DIY Stands Template and Calculator

[bigdave438]

JonezNReef thank you,,i read that from the first page but i wanted to make sure before i got started...i am almost done with the complete remodeling of my basement just for this tank build...thanks again

[JonezNReef]

No problem I am making a stand for my 180 and didn't want to use a center support either and plan on using a 2x8

[bigdave438]

Originally Posted by JonezNReef

No problem I am making a stand for my 180 and didn't want to use a center support either and plan on using a 2x8

i also plan on building a 125 gallon sump 5' long to place inside the stand, center support would have been in the way. i am so eager to get started...lol...but the basement work gotta get done first and it feels like an eternity

[JonezNReef]

Yea I am super eager to get mine going. Mine is a little more challenging because I am going to have a 6' 180g tank with another 6' 180g tank below it. I am really hoping the stand will work out the way I hope. I'm not too worried because the old set up was a 180 on a 2x4 stand and it did fine. Of course that stand had center support too but worst case I can always get the lower tank in place and put a center support in if I feel it's necessary.
Also I have decided to go with 2x6 instead since I had about 15 12ft 2x6s given to me. I also plan on using truss hangers for extra support.

[bigdave438]

Originally Posted by JonezNReef

Yea I am super eager to get mine going. Mine is a little more challenging because I am going to have a 6' 180g tank with another 6' 180g tank below it. I am really hoping the stand will work out the way I hope. I'm not too worried because the old set up was a 180 on a 2x4 stand and it did fine. Of course that stand had center support too but worst case I can always get the lower tank in place and put a center support in if I feel it's necessary.
Also I have decided to go with 2x6 instead since I had about 15 12ft 2x6s given to me. I also plan on using truss hangers for extra support.

wow sounds very nice and looking forward to seeing the finish product...good luck..

[JonezNReef]

So far I have framed the wall for the tank and got it installed. I was also able to assemble the top of the stand and test fit it. Once I got it in place and seen it fit I got it leveled and measured for the legs since each leg will be a different length since it's going in the old garage converted to master bedroom which has a pitched floor.

[bigdave438]

nice...looks like alot of work in progress. are you building your own 180's ?

i am still in the building phase of my basement. it already was finished but had 1970's wood paneling. i gutted the entire basement and now i just finish studding the walls and cemented and waterproofed my foundation walls (Dryloc)..next up is to insulate, Sheetrock paint and moldings,electric and recessed light just been finished by electricians. then epoxy the cement floors the high gloss color the wife wants... then build her bar and banquette seating...once i am done with that list i can start the fun stuff my tank build..lol

[JonezNReef]

No the 180s are both stock Perfecto 6'x2'x2' tanks....nothing special. I just finished doing the electrical and drywall on the wall those tanks will be on. Now I need to tape and mud the wall and also paint the wall and stand before I install everything.
Here is my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2611735

[bigdave438]

Originally Posted by JonezNReef

No the 180s are both stock Perfecto 6'x2'x2' tanks....nothing special. I just finished doing the electrical and drywall on the wall those tanks will be on. Now I need to tape and mud the wall and also paint the wall and stand before I install everything.
Here is my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2611735

i am going to follow your build thread...thanks...i am thinking of starting a build thread once i finish the basement...the tank will be 6'x30"x30" with a sump 5'x24"x24" providing i get the space under my stand to fit the sump. size..

[Thornbreaker]

I'm doing an in-wall soon. My wife and I are building a house, so I intend to have the builders go ahead and construct the stand.

Going for a 5'x2'x2' glass with a 30-35 gal sump. (Probably SCA)
Will want the base of the tank at 40 to 42" from the floor.

Anyway, I know little about wood working. Can anyone help on what I need to provide my builders with so they'll have accurate info?

I want the tank to sit in the wall similar to what JoneZ is showing with the front pane sitting flush with the opening. I'm just not sure how to incorporate the open stand design Rocket is showing, and relay correct information. Are 2'x4' studs in the wall still fine so long as the rails on the stand are 2'x6' for a 5'x2' tank?

Also, what plywood thickness is recommended (or is it necessary?)

Thank y'all for your help. Any other tips would be appreciated too, since I have the opportunity to put what I want in.

[nogascans]

Originally Posted by Timmy03

Has anyone come across a stand build for a 155 bowfront?

Following. Need to build a replacement for my 90 corner bow front. Factory stand needs replacing and no room for much storage or possible sump.

My thoughts were to utilize a standard rectangular design with the 3/4" top deck sitting with the bow as an over hang. Skin it with front door/doors.

Sincerely,

David

[wesamazmy]

My 120g stand, still not fully completed

https://youtu.be/l0cN3fqwg94

[Saltine]

Base stand for my 180, haven't added trim or anything yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JonezNReef]

Very nice Saltine!!! That thing looks solid

[notenoughtanks]

Made this for my 40 breeder with Rocket's design and skinned it with poplar/etc and painted with Rustoleum Top Coat. Matching doors on both sides. It's 36x24x36 so allows for upgrade to a 65 or 90.

IMG_2505.jpg

[blazie151]

I was wondering if you could calculate the weight capacity of a stand for me. Top would be sandwiched 1x4s with a channel in each to make rabbit ears for the 1x4 legs to go in, down to the bottom which would be made nearly identical to the top. All wood would be premium pine (which is why I'm doing 1x4 instead of 2x4, the good pine and oak aren't made in 2x4s). Anyway, the design would be quite similar to this one. The plan is 48.5x18.5x32 for a 90 gallon glass aquarium and 40 gallon sump, no center legs. Display weight will be 160 for the tank, 90 in substrate, 60 in rocks and decorations, and 750 in water weight. Sump will be an additional 60, plus 40 in substrate and media, 330 in water, and 30 in rocks and decorations. So the stand needs to support about 1100lbs on the top, and 500 pounds inside on a 3/4in plywood bottom. I made a 30 gallon stand using your template and now want to make something a little more ornate for the living room display.

[stelliofleondis]

This is the stand I built using re design 48x18x41tallIMG_0002.jpg

[riksworld]

Hi all,

I would just like to double my stand with you all before I decided to built it as I am unsure to use either 2x6 or 2x8.

The tank will measure L 60 x W 30 x H 24, total volume would be 187.01G.

Should I be using the 2x6 or 2x8?

Red - Upper Rails: 2x6 or 2x8

Purple - Uprights: 2x6 or 2x8


Many thanks to all who reply's.

[JonezNReef]

If you don't want a middle leg in the front go with 2x8 and if your putting a leg in the front middle then 2x6

[RocketEngineer]

Originally Posted by riksworld

Hi all,

I would just like to double my stand with you all before I decided to built it as I am unsure to use either 2x6 or 2x8.

The tank will measure L 60 x W 30 x H 24, total volume would be 187.01G.

Should I be using the 2x6 or 2x8?

Red - Upper Rails: 2x6 or 2x8

Purple - Uprights: 2x6 or 2x8


Many thanks to all who reply's.

2X6 Top rails.

Everything else 2X4. Going bigger just wastes space and money.

[Salty150]

What about a 210 gallon 72" x 24" x 30"...?

[RocketEngineer]

Originally Posted by blazie151

I was wondering if you could calculate the weight capacity of a stand for me. Top would be sandwiched 1x4s with a channel in each to make rabbit ears for the 1x4 legs to go in, down to the bottom which would be made nearly identical to the top. All wood would be premium pine (which is why I'm doing 1x4 instead of 2x4, the good pine and oak aren't made in 2x4s). Anyway, the design would be quite similar to this one. The plan is 48.5x18.5x32 for a 90 gallon glass aquarium and 40 gallon sump, no center legs. Display weight will be 160 for the tank, 90 in substrate, 60 in rocks and decorations, and 750 in water weight. Sump will be an additional 60, plus 40 in substrate and media, 330 in water, and 30 in rocks and decorations. So the stand needs to support about 1100lbs on the top, and 500 pounds inside on a 3/4in plywood bottom. I made a 30 gallon stand using your template and now want to make something a little more ornate for the living room display.

Your weight calculations are off because you don't account for the water displaced by the sand and rocks. "Decorations" are for freshwater tanks . I use 10 pounds per gallon for the weight of the display and everything in it.

Based on a 1X4 which is actually 0.75" X 3.5" you are iffy for a 90g display. I would recommend you do what I did for my stand and build the frame out of 5/4 X 4 (yup, an actual lumber size). This is slightly thicker at a true 1" board width. I wouldn't do "rabbit ears" but instead recommend you use pocket screws to join the pieces together. This will ensure the weight of the display goes straight to the floor. The sump can be supported by a couple stringers hidden under the plywood.

[RocketEngineer]

Originally Posted by Salty150

What about a 210 gallon 72" x 24" x 30"...?

2X8 top with 2X4 for the rest, same as the original post states.

[BrettDS]

Originally Posted by Salty150

What about a 210 gallon 72" x 24" x 30"...?

I used 2x8's for the top frame and 2x4's for everything else on the stand I built for my 220 (with the same dimensions as your 210). It has no center legs and has been holding the tank for just under a year at this point.

[blazie151]

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

Your weight calculations are off because you don't account for the water displaced by the sand and rocks. "Decorations" are for freshwater tanks . I use 10 pounds per gallon for the weight of the display and everything in it.

Based on a 1X4 which is actually 0.75" X 3.5" you are iffy for a 90g display. I would recommend you do what I did for my stand and build the frame out of 5/4 X 4 (yup, an actual lumber size). This is slightly thicker at a true 1" board width. I wouldn't do "rabbit ears" but instead recommend you use pocket screws to join the pieces together. This will ensure the weight of the display goes straight to the floor. The sump can be supported by a couple stringers hidden under the plywood.

Ok, that should work. My local Lowe's doesn't have 5/4x4 but the local lumber yard might. I was going to double up the 1x4s on the top and bottom (effectively gluing and biscuit joining the 1x4s to make 2x4s) and cut a channel in them similar to rabbit ears so I could hide the cut marks on the legs and skin panels since I'm building with a circular instead of a miter saw. The channels would be for aesthetics not supports, only about 1/4 inch deep, and I was also planning on gluing everything with titebond 3 and using pocket screws for the legs. If I'm joining 1x4s on the top and bottom to make 2x4s should I still bump up to potentially much more expensive 5/4x4s?