question about stand
- Thread starter beffers
- Start date
travelerjp98
Active Member
does it generally feel sturdy?
travelerjp98
Active Member
check to make sure all bolts, nuts, and screws are secure too!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Make sure all of the screws and nuts and bolts are secure. Maybe add some wood glue to the joints if necessary. Pick it up on one end and tilt it. If the other end doesn't come up off the floor immediately when you do, it's not sturdy. You may want to add some cross braces out of 2x2s or 2x4s at the top of the stand. You may also want to cut out a 3/4" piece of plywood to fit on top after you have put the cross braces in place. Then add a layer of 1/2" to 1" styrofoam on top of it to make sure the aquarium levels out and "settles" right. Once you've done that, then you can trim it to suite your taste. 
Also, make sure that you don't find any mushy spots or any really moldy or mildew spots either. Mushy = bad.
Anyways, it looks like you got something good going there. Are you going to re-finish it and re-stain it? I'm anxious to find out! Don't forget to post a build thread! lol
Also, make sure that you don't find any mushy spots or any really moldy or mildew spots either. Mushy = bad.
Anyways, it looks like you got something good going there. Are you going to re-finish it and re-stain it? I'm anxious to find out! Don't forget to post a build thread! lol
beffers
Member
Yea i got some 2x4s and plywood today to put across the top and i will do that tilt test. Im gonna sand it down and re-stain it but what about the inside should i stain that too or do i need to paint it with something else to waterproof it since its gonna have a sump underneath?
And i will def. post a build thread but thats not gonna be for awhile, once this stands done its back to saving money for a tank lol
Thanks for the replies,
Beth
And i will def. post a build thread but thats not gonna be for awhile, once this stands done its back to saving money for a tank lol
Thanks for the replies,
Beth
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
YAY!
Yeah, you could sand it down and re-stain it. You could also put a plywood sheet on the bottom of the tank as well, and then chalk it and they epoxy paint the inside completely so that it would be easy to clean from mold and mildew. Also if there is any overspill from your sump the bottom of the stand can hold a few gallons of water so that it's not all over the floor or better yet - carpet.
I would recommend epoxy painting the inside of the stand, at least so that it would stay clean and that humidity won't degrade the wood over time. I wish I did it on a few tanks that I built. lol. Good thing now is that you have the opportunity to do so!
Yeah, you could sand it down and re-stain it. You could also put a plywood sheet on the bottom of the tank as well, and then chalk it and they epoxy paint the inside completely so that it would be easy to clean from mold and mildew. Also if there is any overspill from your sump the bottom of the stand can hold a few gallons of water so that it's not all over the floor or better yet - carpet.
I would recommend epoxy painting the inside of the stand, at least so that it would stay clean and that humidity won't degrade the wood over time. I wish I did it on a few tanks that I built. lol. Good thing now is that you have the opportunity to do so!
beffers
Member
yea i think im gonna throw some 2x4s in the corners and maybe a couple in the back as well as the cross braces at the top
and then the sheet of plywood on the top and bottom
think that would do it?
as far as color im not really sure yet, probably something dark, close to what it was originally.
and then the sheet of plywood on the top and bottom
think that would do it?
as far as color im not really sure yet, probably something dark, close to what it was originally.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Looking good. I might would still put a couple cross braces on the sides and a couple on the back. I wouldn't take any chances. How big of a sump are you going to put under there?
acrylic51
Active Member
Stand Looks Good!!!!!! You could have made the stand technically stronger by installing those 2x4's on the edges rather than laying them flat, but will work as you have them installed. You did use glue when installing the 2x4 reinforcements? I only ask, because you never want to rely solely on mechanical fasteners.
Installing plywood on the top of the stand and inside the stand bottom will really stiffen the stand. Honestly there isn't a real need for any cross bracing across the back or inside of the stand. If you look at some of the store bought/produced units, they are merely compress panels and use the weight of the tank to keep everything together....Personally I don't like them, but the work. The only other thing you can/could do to really tie the stand together would be to apply a thin 1/2" panel of plywood to the back of the stand and take a router and route the openings back open again how the stand sits now. This would really tie things tight.....
Installing plywood on the top of the stand and inside the stand bottom will really stiffen the stand. Honestly there isn't a real need for any cross bracing across the back or inside of the stand. If you look at some of the store bought/produced units, they are merely compress panels and use the weight of the tank to keep everything together....Personally I don't like them, but the work. The only other thing you can/could do to really tie the stand together would be to apply a thin 1/2" panel of plywood to the back of the stand and take a router and route the openings back open again how the stand sits now. This would really tie things tight.....
acrylic51
Active Member
Many different ways to accomplish that task.......
I think some have used epoxy paint......you could use wood sealant, polyurethane ( a lot) of coats also works well......Epoxy is another option for sealing the bottom panel of the stand.....I opted to paint the inside of my stand, and then I seal and caulk around the perimeter of the inside of the stand and then I line the inside of my stand with FRP board and basically make a tub enclosure....That way if there is any spillage or leakage some if not all is contained inside the stand.
The biggest thing is you want to protect the wood and keep it from absorbing water!!!!!!!
I think some have used epoxy paint......you could use wood sealant, polyurethane ( a lot) of coats also works well......Epoxy is another option for sealing the bottom panel of the stand.....I opted to paint the inside of my stand, and then I seal and caulk around the perimeter of the inside of the stand and then I line the inside of my stand with FRP board and basically make a tub enclosure....That way if there is any spillage or leakage some if not all is contained inside the stand.
The biggest thing is you want to protect the wood and keep it from absorbing water!!!!!!!