Almost out of time with stand/canopy plans!

[SallyWho]

I've been doodling around with stand plans for months and have posted a few threads before, but the friend and miter saw I'm borrowing are going to be here on Tuesday to build this thing, so I've got to finalize this ASAP! I'm beyond hopeless with Sketchup, so we'll have to make do with regular sketches. They're not exactly drawn to scale, but hopefully it'll be enough to give you the jist. Please let me know if any of this is stupid and won't work.

Quick rundown: The tank is a 4x2x2' 120g, and the stand will measure 6' long, 30" wide, and 36" tall. Top frame will be 2x6s, with the front boards sistered for extra support (since the front of the tank won't be resting directly on the front of the stand) The joists will be 2x4s, hung flush with the top frame by joist hangers. There will be joists underneath the edges of the tank, and vertical braces underneath those in the back, so the tank itself will be well supported. One vertical brace in the front. Everything besides the top frame is 2x4s. The canopy height is tbd, depending how how high I decide I want my lights. The front face will have two doors opening outward for quick access, and the front third or so will lift entirely out of the way via hinges on top. There will be vent fans, too, but I haven't decided where I want them.

Thoughts? I appreciate any input!

 

[RobZilla04]

Sistered 2x6's in the corners are probably overkill. If it helps you sleep at night, go for it. FWIW my 90g is supported by sistered 2x4's in each corner and a 2x4 center brace in front and back.

I would however, ensure the corner supports are underneath the corner of the tank. NOT way out on the ends of the 72" long stand.

Suggested reading: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/idocs-first-reef-tank-build-75g.317135/

 

[SallyWho]

The only sistered boards are the 2x6s at the front of the top frame (horizontal), and the 2x4s directly under them in the front (vertical). All the edges of the tank are well supported- the back edge resting the the stand's back edge of the frame, and a joist each under both sides. There will be a 3" space between the front edge of the tank and the sistered 2x6s, but since the joists supporting the sides go all the way to the front of the stand, and the front edge is well reinforced, I figured that would be okay. There's going to be plywood under the tank itself anyway.

To steal an image from @don_chuwish that he mocked up for me real quick, this is sort of what I'm talking about.

Speaking of which, do you have any further input @don_chuwish? Or @Brew12? I know you guys had a lot of good advice for me on me last thread! This should hopefully be the last go-round on this.

 

[mrpizzaface]

The only sistered boards are the 2x6s at the front of the top frame (horizontal), and the 2x4s directly under them in the front (vertical). All the edges of the tank are well supported- the back edge resting the the stand's back edge of the frame, and a joist each under both sides. There will be a 3" space between the front edge of the tank and the sistered 2x6s, but since the joists supporting the sides go all the way to the front of the stand, and the front edge is well reinforced, I figured that would be okay. There's going to be plywood under the tank itself anyway.

To steal an image from @don_chuwish that he mocked up for me real quick, this is sort of what I'm talking about.

Speaking of which, do you have any further input @don_chuwish? Or @Brew12? I know you guys had a lot of good advice for me on me last thread! This should hopefully be the last go-round on this.

I think your plan for the canopy seems fine. If I were you and planning a stand using dimensional lumber I would look up rocket engineers design on google image search. You should find a mechanical drawing with the lumber being color coded in primary and secondary colors. It is a basic layout using 2-4’s. For a 6 foot stand he substitutes 2-6’s for the top frame only and 2-4’s for the rest. This is a time tested and proven design, and simple enough for anyone to do.

Good luck

 

[WVNed]

The stand does not need to be 10 times stronger than the floor under it.

 

[SallyWho]

I think your plan for the canopy seems fine. If I were you and planning a stand using dimensional lumber I would look up rocket engineers design on google image search. You should find a mechanical drawing with the lumber being color coded in primary and secondary colors. It is a basic layout using 2-4’s. For a 6 foot stand he substitutes 2-6’s for the top frame only and 2-4’s for the rest. This is a time tested and proven design, and simple enough for anyone to do.

Good luck

Yeah, his design is fantastic! I based most of my plans off of his design.

The stand does not need to be 10 times stronger than the floor under it.

I'm over-building it because the stand is bigger than the tank it's on. I want to be sure the weight of the tank will be secure without each tank corner resting directly on a stand corner. Also, if/when I decide to upgrade, I'll already have a stand that can support a tank with a 72 x 30" footprint!

P.S. And because I'm a Nervous Nellie, the floor joists under the tank have been reinforced as well.

 

[Billdogg]

The stand does not need to be 10 times stronger than the floor under it.

This made me LOL OUTLOUD! and is so very true. 99.9% of DIY stands are way overbuilt. The other .1% fail within the first couple days so we never hear about them.

Your plans are fine. Sure, it will be incredibly overbuilt. If it allows you to sleep at night, I say GREAT!

p.s. - Don't forget to line up a few strong friends when you try to move it into place - it's gonna way a LOT!!!