Stand bowing, need advice

[The Reef Addict]

Hey guys,

I've got a 75g (glass tank) stand I built about a year ago that has a 2×4 stud that is bowing down in the middle and wanted to know if this is a major issue. It is only on the front stud, I can slide a credit card in between the stand and the plastic trim of the tank. The rear and sides are 100% flat and I cant slide a card in anywhere. Stand is solid 2x4 construction, I would upload pictures but the website wont allow me to bc of file size. TIA

 

[slief]

That doesn't sound good. That eventually could lead to your tank failing. Id your tank a frameless or does it have the plastic frame along the bottom and top edge. Do you have any pictures of the stands construction?

 

[mcgyvr]

As its not a rimless tank its not a problem

 

[IowaReefer]

Did the tank stand framing in question get wet? Is your floor level? A 2x4 should not be bending under equal loading. You will most likely be OK short term, but try to see if there is something that could make the bowing worse.

 

[mcgyvr]

It is not uncommon at all for lumber to still contain excess moisture and shrink/twist,etc.. after construction of the stand.. Couple that with just plain gravity and voila..

 

[billdogg]

It is not uncommon at all for lumber to still contain excess moisture and shrink/twist,etc.. after construction of the stand.. Couple that with just plain gravity and voila..

^^^This^^^

Your average big box 2x4 framing lumber is almost always very high in moisture content. I don't use a lot of them anymore, but I still keep a stash with the other species of wood in my shop. It can easily take months for them to dry out to the point where they remain stable long term.

FWIW - moisture content should be 6-8% before working the wood to minimize movement.

 

[badbreath]

^^^This^^^



Your average big box 2x4 framing lumber is almost always very high in moisture content. I don't use a lot of them anymore, but I still keep a stash with the other species of wood in my shop. It can easily take months for them to dry out to the point where they remain stable long term.



FWIW - moisture content should be 6-8% before working the wood to minimize movement.

How do you check moisture content?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[IowaReefer]

It is not uncommon at all for lumber to still contain excess moisture and shrink/twist,etc.. after construction of the stand.. Couple that with just plain gravity and voila..

Ah, good point. Hadn't considered green wood.

 

[mcgyvr]

How do you check moisture content?

For the most part you don't..
Well.. unless you have an 8ft long oven..

They do make "Moisture meters" but they aren't all that accurate/useful really..
Ok for generalizations..
https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-Wood-Digital-Moisture-Meter/dp/B0056TLHIE

 

[billdogg]

How do you check moisture content?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

For the most part you don't..
Well.. unless you have an 8ft long oven..

They do make "Moisture meters" but they aren't all that accurate/useful really..
Ok for generalizations..
https://www.amazon.com/Stihl-Wood-Digital-Moisture-Meter/dp/B0056TLHIE

^^^What mcgyvr said^^^

You do, however, get what you pay for in a moisture meter. Mine was closer to $150 and seems to give me a pretty good idea of where the wood is at.

It also helps a lot to just let the wood sit in a area similar to where it will be used for a week or 2 or 3 to acclimate it. Around here, outside (but covered) air dried hardwood lumber tends to be around 12-15%. Kiln dried is usually about 9-10%. After a few weeks in the basement where my shop is it sits at a very consistent 7% +/- 1%. Big Box 2x's sit in the basement for weeks to months properly sticked before I'll even bother checking. Sure, it means that a portion of my basement resembles a lumberyard. Gives me motivation to get going on the next project!

 

[neoh74]

Just an FYI if you use Tapatalk mobile app it will resize the pics for you. I find it much easier than navigating the desktop browser version.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Reef Addict]

Everyone, thank you for the replies. Im sorry I havent been checking in enough, been renovating my kitchen.

Its a standard aqueon 75g tank, so it does have the black plastic trim along top and bottom edges. All are in perfect shape.

Great points on the lumber. Ive purchased new boards, and after sitting around for a couple days they went from nice and straight - to bowed and twisted.

The tank itself is PERFECTLY level, I had to shim out the bottom of the tank to get the stand/tank that way, but I do not believe thats why the 2x4 bowed down.. I just moved the tank in my new house a couple weeks ago. Old house = unlevel surfaces all throught.

All in all, do you guys think I need to be concerned? As I said, back and sides of tank sit nice and flat on the stand.

I will look into the app and try and get pics.
Thanks!!!

 

[The Reef Addict]

Here are PICS!!!

 

[mcgyvr]

Not an issue

 

[The Reef Addict]

Not an issue

I sure a hell hope so, dont wanna break that sucker down again.. Until I get my 240 come next tax season :spin3: