Stand build for 500 gallon
 

Any idea on how to build a stand for a tank this big I would like to make it out of wood the tank is 96-48-25 inches length. By width by height.

do a search for "diy stand" there are tons of threads for large tanks. thats a big tank though. dont mess up.

haha.

First of all, check out the Large Tank Forum for some ideas. Next I would go on over to RocketEngineer's thread "DIY Aquarium Stand Calculator" and post your dimensions and see what he can do for you.

metal would probably be better.

+1

Depending on access you need under the tank, you should strongly consider a metal stand. Also, be sure to get some help from an engineer about where the tank will sit and what modifications you may need to make to the building to adequately support the massive weight from that size of tank.

Ok thanks for the help I pmed rocket engineer and the tank will be sitting in the basement floor of my house which has a concrete slab under it. I was looking at metal, but I don't want it to rus
T and I don't want to get it powder coated.

you could just paint it and put rubber feet under it (hockey pucks, cut them to the size of the tubing and glue them to the bottom)

are you planing on using the space under the tank for sump space?

2x6's and 2x4's will be more then adequate for this size tank though depending how much opening you want in the front...2x6's will easily span 4' though, this tank has a huge foot print of nicely dispersed weight..supporting the weight is not the biggest concern in the design of the stand, as a couple 2x4's will support a tremendous amount of weight (2 and 3 story houses have been built with 2x4's for years) racking, twisting and torsion are the enemies, and these factors are only amplified with the height of the stand...a solid 3/4" ply with proper nails and glue will all that is needed to keep the tank ffrom twisting under waves etc..

Ok thanks I just ordered a 300 tank he cause it was half as cheap as the 500.

did I read that right, 48" deep? with these dimensions this is going to be one bad a$$ tank... i just read your last post that you decided to go with the 300gallon. Whats the dimension of this one? How high do you want your stand to be? Are you going to run the skimmer underneath the tank or in another room?

Pen

I was going to go with the 500 but I did decided to go with the 375 instead same length and height just 3 feet instead of 4 . It will fit where I'm putting it a lot better.

Stand will be 36 inches and I will have a skimmer underneath of it I can t wait for it to come in.

For an 8' long tank, you either need to make a plywood sandwiched beam (door header), use more than one board running the length of the tank, or use a center leg.

SO, the simplest way is to use a center leg. If the leg is exactly in the center, for a 375g tank the upper frame can be made from 2X6. Only if you offset the leg beyond a 60" opening do you need to go up to a 2X8. The legs can stay 2X4.

RocketEngineer

Thank you

there are many post on here that you can use to make your stand out of wood. 4x4 post and 2x6 beams will work. i made my 6 post out of triple 2x4 to make 4x6, glued and screwed. i also used 2x8 for the beams, glued and lag bolted to the other beams and bolted to the 4x6... this will hold up a house. like ive been told on here, "remember that a normal house is made up of 2x4 and nails" my house survived 80 to 90 miles per hours winds from hurrican charlie. just look around and you'll find and world of information. i have been told that my stand can hold 4 times the weight im going to have.

Thanks for the help I won't use 4/4 be cause I have been told they're no good for aquariums.

Unless you, your Dad, an older friend or a relative is an experienced carpenter or you plan on hiring a skilled carpenter, you will end up with a broken tank if the stand does not perfectly distribute and support the weight of the tank, water, sand and rock.

As young as you are, don't try to build this on your own.

ive been told the same, thats why i went with the three 2x4's to make a 4x6. if its not clear. think of this 2x4 to 2x4 ][ = 4x4 then face the two with another 2x4. =l ,,, now you have a 4x6 glued and screwed that has the streangh of a 6x6 or more timber. can 8 of these hold your tank? i would think so but i am no engineer. maybee rocket will back me up on this one?

going to put the pic on my album now. hope this help.

Attachment 183942

here are the post i made. on your tank 8 of these should done just fine. but like i said before
"im no engineer".

My grand father who is a carpenter will be helping me with this. I like the post.

It is good to hear that your Grandfather will be helping you.

Hey Insane, Good to know that you are still vertical.
John

I have ordered up the wood and will be gin building shortly.

Who is building the tank?

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Good luck on the build.