proof that design ( not 2x4's) are key to stand integrity.

[woodnaquanut]

Thanks for the link, Allmost. That was a beautiful stand. I skimmed the thread. Looks like he did a hybrid stand. Used some dimensional lumber and some ply.

Too bad he's out of the hobby.

Check out the pic of twin 120s on PP 29!

 

[sirreal63]

these are capable of holding 2000 lbs. That's actual test numbers.

This design will not safely hold up a 2000lb aquarium, it is the wrong application for the design. 2x4's are overkill, but that is not a bad thing, ever. Plywood only is capable of making a very strong stand but access is more limited compared to a stick built stand. Maybe I am just old and losing my mind, but how is it a bad thing to over build a stand?

 

[Drae]

I'm designing a new stand and material cost, weight, and inside room are playing a huge factor in my design. Yes I am a carpenter but I am a metal framer and welder. woodworking is not really my thing but I like to build and I LOVE aquariums so I naturally build my own stands. recently I've been working with an engineer buddy of mine who actually does fine woodwork as a hobby and we ran into these at the lowes and I saw the load capacity and called bull crap but he quickly threw some numbers out there about tensile strength and bridges and blah blah blah blah blah lol and I felt the need to share ( minus the boring calculations). that's all

 

[Drae]

This design will not safely hold up a 2000lb aquarium, it is the wrong application for the design. 2x4's are overkill, but that is not a bad thing, ever. Plywood only is capable of making a very strong stand but access is more limited compared to a stick built stand. Maybe I am just old and losing my mind, but how is it a bad thing to over build a stand?

for the record my 150 stand is a 2 x 4 frame. my breeder stand has none. and I never said itwould hold an aquarium, I said it would hold 2 k lbs. and it will.

 

[Drae]

No 2 x 4' s at all on my breeder stand. this things a tank though. fyi. I built this for someone else who backed out of a setup so I spray painted it ( because I suck at finishing) and decided to use it as a budget build. that's why the finish is garbage. Lol but no screws or metal brackets, 2 x 4 frame or top frame, or anything else obstructing the room inside the stand. every corner mitered glued and shot together. my intent was to just share info to the DIY crowd about another way to skin a cat. there are a thousand different ways. this is my new method. happy reefing y'all

 

[biodegraded]

I live in IL so the threat of quakes is "unlikely". here it is with 3/4 inch board on the fron the 1/2 ply on the sides. added a center brace as well.

Out of curiousity I ran a static beam analysis without the center braces (span of 66", load 1800 lb) for just the front and back 4x4s assuming a completely conforming uniform load. Maximum deflection is 0.2" and is 10% of modulus of rupture. Add in the great stiffness of the aquarium itself and the strip of plywood shear webbing and those numbers are orders of magnitude less.

Your stand is plenty gtg even without center braces; with them it's bomb proof.

 

[Kawi9_cf]

Thanks for sharing I thought it was intersting and I just built a lumber stand. I decided to use rocket engineers plan for my first stand because it was very straightforward and hard to mess up but In the future I think I will probably stick to plywood stands.

 

[reeferman1128]

Thank you. do you feel its necesarry to add some additionla plywood as mentioned for the side to side movement. I have the corners together with 8” corrosion resistant hex head lag screw.

 

[biodegraded]

Thank you. do you feel its necesarry to add some additionla plywood as mentioned for the side to side movement.

Absolutely. Woodnaquanut is spot-on in his comments.

 

[reeferman1128]

Absolutely. Woodnaquanut is spot-on in his comments.

Would 4 triangle pieces of ply on each of the back corners fastened to the verticle and horizontal posts be sufficient?

 

[biodegraded]

Would 4 triangle pieces of ply on each of the back corners fastened to the verticle and horizontal posts be sufficient?

Since you're not in quake territory, given a reasonable size, yes, I think so. Remember there are three axes to stabilize, though. The sides and top/bottom also want shear stabilization.

 

[Drae]

See! useful info.

 

[Kawi9_cf]

When are you going to be building the stand for your 100 gallon? are you gonna do a thread for it? I think if there were more threads where people went into greater detail about plywood stands more people would be open to building them.

 

[Drae]

When are you going to be building the stand for your 100 gallon? are you gonna do a thread for it? I think if there were more threads where people went into greater detail about plywood stands more people would be open to building them.

Yes I am actually doing a full thread on a build finally. I'm even buying a camera. my finances did a u-turn last year and a couple projects got put off but recent events have gotten me back in the game. Lol this thread will start within the next week or so. just waiting on ol uncle Sam to cough up my dough. Lol

 

[freeswimmingfis]

When I bought my Oceanic 156g (60x24x24), I also bought the Oceanic stand.
It is 3/4" plywood with 1x4 flat on top and bottom. It is rock solid.
Look at how "most" aquarium manufacturer stands are built.
Just saying.

 

[TimmyD16]

Actually those saw horses are just rated at 2,000 pounds... meaning that they more than likely can hold up to 6,000 pounds before breaking... But at the same time the OP could have had a little more tact...

There is no harm done in overbuilding something, especially a stand for our many ton containers containing hundreds if not thousands of dollars of life... If you feel comfortable only with building a stand with lead filled walls, than do that, and feel comfortable...

The facts are that most tank manufacturer's stands are built out of lesser material than plywood, most of them use OSB due to it being stupid inexpensive...

But in the end, there is never anything wrong with overbuilding something...

 

[Kawi9_cf]

Yes I am actually doing a full thread on a build finally. I'm even buying a camera. my finances did a u-turn last year and a couple projects got put off but recent events have gotten me back in the game. Lol this thread will start within the next week or so. just waiting on ol uncle Sam to cough up my dough. Lol

Im looking forward to it as well and I am waiting on uncle same as well lol. He needs to hurry up...

 

[blueramSeattle]

I am using more plywood sheets and less 2x4 as I become more confident in my builds so I agree. For the most part the studs are more surface to mount plywood and a handy surface for mounting hinges. I also use a lot of primer and paint in an effort to minimize water damage. I would not be so trusting of that saw horse after it became wet a few times.

 

[peppie]

You dont need plywood, or 2x4s, or nails, or screws.

This stand will hold 4x the weight that is on it, if not more!!!
Point being. Use the methods, materials,and or cost that you are capable and comfortable to produce a structure that will properly hold the Item it is intended to hold.

I have been here for a while and have seen very few, if any, detailed plywood stand builds. Your thread will be welcomed by many.

 

[CHSUB]

my tank is not going on a saw horse!!!! my stand is 1/8" thick tubular steel and it could hold about 10 tons and that's fine.