Quick Question about DIY stand

[imclownfish]

I just had a quick question about the DIY stand template on this forum. Do you need a plywood sheet on top of the stand? Or can the tank sit directly on the frame of the stand?

Thanks

 

[phillrodrigo]

I do ply wood. I used 3/4 birch. If the tank is 4ft or smaller you can get a handy panel from home depot which is a half sheet.

 

[schatzi]

It can sit directly on the frame. No top necessary.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

It really just depends on the tank itself (rimless, frameless, framed, etc.). In other words, if the tank sits directly on the bottom pane of glass, yes you need a plywood top.

Here's the best thread ever for DIY stand builds:

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

 

[acorral]

I have styrofoam and then tank... No plywood

 

[imclownfish]

It's the fluval ebi. So a frameless. Thanks.

 

[uncleof6]

I have styrofoam and then tank... No plywood

What good is the foam doing? Foam is only to be used with rimless glass tanks, with the bottom panel in contact with the stand top (e.g. the madatory plywood top) to prevent point loading that can destroy the bottom panel. The no foam rule comes from the tank manufacturers making rimmed glass tanks. Foam has no other purpose or function, and with rimmed tanks, can cause the bottom panel (full floated always) to fail...

Foam is actually useless for acrylic tanks as well. Acrylic tanks do not react to point loading on the bottom, the way glass tanks do...

 

[uncleof6]

It's the fluval ebi. So a frameless. Thanks.

You need two things under this tank: A full, well supported plywood top that does not deflect (much—e.g. a lumber frame under the plywood top with center front to back brace,) and a rigid foam underlay between the tank and the stand top...it is fairly straight forward cut and dried. Consult the tank manufacturer for specific requirements for their tanks. What the vertical support is made of is almost irrelevant, with a 3/4" plywood box being the simplest to build and also the most stable.

 

[LAX Reef]

Try to use a Sheet of plywood, about .25 thickness. If you want, also add middle colum to the top frame, so the weight is even out.