Tank stand
- Thread starter i<3fish
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
2x4s can hold an awful lot of weight when standing on end...
The key to building stands is to have one piece sit on top of another, not screwed together. That way, the vertical forces are exerted on basically stacked pieces, not screws or bolts.
Like this:
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II....................II
Not like this:
II=========II
II....................II
(the dots (.....) are in there to make it format right. Imagine it without them.)
The key to building stands is to have one piece sit on top of another, not screwed together. That way, the vertical forces are exerted on basically stacked pieces, not screws or bolts.
Like this:
===========
II....................II
Not like this:
II=========II
II....................II
(the dots (.....) are in there to make it format right. Imagine it without them.)
X
xoxox
Guest
My stand is farther along now than these pictures show but this might help alittle.
Its for a 180, I copied the GARF plans and then modified them for my needs.
I wanted an open middle with a four door style. The inner 2x4s are doubled up (4x4s)
actually the back inners are 4x6s. I went a little crazy with the top cross sections but it will
help balance the weight over the whole top better. I've had to shim a side of it (top) for level but I won't know until the tank has test water how level it will truly be.
I'll have to include updated photos if anyone is interested. I'm gonna go for that black gothic look when its all done (no reason, just a theme).
P.s. Liquid Nails is your friend..
Its for a 180, I copied the GARF plans and then modified them for my needs.
I wanted an open middle with a four door style. The inner 2x4s are doubled up (4x4s)
actually the back inners are 4x6s. I went a little crazy with the top cross sections but it will
help balance the weight over the whole top better. I've had to shim a side of it (top) for level but I won't know until the tank has test water how level it will truly be.
I'll have to include updated photos if anyone is interested. I'm gonna go for that black gothic look when its all done (no reason, just a theme).
P.s. Liquid Nails is your friend..
S
sonicboom1
Guest
how does it stay together with no nails? I wouldnt think glue would hold that together..
S
sonicboom1
Guest
Oh I thought you guyes werent using screws at all..
So you screw together the support with wood screws, screw the 2x4 upright beams in, then do you lay more 2x4 up top all the way around with a piece of plywood ontop?
So you screw together the support with wood screws, screw the 2x4 upright beams in, then do you lay more 2x4 up top all the way around with a piece of plywood ontop?
S
sonicboom1
Guest
do you leave the top like xoxox? or make a sort of center type brace?
robchuck
Active Member
The stand for my 300g is built in the same fashion as XoXoX's, except doubled-up 2x4's (cripples) were as bulky as I went; and the stand is still holding solid a year later! Here is a pic (the only additions were sheets of 3/4" plywood screwed to the top and another screwed on top of the cross braces on the bottom to create a shelf, several coats of Kilz, and an oil-based paint.
sou812
Member
Originally Posted by RobChuck
The stand for my 300g is built in the same fashion as XoXoX's, except doubled-up 2x4's (cripples) were as bulky as I went; and the stand is still holding solid a year later! Here is a pic (the only additions were sheets of 3/4" plywood screwed to the top and another screwed on top of the cross braces on the bottom to create a shelf, several coats of Kilz, and an oil-based paint.
Very nice I see u built it into the wall awsome. I have mine as a room devider. The real key to a good stand is make sure all of your boards r the same lengths so when u put it all together its nice and square.
The stand for my 300g is built in the same fashion as XoXoX's, except doubled-up 2x4's (cripples) were as bulky as I went; and the stand is still holding solid a year later! Here is a pic (the only additions were sheets of 3/4" plywood screwed to the top and another screwed on top of the cross braces on the bottom to create a shelf, several coats of Kilz, and an oil-based paint.
Very nice I see u built it into the wall awsome. I have mine as a room devider. The real key to a good stand is make sure all of your boards r the same lengths so when u put it all together its nice and square.
phixer
Active Member
Found these pics on another site, this stand is for a 1000 gallon tank. Cant remember the dimensions but it is huge. The last photo is what it lookes like after 3/4 of leveling cement was added over the 3/4 plywood. A 1/2 thick sheet of styrofoam was put on top of this and the tank was set on that.
