DIY 150 gallon stand
- Thread starter oceanists
- Start date
oceanists
Active Member
Originally Posted by jlem
4X4's are overkill and take up alot of room. I have built lots of stands and 3/4 plywood with 2X4's in the corners is plenty. You don't need to have a full 2X4 frame. You want the stand to be able to flex so it does not crack the tank. No matter how hard you try you will not get the stand perfectly square and if you over build it your stand, the little inconsistencies could cause stresss on the tank. The stand should support the tank and be able to form square to the tank. I will be building my own 150 gallon Oak Stand in a week or so and will document how I do it so you can see how I do it.
that would be sweet thank you
4X4's are overkill and take up alot of room. I have built lots of stands and 3/4 plywood with 2X4's in the corners is plenty. You don't need to have a full 2X4 frame. You want the stand to be able to flex so it does not crack the tank. No matter how hard you try you will not get the stand perfectly square and if you over build it your stand, the little inconsistencies could cause stresss on the tank. The stand should support the tank and be able to form square to the tank. I will be building my own 150 gallon Oak Stand in a week or so and will document how I do it so you can see how I do it.
that would be sweet thank you
ninjamini
Active Member
I am planning on building a stand and I have spent alot of time looking at stands at the stores. Not one uses 4x4 or 2x4 construction. Most are solid or ply wood and some are even MDF. At most they have 1x2 supports in the corners. But most are just 1 layer of wood with reinforces in the corner. I think what we need is a company that makes custom stands that we can put together. Think the ikea of stands. Or at least a cabinet maker that can come up with some easy plans.
hot883
Active Member
Originally Posted by sleasia
Ok, I have to build a stand for a 150...I just bought 10 2x4's for the frame each about $2.19 a piece. now what do I put around the stand? thin plywood, particle board, drywall? does it matter at all what you cover the frame with? or just use wood plank?
Water and drywall and or particle board do not mix. Plywood is several layers of wood laid different directions for strength. You can use 1/4" or 3/8" is fine. 4x4's is serious overkill. 2x4's are fine.
Ok, I have to build a stand for a 150...I just bought 10 2x4's for the frame each about $2.19 a piece. now what do I put around the stand? thin plywood, particle board, drywall? does it matter at all what you cover the frame with? or just use wood plank?
Water and drywall and or particle board do not mix. Plywood is several layers of wood laid different directions for strength. You can use 1/4" or 3/8" is fine. 4x4's is serious overkill. 2x4's are fine.
sleasia
Active Member
hot 883...I was also thinking that drywall will probably not do well...my sump for my 200 gall fowlr is on the floor against the wall now and there is some serious damage, even though I put a plexiglass sheet up against the wall... Its going to have to be plywood. Now I had a thought. I was all excited to go ahead and just build the stand...then I said, wait a minute, before I build this stand let me be sure I can even drill this tank...so I've been busy learning how everyone has been drilling their glass tanks...I practiced on some picture frame glass tonight and the dremel method seems to work very well. So I thing first, I will drill the tank and be sure I can before I go ahead and make the stand.
biggredd
Member
Maybe the 4x4's were overkill but it was my first stand I ever built and I factored in the weight and didn't want to take any chances. That and I took someone else on heres advice about them. Oh well, doesn't really hurt anything, just a little extra insurance maybe?
As for the plywood I used 1/2 inch sheet. I knew that once I started to paint it though that it would be too rough for a good finish. You could probably buy a more finished wood and avoid the putty and sand process but it was cheap this way, just a little more effort. The stand came out good. I had my realtor comment about how smooth it was, he was really surprised. He thought I bought it that way. No replacement for dedication.
As for the plywood I used 1/2 inch sheet. I knew that once I started to paint it though that it would be too rough for a good finish. You could probably buy a more finished wood and avoid the putty and sand process but it was cheap this way, just a little more effort. The stand came out good. I had my realtor comment about how smooth it was, he was really surprised. He thought I bought it that way. No replacement for dedication.