Do I need center braces with a 4X4?

[Scoobaman17]

I'm building a stand for my 100 gallon display. The stand it is on now is a crappy design after really looking at it and it is only help up by 4 2X4s. The stand I am building will be held up by 8 2X4's and I wanted to know if I use a 4X4 or a 4X6 in the front of the tank at the top of the stand do I need center braces? Tank is 5 foot long by 18 depth. I have removed my center braces on my current tank "it orriginally never had them" to get to my sump and to replace my sump while the tank stood up and it's currently only a 2X4 across the front. I'd think a 4X4 or 4X6 would work even better. What you think?

Also becouse of my center overflow I can't do a 4X4 in the back but I will have center braces in the back.

Thanks!

[chimmike]

don't use any 4x4's or 4x6's. And don't use any pressure treated wood!

Honestly, 2 2x4's in each corner will be plenty of support for that tank.

I just built a stand for my 100g. I oversized it, the upper and lower frames are 2x6 with at least 2 horizontal supports and I've got 2 2x4's in each corner. I'm doing a center support on the front mainly for ease of skinning and adding doors.

[sjm817]

You can build a perfectly good stand out of 3/4" plywood. You dont need any 4x4 or even 2x4 for that matter.

[macchicks]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110

Check this thread out.

[Scoobaman17]

I had checked that out, It's sorta mixed up people say yes and no, however I don't see anywhere abot a 4x4 compared to a 2x4 however that thread does say it's better to size up then double up. So I guess a 4X4 would be beter then two 2x4's glues and screwed together. I'll keep reading and research and see what comes up.

[chimmike]

I've seen mentioned by people smarter than me on here that 4x4's tend to twist/split and that 2x4's are more than strong enough to begin with. Just repeating what I've seen.

[ChadTheSpike]

^+1

If you really are set on using 4x4s, it is better to use 2 2x4s because of the reasons Mike stated... They are much better long term.

[troylee]

I had checked that out, It's sorta mixed up people say yes and no, however I don't see anywhere abot a 4x4 compared to a 2x4 however that thread does say it's better to size up then double up. So I guess a 4X4 would be beter then two 2x4's glues and screwed together. I'll keep reading and research and see what comes up.
2x4s glued together are stronger than a 4x4 fwiw.... run the grain in opposite directions and its really strong..... but like everyone mentioned a plywood stand would hold the thing with ease.... i personally would just 2x4s by them self and not double it up..... you would be amazed how strong wood really is...;)

[Scoobaman17]

I'm sticking with 2x4s. Thanks everyone!

[macchicks]

Your welcome but to be clear by size up they meant go to a 2 by 6 instead of a 2 by 4

[mike536]

Hey I say if you got em use em. If not 2x4's are plenty.

[Jeff000]

Plywood on its own is more then enough, and already over built. If you look at commercial stands you will see plywood and no supports in the center, even for huge glass tanks.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1870431
Thats my build its sitting full of water right now.

If its a rimmed glass tank you only need to support the corners, nothing else is load bearing.