DIY Stands Template and Calculator - Page 90

TheFishMan65 · 12/15/2011, 07:54 AM

Enthusiastic,
The leg requirement don't change on height. One leg in the middle with everything being 2x4s will work. As you mentioned just anchor it to the wall.

Floyd R Turbo · 12/15/2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhodophyta

Hollow cinder blocks and top with plywood. One of the first saltwater wholesalers in this area used cinder blocks for all his tanks, adding more the same design as he expanded with the growing interest in inverts and coral. After 30+ years when he retired and moved to Florida, even the oldest tanks and stands were still in operation. I helped him move out the tanks and got to keep one, a 90 gallon tank that has been running here for the past ten years since he retired and still looks good (great seams) although it was built in 1972. Not on cinder blocks, although early on I used to have them. Cheap quick solid.

+1 on this. I can't tell you how many LFSs I have been to that have rack systems made out of 2x4s that just span the front/back of the tanks. I've even seen 55g tanks just supported by the ends. I believe TheFishMan65 posted that AGA recommends that tank up to the 24x48 120g can be supported by the corners only, making sure that at least 6" along each corner is fully supported.

I currently have a 40B set up as a holding tank for some frags while I'm moving everything from one tank to the other, and I have it set up on the floor with a 2x4 flat on the floor along each short end like this

Though I think I just realized that you can't see the 2x4s. But you get the idea.

scott26 · 12/18/2011, 11:11 PM

I was hoping to get a little help here. Not sure if I should add some support to the middle 1x3 going across. What do you think?

Enthusiastic · 12/19/2011, 07:22 AM

I am grateful for a magnificent work you've done in helping people like me.
Sorry for disturbing again. I have been reading a lot last days and got different answers so just want to make sure if my stand is 48"(120cm) tall while the tank size is 214*50*70cm (l*w*h) will it need just 2*8 size for top frame and legs with center support leg? Other particles just 2*4 parts.
And to be stable I should anchor it to the wall?
Thanks

This stand at the photo is 48" tall with 210g tank on it.

TheFishMan65 · 12/19/2011, 07:36 AM

Scott,

I would not recommend that design. You want the legs directly under the tank (usually the corners). You are holding the tank up with screws and glue not wood.

TheFishMan65 · 12/19/2011, 07:39 AM

Enthusiastic,
A 210 8 foot tank can get away with 2x6 for the top rail if there is a center leg both front and back.

Donw · 12/19/2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott26

I was hoping to get a little help here. Not sure if I should add some support to the middle 1x3 going across. What do you think?

It would be just fine as long as you did the joinery on the inner frame properly and skinned the top with 3/4" plywood glued evenly to the entire top frame.

Don

TheFishMan65 · 12/19/2011, 09:57 AM

Scott,
Maybe Don knows something I don't (or I missed it). But I don't see a reference to a tank size. Is this a 90 or 225? I see you have posted about both sizes recently in other thread. I don't think either of those would work with 1x3s.

Donw · 12/19/2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFishMan65

Scott,
Maybe Don knows something I don't (or I missed it). But I don't see a reference to a tank size. Is this a 90 or 225? I see you have posted about both sizes recently in other thread. I don't think either of those would work with 1x3s.

The ply glued to the top frame would act sort of like a torsion box. Personally Id just use 1x3 doubled up strips of plywood for the inner frame. I'd attatch the inner frame to the outer frame with a floating tenons but pocket holes would be fine also. The back skin will carry the load provided its 1/2 or thicker and the partial torsion box will carry the front load. The plywood top will make up for joiner flaws provided its glued properly to all the upper frame parts.

Don

scott26 · 12/19/2011, 10:47 AM

Sorry forgot to mention this is just for my 30 gallon cube. I moved the legs around a little so I will have to show that in a bit.

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Donw · 12/19/2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott26

Sorry forgot to mention this is just for my 30 gallon cube. I moved the legs around a little so I will have to show that in a bit.

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For a thirty you dont need to change anything. I would still put a top on it and skin it for shear strength but thats about it.

Don

scott26 · 12/19/2011, 05:42 PM

I changed it a little this way should add some extra support to the horizontal supports, I am debating between 1x3 wood or 1x4 wood I have to go check it out at the lumber store later. What do you think?

TheFishMan65 · 12/20/2011, 08:59 AM

I like the looks of that much better. Don is probably right, I don't understand torsion box real well.

wiscousonian · 12/20/2011, 01:11 PM

Enthusiastic, As a reference i made my tank stand for a 125 and it's 42" tall...I'm on a cement slab. I think that this is a great height for the tank as it's a good viewing level, without having to bend over. If i were to do it again, i might make it only an inch or two taller.

Just thought I'd post an update for those looking through this thread for ideas too, as i once was. Great resource for help in here, thanks everyone! Here is the final product:

p.s. Sorry I'm only Freshwater at this point, maybe switching to SW in future.

Rhodophyta · 12/20/2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donw

For a thirty you dont need to change anything. I would still put a top on it and skin it for shear strength but thats about it.

Don

Stands bigger than the tanks may not add all that much stability. I would not change it either front to back or left to right. A top and a skin make sense. If no on would trip on it, you could attach a pedestal wider than the stand at the bottom, and reaching behind the stand to the wall.

Enthusiastic · 12/22/2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiscousonian

Enthusiastic, As a reference i made my tank stand for a 125 and it's 42" tall...I'm on a cement slab. I think that this is a great height for the tank as it's a good viewing level, without having to bend over. If i were to do it again, i might make it only an inch or two taller.

Just thought I'd post an update for those looking through this thread for ideas too, as i once was. Great resource for help in here, thanks everyone! Here is the final product:

p.s. Sorry I'm only Freshwater at this point, maybe switching to SW in future.

Thank you very much. Is your stand stable?

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heartandsoul · 12/26/2011, 10:50 AM

Iam going to be building a stand for my 375.Its gonna be a set in a wall, so no framing will be seen. what size lumber do you recommend for this size of a tank? the tank is 96x30x30. Thank you.

Rhodophyta · 12/26/2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heartandsoul

Iam going to be building a stand for my 375.Its gonna be a set in a wall, so no framing will be seen. what size lumber do you recommend for this size of a tank? the tank is 96x30x30. Thank you.

Glass or acrylic? If on a concrete slab like the post just above you, a cinder block wall.

heartandsoul · 12/26/2011, 09:00 PM

Its acrylic. Putting it my 2 nd level..

heartandsoul · 12/26/2011, 09:01 PM

Wood floor.

cdrewferd · 12/27/2011, 06:49 PM

I'm going to be building the stand for my 29 Biocube tomorrow. I want to build the stand 24"d x 32"w x 32"t. The tank is only 21"d x 20"w. could I do maybe 3 2x4's across the top and not do a center brace? I can build basically a stand for the tank and extend it, but I'd love to have a nice open area and not lose 6" on each side.

Drew

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Rhodophyta · 12/27/2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heartandsoul

Wood floor.

Deduced that from #2244. Wood would work.

cdrewferd · 12/29/2011, 09:41 AM

Anybody have any feedback on my question 2 posts back?

Drew

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Donw · 12/29/2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrewferd

Anybody have any feedback on my question 2 posts back?

Drew

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With a tank that small you can pretty much have your way with it as long as the top is solid.

Don

Enthusiastic · 01/02/2012, 09:48 AM

Happy New year. Just updating TALL stand build progress for those who may benefit from it in the future. Thanks everybody who helped.
Top frame is 2*8, front and back verticals the same. Side verticals, bottom frame and central legs at the back are 2*4.

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12/15/2011, 07:54 AM	#2226
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Enthusiastic, The leg requirement don't change on height. One leg in the middle with everything being 2x4s will work. As you mentioned just anchor it to the wall. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/19/2011, 07:36 AM	#2230
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Scott, I would not recommend that design. You want the legs directly under the tank (usually the corners). You are holding the tank up with screws and glue not wood. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/19/2011, 07:39 AM	#2231
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Enthusiastic, A 210 8 foot tank can get away with 2x6 for the top rail if there is a center leg both front and back. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/19/2011, 09:57 AM	#2233
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Scott, Maybe Don knows something I don't (or I missed it). But I don't see a reference to a tank size. Is this a 90 or 225? I see you have posted about both sizes recently in other thread. I don't think either of those would work with 1x3s. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/19/2011, 10:47 AM	#2235
scott26 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Maria Posts: 624	Sorry forgot to mention this is just for my 30 gallon cube. I moved the legs around a little so I will have to show that in a bit. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk __________________ Tank list: 55 Gallon Mixed (Broken Down), 95 Gallon Wave (Sold), 30 Gallon Cube (Rebuilding), 225 Gallon (Sold), 150 Gallon (Building). Current Tank Info: 150 Euro Building

12/18/2011, 11:11 PM	#2228
scott26 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Maria Posts: 624	I was hoping to get a little help here. Not sure if I should add some support to the middle 1x3 going across. What do you think?

12/19/2011, 05:42 PM	#2237
scott26 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Santa Maria Posts: 624	I changed it a little this way should add some extra support to the horizontal supports, I am debating between 1x3 wood or 1x4 wood I have to go check it out at the lumber store later. What do you think?

12/20/2011, 08:59 AM	#2238
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	I like the looks of that much better. Don is probably right, I don't understand torsion box real well. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/20/2011, 01:11 PM	#2239
wiscousonian Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 9	Enthusiastic, As a reference i made my tank stand for a 125 and it's 42" tall...I'm on a cement slab. I think that this is a great height for the tank as it's a good viewing level, without having to bend over. If i were to do it again, i might make it only an inch or two taller. Just thought I'd post an update for those looking through this thread for ideas too, as i once was. Great resource for help in here, thanks everyone! Here is the final product: p.s. Sorry I'm only Freshwater at this point, maybe switching to SW in future.

12/26/2011, 10:50 AM	#2242
heartandsoul Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: andover,ohio Posts: 129	Iam going to be building a stand for my 375.Its gonna be a set in a wall, so no framing will be seen. what size lumber do you recommend for this size of a tank? the tank is 96x30x30. Thank you.

12/26/2011, 09:00 PM	#2244
heartandsoul Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: andover,ohio Posts: 129	Its acrylic. Putting it my 2 nd level..

12/26/2011, 09:01 PM	#2245
heartandsoul Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: andover,ohio Posts: 129	Wood floor.

12/27/2011, 06:49 PM	#2246
cdrewferd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 243	I'm going to be building the stand for my 29 Biocube tomorrow. I want to build the stand 24"d x 32"w x 32"t. The tank is only 21"d x 20"w. could I do maybe 3 2x4's across the top and not do a center brace? I can build basically a stand for the tank and extend it, but I'd love to have a nice open area and not lose 6" on each side. Drew Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/29/2011, 09:41 AM	#2248
cdrewferd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 243	Anybody have any feedback on my question 2 posts back? Drew Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/02/2012, 09:48 AM	#2250
Enthusiastic Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 15	Happy New year. Just updating TALL stand build progress for those who may benefit from it in the future. Thanks everybody who helped. Top frame is 28, front and back verticals the same. Side verticals, bottom frame and central legs at the back are 24. Sent from my HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio X315e using Tapatalk