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

[sfsuphysics]

People consider the factory stands as scary, but they are more than adequate and I do not recall ever seeing a story of one collapsing.

Depends upon which factory stands you use, my first "factory stand" I got with a used tank was made out of laminated particle board... however there was always one side that was exposed, over a couple years the top had a very noticeable bow to it, the locations where there were screws holding the particleboard to the base had bulged out (rusty screw expansion), and when all was said a done, a good kick with my foot basically tore the stand down (after the tank was removed). So it all really comes down to what is the "factory" making the stands out of too

 

[TropTrea]

I will say that I have seen nightmare stands and some fantastic stands made from simple 2 X 4's as well as plyrrod and even particle board.

To me there two key elements to a good stand structuraly.

1. There is solid line of material from the point suporting the weight of the tank to the floor. Plywood from the floor to the tank takes care of thuis issue. But what I have seen people do is simply nail a board to the side of another resulting in the force being all concentrated on the nails.

2. Second thing is to have some means of side bracing to prevent any side movement even under pressure. Even a piece of 1/8" thick particle board on the sides and back will provide this. I have seen stands built strong enough to hole up a mack truck but when someone pushed into the side of them they folded like an accordian.

Then there is the case of cosmetics. Locally 3/4" oak plywood is roughly 5 times the cost of 1/4" oak. I personly love the look of Oak compared to pine. Someone else might want birch, maple, or even black walnut. But if your trying to make it look good and keep the cost down then lumber construction with 1/4" pluywood on the sides is a great combination.

 

[TropTrea]

Here is my 120 gallon stand when it was first completed. The sides are 3/4" plywood. The front and back bracing are 2 X 4's with verticle 2' X 4's holding them up. The front is all oak lumber. I built the stand to match other furnature in the house including matching the stain colors.

Since the picture was taken I had built a full Oak hood that originaly housed T-5 lights. Today I have a combination of T-5's and LED lighting in the hood. Some day I'll go to all DIY LED's and rebuild the hood on an alumniym frame.

 

[Wills612]

this is true for a lot of people, but did you know if you knew what cuts you wanted to make, you can go to a lumber yard or even HD and Lowes and have them cut your would for you.
I plan to build my next stand with plywood to save space inside of the stand and also make it lighter. so i have decided to plan out my dimensions and have the lumber yard i purchase my wood from make my cuts for me.

this way i get true cuts, since i don't own a large table saw.

HD store policy is a tolerance of +/- 3/8, might want to think twice about getting your ply cut there. But, a hardwood store would be able to do exact cuts.

 

[James77]

HD store policy is a tolerance of +/- 3/8, might want to think twice about getting your ply cut there. But, a hardwood store would be able to do exact cuts.

Not if you watch the SOB measure it . Its a panel saw, so the only place for a problem is the employee. Throw him a couple bucks or at the least explain the importance and they'll be ok with it.

 

[James77]

Depends upon which factory stands you use, my first "factory stand" I got with a used tank was made out of laminated particle board... however there was always one side that was exposed, over a couple years the top had a very noticeable bow to it, the locations where there were screws holding the particleboard to the base had bulged out (rusty screw expansion), and when all was said a done, a good kick with my foot basically tore the stand down (after the tank was removed). So it all really comes down to what is the "factory" making the stands out of too

That's true....I was picturing the typical AGA pine stand. Those are only 1 bys notched to sit on the supports....

My cousin had one of those laminated stands that was shiny black....only with a 29g IIRC. But yeah I guess there are some scary stands out there. But still have yet to see a thread of one collapsing.

 

[johnike]

Pfft, you people have no clue how to build a stand.

Here's my attempt at stand building quackery.

 

[James77]

Are those buckets kiln dried?

 

[johnike]

No, the dust holds them together.

 

[Laborator]

Here is mine.

 

[maypo59]

Pfft, you people have no clue how to build a stand.

It's well known that Oceanic is the highest quality available..

:lmao:

 

[Drae]

Here is mine.

thats pretty cool. :thumbsup:

 

[jdargonaut]

I think most people would agree that either method works (lumber/plywood or plywood). People pick a direction for various reasons and there's nothing wrong with that. I think you pick a direction and build it in a way that does not have obvious structural weak links, i.e. 10,000lb compressive strength but very little shear strength. Or lots of shear strength but openings so big that you can get vertical deflection. Or verticle pieces that support immense weight with horizontals that have large spans and rely on shear strength of whichever type of screw you use (considering no glue). It's the disparities that people tend to point out and offer advice on.

Both methods have been proven to work fine. Personally, I have no problem with plywood stands. I happened to use lumber with 3/8" plywood skin left from one of my framing jobs, I haven't decided on the finishes yet. Under my stand is completely empty other than a couple down pipes so I don't care about space. So to each his own.:thumbsup:

It gets even more fun in places like here in California when you see your entire 2,000lb tank along with the rest of your house start rolling like an ocean wave in an earthquake and all the forces are multiplied! Since most of us aren't structural engineers why not entertain suggestions? Without running calcs I think everthings an educated guess on some level anyways.

 

[jdargonaut]

I think its well known fact that milk crates provide more sump space than 5 gallon buckets.:beer:

 

[SGT_York]

Simply Put dimensional lumber is far easier for the average DIY'er. Plywood stands take a bit of experience as they have a bit more risk with the joints. They offer far better advantages in regards to space efficiencies.

Lets just not have anybody use particle board as a structure piece for the stand.

 

[mellokevt]

Hi Drae,
I am new to RC and wondered if you have created a build thread showing your technigue for building a stand like this. I would be one to over build with 2x4's but that is mostly because I've seen quite a few threads on how to build a stand using them. I would love to see how you built yours.

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

 

[Drae]

Hi Drae,
I am new to RC and wondered if you have created a build thread showing your technigue for building a stand like this. I would be one to over build with 2x4's but that is mostly because I've seen quite a few threads on how to build a stand using them. I would love to see how you built yours.

I'm building another one for a bigger tank next week. I'll fully document it.

 

[dixiedog]

Bump, awaiting said documentation. I'm planning an all-plywood stand to house a 40-0ver-40 setup. Drae, if you wish to involve more pics of of your lovely wife in the build thread, I for one will have no objections.

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

To the OP -- I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Why do you care what other people use to build their stands, or how they build them? Not everyone is a master carpenter with ultimate structural knowledge like yourself.

Also, you're preaching like this idea of building an aquarium stand out of plywood is some kind of new idea. It's not. Of course it can be done -- how many 2x4 stands do you see in aquarium stores?

As for DIY'ers, those of us who know how to properly join plywood, and are comfortable in doing so, have been building all-plywood stands for years & years. I certainly have been, but I don't degrade those people who can't/don't.

And to avoid running my mouth without backing anything up, like some people have done in this thread, below are just a few that I have built over the years:

 

[nemosworld]

To the OP -- I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Why do you care what other people use to build their stands, or how they build them? Not everyone is a master carpenter with ultimate structural knowledge like yourself.

Also, you're preaching like this idea of building an aquarium stand out of plywood is some kind of new idea. It's not. Of course it can be done -- how many 2x4 stands do you see in aquarium stores?

As for DIY'ers, those of us who know how to properly join plywood, and are comfortable in doing so, have been building all-plywood stands for years & years. I certainly have been, but I don't degrade those people who can't/don't.

And to avoid running my mouth without backing anything up, like some people have done in this thread, below are just a few that I have built over the years:

ok, that is nice work, can i drive to GA and have you guide me on a stand build? LOL! going to deff try and mimic that unstained stand and canopy in pics 2,3 or 5. might pm you to pick your brain, still buying my tools.
i have a new compound miter, plunge router and getting a biscuit joiner next.
also have a table saw, need to buy a blade. i will need info on router bits etc.
not now though.