Raising stand height for a 375 - Advice needed

[kmbyrnes]

It's been our fate to get bitten by saltwater. 2 years ago this week we got our 12G nano.
Today we purchased a 375 gallon acrylic from CL - 10' L x 24"h x 30" deep. This has been our plan for some time, but the now it is becoming reality.
We will be removing the dividing half wall between the kitchen and the family room and using the tank as the room divider.
The kitchen side will have a bar counter and stools. However the stand is too short for our design, and I need to raise the whole setup by 6 inches.
My stepson is suggesting a 4x6 box frame. My concern is the stand itself has no bottom frame, just 12 columns, so i am looking at about 300 PSI loads on each bearing point.
1. Will 4x6 wood support that kind of weight without compression?
2. Any better ideas?

On a related note, the current setup does not have a styrofoam cushion under the tank.
Is one required and if so, how thick does it need to be?

 

[woodnaquanut]

First, pics are always a good thing!

Might be easier to just make a new stand that fits your needs perfectly. Check out rocketengineer's plans for a cheap 2x stand. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

I always put foam under an acrylic tank. 1/2 inch should be enough.

 

[kmbyrnes]

So pics I got :dance:
The stand is custom made for the tank and I would prefer to just raise it on a platform if possible.
The tank will be replacing the knee wall and have a peninsula view.
We want the stand to be bar height, hence the need to raise it.
I have looked at those plans in the past and they certainly are a possibility, but if a box made of 4x6 would be sturdy enough, it will certainly save me time, since my wood skills leave a lot to be desired.
Thanks for the styrofoam advice.

Tank, stand and wife at seller's location:

What was at 7:00 AM this morning:

Where the tank will go next weekend :

 

[woodnaquanut]

Yes you could just make a frame to sit the stand on. No need for 4". A 2x6 would work fine.

I'd avoid PT wood. If you spill enough to make PT needed, wife shown in pic one will have you living in the garage anyway!

Look for the straightest boards, kiln dried. Best to shop at a real lumber yard not HD/Lowes if you can.

Nice upgrade from a 12G, BTW.:thumbsup:

 

[kmbyrnes]

Thanks for the additional info..
There have been some intermediate steps before the 375 - 100 gallon reef and 125 FOWLR - but the big swim tank has been in the planning since day ... 2. :lolspin:

 

[anbosu]

You could probably make a box to put it on if you just want to raise it, but I would consider doing the DIY rocketengineer stand and have someone come over and finish it for you. Putting a box underneath that stand is going to be a challenge, aesthetically.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I agree, but it will all get an exterior covering to match the rest of the room.

 

[nuxx]

Scrap the stand and get a local welder to make you a metal one.

It won't cost much and will be much stronger than anything else you can try to raise it.

Overbuilt our 120x29x41" stand for the display and it cost ~ $1000.
The stand for the frag tank 60x36x32" was around $500-600.