tank stand question

[JMorris271]

Hello ya'll
Question about making a stand for a 90 gal SW tank.
The top shelf that the tank sits on. Is it better to use only the joists running from front to back or placing plyboard over those joist for the tank to sit on?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Curtis1]

I have done it both ways. Doesn't really matter, as long as the surface/supporting area is level, with no high spots. The tank's weight, is distributed mainly around the edges. I thought that it was cool to be able to look up under the tank's DSB to see the life there too. I would still put at least two cross members equidistant in the middle, top or not. Helps to keep the front and back from spreading apart. Most people tend to way over-build them. Just take a look at the factory made models next time you are at the LFS. I bet that you won't be able to find a single 2x4 or 2x6. My last stand for a 75gal was made from 3/4" marine grade plywood. Good carpenter skills are key, after-all, you are going to be the one crawling around down under there after it's full and set-up. HTTH

 

[JMorris271]

Did you use marine grade wood for the top when you did it that way?D

 

[woodnaquanut]

The type of tank matters. Glass tanks with rims are only supported by the rim. Rimless glass and acrylic are supported all along the bottom. So with a rimmed tank you can do either but most rimless and acrylic need a complete flat support.

 

[davocean]

The type of tank matters. Glass tanks with rims are only supported by the rim. Rimless glass and acrylic are supported all along the bottom. So with a rimmed tank you can do either but most rimless and acrylic need a complete flat support.

What he said

 

[SGT_York]

One benefit of plywood is to stop light from creeping through the tank bottom and sides at night. Of course paint would also work, but I didn't think about that until after I added two high speed powerheads that blew the sand into a partial DSB and barebottom tank.