? about building a DIY stand

[hazmat319]

My husband has started to build me a stand for my 75 gallon Deep Blue rimless that I'm going to get in March when we move. Tank is 48"x18" and will sit on top of the stand. We are using the DIY plans from here on RC. Here is my main concern that I can't find the answer to:

Does the stand have to have the same dimensions as the tank? Do the 4 corners of the tank need to rest on the 2x4 corners of the stand for proper support?

I want to build my stand wider than my tank so I can fit all my fish junk underneath with the sump. We made it 3 inches wider so right now the stand is 48" long by 21" wide. We plan on putting a 3/4" top on it and the tank will sit on top of that. I know there are people on here that have built bigger stands but I want to make sure I'm not compromising the integrity of the tank. The last thing I need is for my stand to collapse under the weight of my tank.
We are using extra supports as it is but I want to make sure before we proceed with this. I'm trying to get through the 50 pages on the DIY thread to find the answer and it's taking me forever. It doesn't seem to be addressed.
Any engineers out there that can help me feel better about this?
Any help would be appreciated.

[BubbaBoBobBrain]

You should send a pm to Howardchaz. He has a 75g tank that sits on a well oversized stand. Im sure that he would look inside the stand and see if there is any special bracing that you might need to add to support the weight of the tank.

[gar732]

I don't see you having any issues with the stand only being 3" deeper front to back. there will be plenty of support under the plywood so it won't deflect and you will still have support under all four corners and that is where it counts. Using those plans your stand will be stronger than the floor it is sitting on. Also don't use a center support, you don't need one and it makes working under the stand so much easier. Here is a link for the stand I built it might give you some ideas. Also check out swannyson7's thread he used the same DIY plans. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2108907

[charleneatkins]

Hi Heidi, When we stop over on Sat., my husband will be glad to give a hand. He did maintenance for tyco, now TTM tech. He suggested that you use screws not nails for starters. He's retired, lucky dog, so if you want to give him a call,no problem. pm \# Charlene

[hazmat319]

Hi Heidi, When we stop over on Sat., my husband will be glad to give a hand. He did maintenance for tyco, now TTM tech. He suggested that you use screws not nails for starters. He's retired, lucky dog, so if you want to give him a call,no problem. pm \# Charlene

Thanks Charlene. We definitely used screws. I have seen a couple people (sweetD, Tautog etc) that have larger stands than tanks. Like I said...when you look at the DIY thread it doesn't really address that and most people seem to make their stands the size of their tank. Made me wonder if there was a reason for that.
The only additional supports we have so far are 2x4's that run under the plywood top. Nothing that goes from top to bottom (if that makes sense). And the stand is way more stable than the stock stand you buy with the Deep Blue. I think that is made from particle board!!
Thanks for the replies so far.

[charleneatkins]

for some reason you follow the directios to a "t" but they always manage to leave something out that is assumed you would know. Makes me :angryfire: everytime.


Thanks Charlene. We definitely used screws. I have seen a couple people (sweetD, Tautog etc) that have larger stands than tanks. Like I said...when you look at the DIY thread it doesn't really address that and most people seem to make their stands the size of their tank. Made me wonder if there was a reason for that.
The only additional supports we have so far are 2x4's that run under the plywood top. Nothing that goes from top to bottom (if that makes sense). And the stand is way more stable than the stock stand you buy with the Deep Blue. I think that is made from particle board!!
Thanks for the replies so far.

[cssc]

You can go bigger for sure. Just make sure you add some extra 2x4's on the corners just to be safe and maybe even some in the centers on the front and back if you can.
IMO you can never have enough support because it will make you sleep better at night. There's enough to worry about!