DIY stand ?

[ceige]

I plan to build a stand for a 75gal this weekend. I am using the RC thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964)with the stand calculator and diagrams.

They claim a 2x4 upper cross rail is fine for a 75gal tank

Can anyone that has already built one comment if this is true? My brain wants me to use a 2x6 for this part but I don’t want to overkill the stand.

Tks

[S Hunter]

2x4's will be fine, have you taken a good look at the stands you can buy at a LFS :)

[ceige]

have you taken a good look at the stands you can buy at a LFS :)

LOL yup......

I guess I just needed another view thanks

[Flame Angel]

Well I built a stand for a 55 gal out of 2x4 and 2x3 years back and it was strong enough. So I would think 2x4 would be pleanty... Plus keeping in mind your not really going that long of a span with the 2x4... 4-6' not 8', plus your not really more than 3' with out a support. IMO I would run a 2x3 between the two green ends and the blue center for better support under the entire outside of the tank.

[spaceship]

The only difference is the spans 2x6 is def stronger but not sure on price difference. And with 4'x18"stand your fine with 2x4s...also i used 4x4 legs IMO stronger then that drawing and less wood..I Made my stand from one 2x6 and 2 4x4 and 2 2x4.. my dad just finished the basement so free wood is awesome. Just remember use a nail gun or skrews...

[Bobbofin]

That will work fine. I used those exact same plans for my 2'x2' 60 cube. Like someone else said the ones already made are basically crap. I covered it with 1/4 furniture grade plywood with doors and trim. I can out awesome.

[buddy524]

I used 2x4 for the frame and I have since upgraded to a 90 gallon and the frame handles it with no problem

[MikeG]

I used 2x4 for the frame and I have since upgraded to a 90 gallon and the frame handles it with no problem

Very nice finished product!

[buddy524]

Very nice finished product!

thanks

[MikeG]

The only difference is the spans 2x6 is def stronger but not sure on price difference. And with 4'x18"stand your fine with 2x4s...also i used 4x4 legs IMO stronger then that drawing and less wood..I Made my stand from one 2x6 and 2 4x4 and 2 2x4.. my dad just finished the basement so free wood is awesome. Just remember use a nail gun or skrews...

I would also put 2x4's on the corners vertically inbetween the top and bottom frame. The way you built this, the nails or screws carry the entire weight of the aquarium. With a support inbetween these 2 frames, the wood carries the load. Other option is to cut away part of the 4x4 so it interlocks with the 2x6 frame. Here is one of my stands from the back to see how the wood lines.

[buddy524]

I would also put 2x4's on the corners vertically inbetween the top and bottom frame. The way you built this, the nails or screws carry the entire weight of the aquarium. With a support inbetween these 2 frames, the wood carries the load. Other option is to cut away part of the 4x4 so it interlocks with the 2x6 frame. Here is one of my stands from the back to see how the wood lines.

nice job

[stevenp]

If you're concerned you can always reinforce the spanning 2x4 with some steel stock and lag bolts. You can pick up 1/4" x 3" flat stock at a steel supply pretty cheap. I did this on my sump which spans 5' (without a center support).

On a side note, I personally feel the AGA stands are better designed than a lot of the DIY stands skinned with thin material. A 1/2" sheet of plywood sat vertically will support a lot more weight than a 2x4 before it sags or twists. Think "I-beam".

[jayman10134]

IMO, only the corners of the tank actually needs to be supported so i wouldn't worry to much about the spans. thats how it is done at almost every pet store without any incidents.

[wrassefan]

IMO, if you are not using a center brace, I would use 2x6 on a 4' span....but I would use a center brace (even a removable one if you are worried about fitting a sump in).

[marco67]

The only difference is the spans 2x6 is def stronger but not sure on price difference. And with 4'x18"stand your fine with 2x4s...also i used 4x4 legs IMO stronger then that drawing and less wood..I Made my stand from one 2x6 and 2 4x4 and 2 2x4.. my dad just finished the basement so free wood is awesome. Just remember use a nail gun or skrews...


For a small tank this design is fine, when you start getting into larger I would modify this so the the nails don't carry all the weight.
It's important to have weight bearing on wood no fasteners all the way to the floor and in the case of a very large tank that weight in turn bearing evenly across floor joists down to foundation.

[delta]

Steven P has it, you do not need anything but plywood. 4x4's, 2x6's are overkill as well as 4x4's Also they are a total waste of space.

Problem with a stand built with framing lumber that has no sheathing on it is that it has no lateral support except for the fasteners in the wood. Not the best scenario

For a small tank, I agree a LFS will most likely have something more than suitable for around the money you will end up spending on your DIY stand.
might even look better too ;)

[ceige]

everything I read tells me I am fine with 2x4's under a 75. the span is only 41.5" thanks for all the input

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YhIAHO7507I/SxRai5OFd5I/AAAAAAAAGpY/QpVmmXCiP08/Tankonstand.JPG