: diy tank stand

dreaminmel

dreaminmel

New member
We're building a stand for the 120g using this method:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

Is there any reasonable explanation on why I have to use screws? I've got a whole box of Grip Rite framing nails that are 3-1/4" x .131"...

I've been reading stuff online about shear strength vs. this vs. that and just figured I'd ask you guys. Has anyone here used nails on their stand?
 
Framing nails are much stronger than drywall screws. That said, either will work fine. We tend to overbuild - have you seen my stand? Way overkill. I think a better, easier design involves using 3/4" finish plywood as the main body of the stand. Add a few trim boards afterwords for aesthetics. I'm really not a big fan of 2x4 stands, of course, that's what mine is... Anyways.
 
Nails suck. You want to use quality wood glue and screws. Nails will work lose over time an wont be able to draw the lumber together like a screw will. Gorilla glue will be stronger than than the lumber itself . The screws will act like a clamp while the glue sets.
 
Don't use drywall screws, put out the money for deck screws. I like swinging my titanium framing hammer, but anymore I'm mostly reaching for a cordless. Framing lumber stands are pretty much all most people can handle doing themselves; Cabinet making can go wrong very easily. Its as easy as making a blank and putting a face frame on it, and golf is as easy as ripping a drive rolling it up on the green and putting for birdie. For most people cutting a 4x8 sheet into accurate, straight and square panels is asking a lot even if they are given the proper tools to work with and nearly unable for most to do with a chalk line and a circular saw.
 
Deck screws are perfect for building stands they resist corrosion, and drive easier plus they countersink them selves. But I agree with the screw and glue method. I am no engineer but I have a friend that is and he said that its really not the screw itself that holds the joint. But more of the screw pulling the two pieces of wood together that will hold the weight better.


Just about everyone I know used that framing plan.
 
Could you nail it up? Most certainly. Why screw it together? Convenience. Knowing how to hand nail well is like knowing how to jet a carberator and is quickly becoming a lost art. Drawing wood to where it's suppose to be is what hammers and nails do best. You will need different size fasteners than just the length you have no matter which meathod you use.
 
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Another vote for deck screws. A couple things about glue - one, it's not necessary, two if you screw things up while building it can be the difference between taking out a couple screws and throwing all your work in the trash.
 
Survey says... screws it shall be. Thanks guys!

Logic was saying nails hold a house together so what the hey, but I'm going to feel more comfortable with screws so will be grabbing some today.
 
Basic black stand with some decorative wood accents using same stain color I've been using on all of the living room wood trim. Dark mahogany. :)
 
I wouldn't glue it. If something happens and you need to take it apart, you'll be glad you didn't. Deck screws (or any weather resistant ones) will work fine.
 
Pretty close to a thousand pounds in water weight alone. You can get away with a lot. Me , i like the brick poop house method.
 
I built my sump stand with deck screws and pre-drilled holes. Pre-drilling will prevent the lumber from splitting or causing a weak point that will begin to split over time.
 
Started assembly last night, pre-drilling holes and using deck screws. Skipping glue.

About a year ago the boyfriend and I built a stand for his 40g breeder tank and used nails & glue but that stand has so much wood it doesn't flinch.

Prior to that I never had the need to build... the first tank I had used one of those flimsy looking mass produced stands. 72g bowfront was also on one. The 125g that I had was on a homemade stand that someone built using 4x4s and bolts. (heavy as hell)

I'm not concerned about the 40g stand (pictures around here somewhere) but yeah... something was nagging at me that the same wouldn't be optimal for a 4'x2'x2' tank.

Everything else about the set up I've pretty well got nailed down based on the "wish I did it this way" experiences over the past 13 years. lol ugh

Thanks all
 
If your worried about 2x4 construction; it will be strong enough. If I were to do one thing to improve the plan you linked it would omit the green pieces for 3/4 plywood gussets. The green boards tie things together, but don't lend a lot for lateral stability which makes things want to lean over like a rhombus. In reality if used a well screwed on plywood panel for the two sides and the back, then hid the screws with trim boards, you wouldn't even need to use gussets. Just make sure the frame is square and all will be good.
 
When i build a stand, i do so intending the wood to take all the weight and not rely on anything else. I use a table saw to cut out half the thickness of the studs on each end the width of the studs being used. This way the frame sits inside the leg studs like sitting in a chair and the Aquarium weight rests directly on the wood. Then i use outdoor wood screws to secure the backside of the legs to the frame. I do this for the cross braces too. This makes the stand able to hold a great amount of weight and very sturdy using the least amount of wood.
 
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