Will 4x4 Beam span 4' ?

[festus]

I want to span 4' across my stand, post to post, and want to know what size beam to use. I've built stands with 2x4's before never had problem but never spanned more than 3'.

Tank will rest on the standard plywood covered ladder frame.

If I go to 4' span I think thats to far for a 2x4 but I don't want to go to use a 2x6 because thats to much height so can I just use a 4x4 instead ?

Thanks.

 

[xtrstangx]

A 2x6 on end would be OK, otherwise the 4x4 will be fine if you can't afford the x6.

 

[newtophish]

I did not build my stand but it is with all 2x4s and it is 72x18.

 

[MIKEMARTIN]

I jus built a 6' stand and I used 2x6's. Then I nailed 2x 2x4's together for the legs. Also a ladder frame all out of 2x6's. 4x4's would definitly do the job. I wanted to use 4x4's, but they were to exspensive.

 

[marm64]

A 4x4 is way overkill and the 4x4 are usually not all that good of lumber. I have a 90 gallon and my stand all I used was 2 2x4 with a pice of plywood sandwiched inbetween the 2x4's. I do not have a center brace in my stand and do not have any problem. If I was to do it over again I think that I would sandwich 3 3/4 pieces of plywood for the headers for the stand.

 

[SCR]

I've seen three different 6' tank, only supported by the ends. So a 2x4 for a 90 will work just fine.