Question on tank stand
- Thread starter M3P
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Mr D smack
Active member
Of course I'm not an engineer but I'd say its okay comparing to a factory stand
Im not an engineer either, but this diy is an old staple:
http://neptunesneighborhood.com/stand.html
http://neptunesneighborhood.com/stand.html
Mr D smack
Active member
Did you build the stand or buy it? What are the dimension of the box holding up the tank? Do the 2x4s look like standard pine or more tight grained like Douglas Fir? (Deflection calculation will be different based on wood species) Yes, I am an engineer. 
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Schplitter
New member
Did you build the stand or buy it? What are the dimension of the box holding up the tank? Do the 2x4s look like standard pine or more tight grained like Douglas Fir? (Deflection calculation will be different based on wood species) Yes, I am an engineer.
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What he said
extra beam in each extending full height in each corner?
factory stands probably aren't ok either :facepalm:
Did you build the stand or buy it? What are the dimension of the box holding up the tank? Do the 2x4s look like standard pine or more tight grained like Douglas Fir? (Deflection calculation will be different based on wood species) Yes, I am an engineer.
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The stand was built by the guys that build the rest of the fish stores cabinets. I will need to measure the top box, but the tank is 4'x3'. I am not sure, but my guess is standard pine.
Thanks!
mpgrant77
New member
I play an engineer at work. Personally that stand scares me. Common rule of thumb is 10lbs per gallon loaded on an aquarium. This accounts for the aquarium, rock, sand, water and hood. So you are figuring around 2000lbs. Which on your tank works out to be almost 170lbs per square foot loading. Just as reference that is around 3 times what most joist supported floors in a residential home are rated for. So think about the joist system holding up the floor and think about what the top of your stand looks like. Second 2x4s are not meant to care that kind of side load. So some recommendations, take them only as a recommendation. The best stand for that tank to be that open underneath is a steel frame but wood can do just fine if you build it right. Second not as critical as an acrylic tank, but a glass tank should be supported all the way around on a level surface. especially at the corners. A 2x4 frame the way it is built in the photos has a possibility of stressing your tank corners and blowing out a seam or total glass failure. At a minimum I would recommend doubling up your 2x4's around the top and legs and adding a 3/4" plywood top. The plywood top will help to stiffen the 2x4s keeping them from bowing to much. It will distribute the load around the stand better and help to transfer the load to the legs. Third it will create a flat smooth surface to keep from stressing the aquarium. Don't use a low grade of plywood. Find something like a BC grade plywood usually you will find a birch or maple BC 3/4" plywood at home depot or lowes. There are a couple better ways to build a wood stand with greater strength IMO that I could recommend if you like. Sorry man don't mean to be a bummer, I just personally believe the stand is not something to cut corners on, remember it supports your entire investment. I don't think the stand would collapse under the weight, I am more worried about the stand flexing and bowing and putting stresses on your aquarium glass that may result in a tank failure.
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