Stand support question

[csrobe02]

Hello all, I am in the process of building a stand for a 120 gallon that will be going in my new house in Gainesville. The question i have is: Should i put a center support across the middle of the stand, or will it be ok as is? there will be a 1/2" plywood board across the top of this thing ( this pic is just the skeleton) wilth the overflows cut out.
The middle support seems almost impossible to put in at the moment without rainsing the stand 2" or pulling it apart. Will the board across the top be enough to distribute the weight to t he legs of the stand?
All advice is greatly apperciated

 

[nm reef]

If it were me I'd add a center support both top and bottom...especially on a display of your size. Just to be safe.....:thinking:

 

[reefrobber]

My dad and i are also making the stand for my 90!!! we are adding a center support, as well as side supports surrounding three inches of the tank. and another suggestion would be to use 3/4 in. plywood, but that's just in my opinion goodluck

 

[masterreef]

The middle support seems almost impossible to put in at the moment without rainsing the stand 2" or pulling it apart. Will the board across the top be enough to distribute the weight to t he legs of the stand?

Then offset a double brace, one just alongside your center vertical on either side. It's not just an issue of holding the weight. You have to hold the weight perfectly square without any shift in geomety. If your geometry shifts under the weight it'll stress the seams of your tank . . . JMO

 

[attml]

I put one in on mine just to be safe!
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/105248/my-new-120g-project-is-underway
Just add a second 2x4 along the front top and bottom and nail a brace to it
Like this

[hr]
| |

[hr]
- New 2x4

[hr]
- existing 2x4

 

[attml]

Here is a better diagram

 

[csrobe02]

wow attml thanks for the diagram. Now my questions about that is: would it be smart to notch the front 2x4 like that since I dont have a 4x4 to support the middle in the front? It seems like it would weaken that front beam alot.
Would I be able to do something like this. I hope you dont mind, but I took your diagram and changed it a little to see if something like this would work. Im planning on doing something like this, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom.

 

[attml]

I wouldn't notch the front or back beams - that would definitely weaken it. You could get by like this(attached top view) The center support will give you front to back stability. You may want to add an up and down brace on that one side. It still gets plywood on top right?

 

[attml]

Kind of like this

 

[csrobe02]

Ok I see what you are telling me to do now. Just one other questions about that: What is the purpose of the dual 2x4's in the front? It seems that just the 2 center supports would be the same as with the dual 2x4's.
This is how it could be done on my tank, because i have already done everything in black, I just dont understand the benefit of doing whats in red.
P.S.: Thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[attml]

I tend to over build stuff. Your way will be fine! By doing it my way you have screws holding it together from 2 seperate directions whch just gives it a little more strength. Since you are going to be putting plywood on top your way should work fine - I am just a little paranoid when it comes to that stuff! Looking good so far make sure you post more pictures as you keep building!

 

[blackomne]

It could use some diagonals to give it more support.