Water Weight - DIY Stand

[bhammer]

All, is there a guide or formula to use to determine how much bracing / support a DIY stand will need. In essence, I need a structures engineer.

[RocketEngineer]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1169964

[bhammer]

I said I needed a structures engineer, not a RocketEngineer. :lolspin: :D

Thanks for the thread.

[bhammer]

Great write up on making the stand. A couple simple questions:

1. Could the same framework be made using 3/4 ply instead of the 2X4?
2. When you say the purple pieces on the short side could be excluded, Are you meaning on the sides of the tank or on the front and backs? It looks like the ones for the sides should stay as they would support the top frame sides, front and back members instead of just the front and backs.


Thanks for any help.

[uncleof6]

Great write up on making the stand. A couple simple questions:

1. Could the same framework be made using 3/4 ply instead of the 2X4?
2. When you say the purple pieces on the short side could be excluded, Are you meaning on the sides of the tank or on the front and backs? It looks like the ones for the sides should stay as they would support the top frame sides, front and back members instead of just the front and backs.


Thanks for any help.

It ain't rocket science to build an aquarium stand. Might be mechanical engineering, however.

3/4" plywood box on will be more than suffiecient to hold up any standard size rimmed tank. (standard being up to ~240 gal.) Glue and screw the thing together. The side pieces sit directly below the rim. (all the way around)

Building a lumber stand is not as easy as some would have you believe, as it is finish carpentry/cabinet making skill level and toolset. (Jointers, planers, etc. for good results) just peruse RC for the threads "My stand is not whatever. Raw lumber is bowed, bent, twisted etc.--- anyway.

With plywood you need to be able to cut square even pieces, accurately and precisely, (cut a straight line where you want it) and that is it. 6 pieces of plywood.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/uncleof6/Untitled-10.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/uncleof6/29galstand.jpg

Regards,

Jim

[bhammer]

Thanks... I will probably have 280 gallons when all said and done.

The only issue I see with your drawing is that there is little lateral support either side to side or front to back depending on panel layout. I will find a photo of a club member who did a box, very well screwed and glued. He got his 180 full and was tying his wave maker out. CRASH!!!!!! Maybe your photo is missing some of the supports.

I have a nice table saw, compound miter, joiner, routers, and various special tools to get the job done. Not to mention more jigs and fixtures than I know what to do with. Lucky for me, I grew up helping in a cabinet and trim shop and later building.

[uncleof6]

The photo is missing nothing. Obviously that particular individual did not do something right, or just got plain obnoxious with rockin the tank back and forth. Anecdote: My stands don't go crash. And if you wanna waste time rockin a tank, fine-- build the stand with steel.

Regards,

Jim

[bhammer]

Okay, cool. I am not smart enough when it comes to aquarium stands to tell yes or no or what's good or not. Who knows if we even got the full story, maybe he was pushing on it to see just how strong his work was. I can hear it now... "Hey honey, look what I made and see how strong it is....";)

[uncleof6]

Okay, cool. I am not smart enough when it comes to aquarium stands to tell yes or no or what's good or not. Who knows if we even got the full story, maybe he was pushing on it to see just how strong his work was. I can hear it now... "Hey honey, look what I made and see how strong it is....";)


:lol: http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fc/popcorn.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)