Tank stand strength evaluation and general critique

[Harry Muscle]

I'm putting together plans for a tank stand I'm hoping to get built for my upcoming 90g tank. I went for a conservative design structurally to keep the cost and weight down (most DIY stands are grossly over built).

I've attached a few pictures of my design so far. The first picture is the overall stand. The second picture shows the inside of the stand with the front removed. The larger pieces of wood are 1x6, the slightly smaller pieces are 1x4, and the skinny pieces are 1x2. The last picture is the inside again but from the back with the back removed.

There would be a total of 83.625 sq. in. of wood supporting the 900lb weight which works out to 10.76psi. Structurally that sounds good to me but I always welcome second opinions.

I'm also looking for any suggestions on how to improve the design to either make it easier and/or cheaper to build.

Any other feedback is also welcome.

Thanks,
Harry

 

[RocketEngineer]

The inner pieces serve no structural purpose. The top and bottom horizontal pieces can be 1X4 instead of 1X6. Building the entire thing out of continuous sheets of plywood instead of individual boards would be significantly stronger and more stable.

 

[Harry Muscle]

The inner pieces serve no structural purpose. The top and bottom horizontal pieces can be 1X4 instead of 1X6. Building the entire thing out of continuous sheets of plywood instead of individual boards would be significantly stronger and more stable.

Would you be able to elaborate why the inner pieces serve no structural purpose? Is it because of their location?

Thanks,
Harry

 

[RocketEngineer]

The load is going to be carried by the stiffer 1X6 instead of the flimsy 1X2.

 

[uncleof6]

You are right, most stands are grossly overbuilt. That said:

The only members that give structural support, are the members directly below the rim of the tank, all the way to the floor. Anything else is superfluous. If the stand fits the footprint of the tank, the inner frame serves no purpose. Solid sheets of plywood would be stronger and more stable. If the inner framework is what supports the tank, you are actually building two stands instead of one, following the lumber/skin type stand concept, and again, it will not be as strong as solid sheets of plywood w/cutouts for doors, even doubled up as you show.

Building stands of this type 101:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1213499

 

[rwb500]

this is a weird design, you should probably just find another design that many people have used and do that. also usually when people say they are going to build something "conservatively" they mean they are going to grossly overbuild it, not attempt to flirt with the limits of the material. with 2x4's so cheap, and most people building decorative skins/doors anyway, the standard RocketEngineer (yeah that guy) frame is a good option.

 

[Harry Muscle]

I've redesigned the stand a little after some feedback.

The overall dimensions of the stand (excluding the trim) would be 48.75" wide, 18.75" deep, and 30" high. The top and bottom would consist of 3/4" plywood. The back, left, and right sides would be made of 1/2" plywood reinforced with 1x4 wood strips as shown. And the front would consist of 1x4 pieces laminated with 1x4, 1x3, and 1x2 pieces as shown.

I've added basic trim and doors to the pictures, however, I would be looking for something more elegant looking, I'm just not sure of the style yet and am open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Harry