stand build problem/question

[turbo2oh]

I've been very slowly building a stand for my 60g 24x24 reef savvy rimless cube.

I've glued/screwed together everything you see in the pics already. The issue is I went to put the top 2x4 square on and the supports aren't perfectly straight. So I'm going to have to use spreaders to push them to 24''.

Question 1: Is this a terrible idea or ok to do?

Question 2: I've also realized that my sump will have to go in through the top and once the tanks on the top it won't be going anywhere. Is that going to cause my headaches down the road? I could cut the 2x4s on the front to allow it to move in and out.

Photo1: stand with 1 spreader in
Photo2: width across front top of stand with spreader in place
Photo3: width across front top of stand without spreader in place
Photo4: stand without spreader in

Thanks!
Phil

 

[rwb500]

good questions!

you are definitely OK using the spreader. its only half an inch and I assume the spreader is not taking much force to get everything into place? as long as everything is square when you are done, and it's all held together properly, you will be fine. I would have used something more than masonite (is that what it is?) inside each leg as a brace, but i understand you may have sump size concerns.

and if it were me I would absolutely make it so the sump is removable. how much would you need to cut the 2x4's? I'm guessing it would be fine but if you could describe how much you need to cut we could make sure.

 

[turbo2oh]

So the 1/2'' was the front and you're correct, its barely enough pressure to even keep the spreader from falling down. However by the time I put in the other spreaders and push it all square the last one is a full 1''.

Yes, I originally planned to use a 2x4 inside each leg but then the sump wouldnt fit.

As you can see in the photos its a very tight fit. I'd have to cut the front 2x4s to be flush with the side 2x4s, essentially making them a 1x4.

More photos should help!

 

[rwb500]

1/2" or 1", I still wouldn't worry about it. wow that is a tight squeeze! good job.

what is the height of the sump compared to the height of the 2x4 legs? What I would do is cut out notches from the two front legs, but not starting at the very bottom. That way each leg still has the full base in contact with the bottom square of 2x4's. You would have to lift the sump up a little further to get it out, but that's OK.

have you glued and screwed the 2x4 legs together? If you're cutting out a chunk of one, I would make sure they are stuck together really well so that the uncut one will share the load properly. But this is just to be extra safe.


edit - and just so we're clear - you said "essentially making them a 1x4" but i believe you meant "2x2." is that correct?

 

[turbo2oh]

Yep, my fault I meant 2x2. The sump height is 13''. The total height of the stand (with the top) will be 34''. Though I'll probably put a piece of plywood on the top and bottom as well so maybe a little over 34''.

Edit: yes I've glued and screwed the legs together.

 

[rwb500]

so the height of the 2x4 legs must be well over 13" then. what I would do is cut a notch for the sump to come in and out in the center of the legs (centered top to bottom). That way the load distribution to and from the legs is not affected.