type of wood for stand.

[Mel-E-Mel]

Ok, so i am taking a stab at building my own stand for my 150. Dims will be 60'' long 24'' wide and 36'' tall. I already started construction on it last night and got the bottom and top base and uprights done, just need to attach, hopefuly i can do that tonight.

The type of wood i am using for the skeleton is pine 2x4's and plan on skinning it with maple. ive noticed alot of people use maple or oak. Will pine be strong enough to handle the weight given its constructed properly or should i forget that idea and just go out and buy maple 2x4's? Please let me your opinions. I will post pics of what i have done when i get home from work later this evening.

Any advice please! Posted this in the DIY forum too.

Fedexguy, thank you for the offer but thought i would try it out myself.

 

[Elite]

check on BAR DIY forum man. I'm building one myself too ..

 

[sid700]

Pine 2x4's are more than adequate.

If it makes you feel any better, I bet the houses in your area are constructed with pine.

 

[tsproul]

It's the joinery that determines how strong your cabinet is. The exact type of wood matters little compared to how well the joints are engineered and constructed.

2x4's on edge can support a lot of weight. As long as the weight doesn't move.

I don't know your furniture building skills so if they're minimal, you might consider getting some help.

Tim

 

[salty3]

I have built 4 stands and have used pine for all of them and have had no problems. The biggest stand I built was for a 125 and I bet you it is alot sturdier than and one oyud buy from a store. I would skin it in maple or oak it looks alot better than pine I did my 125 in a pine skin and wasnt that crazy about it.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

Thanks for the info everybody. feel alot better about it. ill be skinning it with maple or oak hopefully by the weekend. ill post pics of what ive done so far tonight.

Phuong, nice work on your stand so far!

 

[hawaiianwargod]

Mel,

I thought Fed ex guy going to build it for you? You probably just want to mess with your tools huh?...watch out now!!!...Mr. Bob Villa, here comes Mel, " the thrilla from Manila". lol !!!

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802689#post9802689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hawaiianwargod
Mel,

I thought Fed ex guy going to build it for you? You probably just want to mess with your tools huh?...watch out now!!!...Mr. Bob Villa, here comes Mel, " the thrilla from Manila". lol !!!

Yeah, thats was the plan but since im off from my other job for a few days thought id give it a shot. Fed ex guy's offer was real considerate but i also want to learn in case i want another again later on down the road. so far its come out better than i expected! as far as messing with my tools.....its more like an excuse to buy more! :lol:

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

J btw, hows your tank? started downsizing yet?

 

[hawaiianwargod]

Mel,

YGPM regarding a steel stand. Lmk.

 

[hawaiianwargod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802900#post9802900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rommelgin
J btw, hows your tank? started downsizing yet?

I can't downsize yet...needs to get rid of this 300 before I could get the smaller tank. .

So far, tank looks great....skimmer is doing its job.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802912#post9802912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hawaiianwargod
Mel,

YGPM regarding a steel stand. Lmk.

Thanks J! pm'd About the stand. if my woodwork is not to par then i will let you know asap.

 

[Elite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9802962#post9802962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hawaiianwargod
I can't downsize yet...needs to get rid of this 300 before I could get the smaller tank. .

I trade you for my 100G tank :rollface: ..

Why downsize J?

 

[hawaiianwargod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9803586#post9803586 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elite
I trade you for my 100G tank :rollface: ..

Why downsize J?

Hey Phong,

I've been thinking of downsizing since last year because I want to have an easier and less maintenance tank. My tank is 30" alone and the stand's height is about 30-35", not to mention the canopy is 20" high...If I drop a frag or try to aquascape, it is very difficult to do since I'm a short guy... . Plus, I really want to have a glass tank.
The only negative I could think of downsizing is that I have to let go of most of my big fish .

Oh lastly, by having a smaller tank, I could cut my monthly cost in half .... and use the other half for my other hobby. lol!

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

ok, so heres what i got done so far.

another brace will be added here where the red is

The middle brace on the top frame will be removed for the plumbing of my over flow

here in red you can see where i will be adding bracing for extra support for the top frame and to prevent wobble. stand is sturdy as is but a little extra wouldnt hurt.

next, take top frame apart again and glue it back together. i
have to start working nights again tommorow so wont get to do anything till the weekend. hopefully i can get it skinned by sunday. Let me know what you guys and gals think. any improvements i can make? opinions welcome.

 

[Elite]

Damn that thing look much better than mine man.. You shoulda come and help me out ..

I would put at least one more support leg in the middle of the front.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

Thanks Phong! if i had more free time i really wouldnt mind lending you a hand. yours looked rock solid too though!

i was thinking of putting another support leg in the middle front but i want a open space for easy access to the sump area. i might add one that i can remove when i need to do maintanance.

 

[Elite]

There is more problem with your stand. The support legs in the back is not right under the crossbar. You will need to do the same like the front corners. That 2x4 is not strong enough to support your tank without more support legs man. Read my whole thread. Bonnie, Eileen, Norman and everyone else help me out a lot ..

Oh my stand frame is not done yet. I just ran out of wood ..

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

Phong, i forgot to mention i will be doing the same to the back legs as i did with the front. i am doin that on front, and sides of each leg support. couldnt cut anymore wood, got too dark. Also forgot to mention that i will use plywood ontop of the top frame to distribute weight a little more evenly. ill also be adding L brackets to each corner of legs for added sturdiness. might be a little overkill but i would rather over do it than see 150 gallons of water all over the carpet! :lol:

 

[Elite]

Post more pics when you done.