Are there certain rules to follow when building a stand?

[John Hartford]

I am planning to build a stand for my 210 reef tank. Are there certain rules that one should consider about building the stand. Any ehlpful hints?

[Mike.B]

Your tanks going to weigh as much as a car, consider that!

[HippieSmell]

Don't rely on screws. Make sure that all surfaces that touch the tank are supported directly by wood to the floor.

[hot4teacher]

Use boards on edge and not laying on the face (unless using 4"x4" or other square cut). For example, I would use a 2x4 like this || and NOT like this = .

Overbuild it. It's easy to overbuild something to hold a 400 gallon tank and have peace of mind and less headaches down the road. When in doubt, go big!

Measure twice and cut once.

Plan it like water will be touching everything and getting it wet. It will happen eventually through no fault of your own. Devise a strategy to make everything accessible without having to pull out a 55 gallon sump.

Build it so you DON'T have to take the stand apart to get the sump in/out. It will happen eventually.

Plan for EVERYTHING to go wrong.

Keep a box of bandaids/6-er of cold brews/Tylenol handy.

Inspect all wood at store and ensure that it is straight (look down the egde).

OK, that's it for me.

Dana

[Maxius]

be very carefull using power tolls ....or you might have some thin like this happen:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/seafury/000023.jpg
always use a guard on power tools!!!!!!!!

[wiggie89]

oww

[RandyStacyE]

Maxius

Tell me that's not you in the pic ....

[Maxius]

Yeah that be me....
was cutting a 2x6 cought a knot in the wood...the rest is history
here is the piece still with bone fragments on it
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/seafury/PICT0jgdjggfgfjjd.jpg