Wood base - heavy load 17000 lbs

karimwassef

karimwassef

Active member
The water volume is 2000 gallons. There will also be the weight of wood, glass, concrete, sand, and rocks. Plus the occasional 200lb human who might need to walk inside.

It's 12' x 8' peninsula.

The top of the base is also the bottom of the tank and made of a stack of 4 plywood layers 3/4" each = 3" thick plywood. This will be encased in epoxy.

The base is a matrix of 2x4s inside a 3/4" plywood skin. The skin also doubles as backup my on one side and a pressure lip against the glass bottoms.

Looking for feedback
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/0_zpsoq0hdqhx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/0_zpsoq0hdqhx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0_zpsoq0hdqhx.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/1_zpsdljszdex.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/1_zpsdljszdex.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1_zpsdljszdex.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/2_zpsxkvctint.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/2_zpsxkvctint.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2_zpsxkvctint.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/3_zpshv8n8xi7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/3_zpshv8n8xi7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3_zpshv8n8xi7.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/4_zpsczzcyccw.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/4_zpsczzcyccw.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4_zpsczzcyccw.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/5_zpsba8i7iff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/5_zpsba8i7iff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5_zpsba8i7iff.jpg"></a>
 
IMO...
Overkill on the front/back ends and under built in the middle..
From what I see the whole center of the tank is only supported by 4 2x's on end..
Looks like it could just fold in half..

But you are on your own here with that "monstrocity"..

I would be using more typical/proven subfloor/joist type framing if I was to do it..

All those horizontal 2xs are just held by screws in sheer too..
I don't like it personally..
Looks more like a "throw a crap ton of 2x's at it and hope I put enough" than a well thought out/Engineered support..

IMO of course..
 
Your opinion counts, my friend.

It may look over-built in the ends but I was solving for the pressure distribution on the slab below. I'm not concerned with it holding up the tank. I needed to get below 700lb/ft2 (4psi)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2644382&page=6

The middle is more open for accessibility. It's too deep to reach into so I have to physically fit under it.

The studs look sparse in the middle but the sides are 3/4" plywood skin. I considered adding plywood in other locations for cross-bracing.
 
Looks like it could just fold in half..
The top is 3" of plywood sheets (4 x 3/4") glued and screwed. I think that the water weight in the center will be offset by the water weight on the ends?

But you are on your own here with that "monstrocity"..
Thanks. Don't call my baby a monster... she's just misunderstood.

I would be using more typical/proven subfloor/joist type framing if I was to do it..
So more frequent beams? Use a 2x10 for the joists? Details...

All those horizontal 2xs are just held by screws in sheer too..
for it to shear, the plywood skin would have to rupture in tension. I didn't consider dynamic loading but outside of an earthquake ...?

Looks more like a "throw a crap ton of 2x's at it and hope I put enough" than a well thought out/Engineered support..
Well- I don't usually hear "didn't think enough about it. Not engineered enough" but I'll take it :). Like I said, it was about managing psi on the slab.
 
Good grief man, have you lost your mind ...... or maybe I'm just jealous :lol:

I am not a structural engineer - well, not an engineer of any kind - but I think if it were me I would think about incorporating LVL's in the mix. I built my current stand, and my new build stand, using laminated plywood beams and they've proven to be very effective. Compressive strength of 2x4 is very high, but the lateral strength and shear not so good.
 
Actually neither money nor time - just an over abundance of passion. If I had money and time, would it take me three years to design?

I love plywood- that's why the top and sides are plywood.

Studs are just best under compression or as beams. They're also cheaper when you're buying tons of wood (which this is)

My miniature model is made up of 1/2" plywood sections for the base to replicate the 2x4s. It was the closest scale model structure.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2589632&page=25

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/0_zpsf3muddin.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/0_zpsf3muddin.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0_zpsf3muddin.jpg"></a>
 
By the way - I need help. If you're interested, I'm open to people coming in to assist build it

*** add legal stuff here that says do this at your own risk... no liability for me... only crazies need come.
 
You see the concrete false floor? Even with the holes, it'll weigh 500-700lbs...

The glass panel weigh 400lbs each.

I only have 3 people so far (myself included) and one is my 70yo+ dad, God bless him!
 
ok... update

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/1_zpslrjh59u9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/1_zpslrjh59u9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1_zpslrjh59u9.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/2_zpspvh3hpz3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/2_zpspvh3hpz3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2_zpspvh3hpz3.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/3_zpsuo2efcwk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/3_zpsuo2efcwk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3_zpsuo2efcwk.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/4_zps8ouleqjo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/4_zps8ouleqjo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4_zps8ouleqjo.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/5_zpss7jmgq8y.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/5_zpss7jmgq8y.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5_zpss7jmgq8y.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/6_zpsbqk6iyh6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/6_zpsbqk6iyh6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6_zpsbqk6iyh6.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/7_zpsj5wsopqn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/7_zpsj5wsopqn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7_zpsj5wsopqn.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/8_zpsz6sxsci3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/8_zpsz6sxsci3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8_zpsz6sxsci3.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/9_zpsqdt0n21t.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/9_zpsqdt0n21t.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9_zpsqdt0n21t.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/10_zpsx6k0fltv.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/10_zpsx6k0fltv.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 10_zpsx6k0fltv.jpg"/></a>
 
This will actually make it easier to epoxy the whole thing.

The combination of studs and plywood should minimize shear.

The additional cross-members should minimize sag in the middle section.

Also, the green studs on the concrete will be bolted down into the slab.

More feedback??
 
I think sheer may still be a problem as all the 2x are oriented in the same direction. You are counting on plywood screwed to 2x alone to keep the stand from folding up on you. If you were to have a wave maker the pressure of water pulsing on the side of the tank may overcome the holding power of screws and glue. I would feel better if part of the 2x were oriented east-west as opposed to all of them being north-south. But this is coming from a professional idiot fwiw
 
Not sure if its just in the illustration, but drilling holes that big in the horizontal beams to run your pipes might weaken them too much. Maybe run the pipes underneath the beams instead of through them.
 
That's why I'm didn't run those 2x4 beams before. There isn't enough clearance from the top of the "sump lead in" tank to access the valves if I run the pipes lower. I would have to drop the sump another 3".
 
jubei2006 said:
I think sheer may still be a problem as all the 2x are oriented in the same direction. You are counting on plywood screwed to 2x alone to keep the stand from folding up on you. If you were to have a wave maker the pressure of water pulsing on the side of the tank may overcome the holding power of screws and glue. I would feel better if part of the 2x were oriented east-west as opposed to all of them being north-south. But this is coming from a professional idiot fwiw
Click to expand...

That's what the plywood skin is for.

I need to access doors to be large enough for me to fit through.

I can look at adding more plywood panels in that direction
 
how's this?

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/1_zpsgj8cl8nx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/1_zpsgj8cl8nx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1_zpsgj8cl8nx.jpg"/></a>

there's plywood around each stud section as before

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/2_zps5xvggruu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/2_zps5xvggruu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2_zps5xvggruu.jpg"/></a>
 
Last edited:
I like those footings much better, whether you have potential bowing north to south or east to west, you have substantial cross bracing to prevent that force from poping 2x like tooth picks. Guess now it would be making sure there are no point stresses on the tank bottom. Think i remember you saying the bottom was epoxied plywood? If done right that should help distribute the weight evenly, then major force to negate would be compressive downward force. Think there are formulas on line to see how much compressive force that tank would place and how much compression the 2x would handle
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

joekidwell
How do I stop light from flooding the room
Replies
6
Views
2K
Sk8r
Sk8r
joekidwell
JBJ Nanocube MP10
Replies
4
Views
3K
jeremy007
J
Reefers4U
Citron Goby Death
Replies
2
Views
552
Reefers4U
Reefers4U
R
coral for sale in Akron/Cleveland
Replies
1
Views
642
Ron448
R
E
FS: 45 SC Aquariums, sump, stand, reactors, UV sterilizer and more
Replies
3
Views
826
Zoahoarder
Zoahoarder
Back
Top