35G cube stand strong enough?

[Jonreefer]

So every time I make a stand I always doubt the hell out of myself.
I made this one for the 35G cube 20x20x20 tank. The entire thing is made from 1x4 boards
as you can see in the photos the one side is the bare frame and the other shows the boards to skin the front of the stand. there are doors on the side to access the 10g sump.
the top is 2 1x12 boards cut to size and screwed down around the parameter and then 2 metal plates to tie the center together.
the tank itself is about 1.5" wider than the frame under the tank. Since I made these photos I have added a 3rd board on each corner. so there is the inner 1x4 then a compression board that is sitting between the top and bottom frame and then a 3rd board on the outside. I also added a cross brace on the rear that goes left to right for a little more stability from any twisting.
Should I worry about anything since its only a 35G tank?

top2 by jon duboy, on Flickr
top1 by jon duboy, on Flickr
front 1 by jon duboy, on Flickr
bottom by jon duboy, on Flickr
back1 by jon duboy, on Flickr

 

[Jonreefer]

here is the tank sitting in the room.

 

[Nick.B]

I'm confused. What size are the green boards and what size are the tan boards?

You need to support 301lbs of water plus rock and coral so call it 400lbs. I'm assuming worst case your using white pine lumber which has a maximum compression of 223psi perpendicular to the grain when wet (again assuming worst case scenario). It looks like those are 1x4's and there are 8. So the pressure exerted on your boards right now is 19.047 psi. Well under that 223 psi max. This assumes you're preventing them from bending and shearing from the weight also.

 

[don_chuwish]

I probably would have constructed it differently but I think you're fine. Nice looking cube and aquascape!

 

[Jonreefer]

yea everything is 1x4 boards
I guess my biggest concern is the top. being 2 1x12 boards cut to length and screwed into the top frame around the perimeter and then 2 metal plates in the center connecting them together. so that extra about 1.5" the tank is sitting beyond the actual frame under on the top boards is no issue.

 

[Nick.B]

It will be fine . If you want to test it, take the tank off and stack sandbags on a wooden perimeter.

 

[Jonreefer]

i made myself feel better. I went and got a piece of plywood cut 3/4" and placed it under the top so now its doubled up. So I assume it should be plenty strong now

thanks

 

[Greybeard]

Looked plenty strong to me. A 35g tank isn't really that much of a load.

 

[Jonreefer]

thanks. hearing others say it looks fine makes me feel better.