Stand for a 500 gallon tank

[46bfinGA]

I need some advice on a wood stand for my 500 gallon tank.My tank is 96"x48"x25" im planning on making the stand have a 1' overhang on three sides for access to the tank,since the tank is in wall and the stand will be 48" tall, this overhang will give me a place to stand on to reach the front.Making the stand 10' long x 6'wide x 4' tall.Im hoping to use a couple 2x8's 0r 2x10's as beams tied into 4x6 or 6x6 posts so i will have an open area for sumps under the tank.Will a those work or will i need a support in the middle of the stand.
Heres some pics of where the stand is to be built.

Heres a drawing i made to show you what i would like to have as a stand so it is open underneath.Im hoping that this will be strong enough to hold this tank.Im planning on doubling up the 2x10 beams on the front and back.And using 6x6 in all four corners,even though two sides of this stand will be attached to the walls.Could i get away with less?

 

[cmulawka]

I have a 540 wood stand there is little room under neath but i wouldnt trust anything else 8lbs x 540 plus tank weight.

 

[46bfinGA]

I was hoping someone with a structural engineering background ,or someone who has a stand similar to this would chime in.Im sure i could over do it to the extreme and be perfectly safe,but i would much rather have an open area underneath in the fish room if possible.Ill buy some more lvl beams if i have to.They are relatively cheap.Is there any good sites that i can go to,to find out what is required for this much weight?

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9323906#post9323906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cmulawka
I have a 540 wood stand there is little room under neath but i wouldnt trust anything else 8lbs x 540 plus tank weight.

Thanks,Ive seen your stand in your thread and i would really like to stay away from having the supports in the center.Atleast on the backside where i will need access.

 

[uztaryn]

first off is it glass or acrylic. That will make a huge difference. Secondly I had a professional stand builder build my stand for my 500g and I have basically a floor joyce setup going the short way across the bottom.

 

[blfuller123]

Its about time you got that thing started. Looking good!

 

[46bfinGA]

Hey Brett thanks. Im getting close,should have some water flowing in a few months i hope.It took a bit of construction to get to this point.

Heres my walls how they looked when i moved in.....

And now.....

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9327151#post9327151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uztaryn
first off is it glass or acrylic. That will make a huge difference. Secondly I had a professional stand builder build my stand for my 500g and I have basically a floor joyce setup going the short way across the bottom.

The tank is acrylic.Have any pics of your stand?

 

[46bfinGA]

TTT

 

[KenT]

I built one for my 535. I used all 4X4s, and skinned the outside with plywood. I also used plywood across the top. It was sold as a rock.

 

[46bfinGA]

I have a sheet of 1" plywood im using on top.I dont want to skin the stand at all because i want access on all three sides in my fishroom.Im guessing that if i buy a couple more lvl beams like i used for my openings that it should be sufficient for what im trying to do.

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9327151#post9327151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uztaryn
first off is it glass or acrylic. That will make a huge difference. Secondly I had a professional stand builder build my stand for my 500g and I have basically a floor joyce setup going the short way across the bottom.

Id like to see a pic of your stand.Have any???

 

[blfuller123]

thought about using steel instead of LVL? you dont have to worry about warping

 

[uztaryn]

Pics of my stand

ok they may be big and out of focus but here you go.

Hope this helps some

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9352274#post9352274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blfuller123
thought about using steel instead of LVL? you dont have to worry about warping

im not sure a lvl beam would warp would it? im going to seal them with a good exterior primer and paint.Steel would rust would it not? I dont want to pay to have the steel powdercoated or anything,i just figured that wood would be cheaper.If im wrong please let me know,then i will look into it.

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9353829#post9353829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uztaryn
Pics of my stand

ok they may be big and out of focus but here you go.


Hope this helps some

Thanks,that helps,if your stand can hold 500 gallons then i know what i am going to do should hold a damn freightliner.Are those lvl beams 1 3/4" thick? Are they 12" or 16" centers along the span?

 

[uztaryn]

they are 12" on center and they are 2x 1inch pieces of plywood laminated together.

That's what I meant by it doesn't take as much as you would think. That stand was built by a professional stand builder who also builds large acrylic tanks.

 

[Bebo77]

steel... stronger and gives you more room...

 

[blfuller123]

steel wont rust if you paint it, you could even go as far as having it powder coated and then you wouldnt chip it either.

 

[46bfinGA]

Ill look into the steel beam,and see what the price difference will be..After seeing Uztaryn's stand i may just do what i was originally planning,and just add a single support in the center of the 2x10's.