Another DIY stand question...oversize stand for 40B

[timrocks311]

I've been without a tank for a long time and my wife finally gave me the go ahead to set up another tank...although, I don't think she realized she has. After working on her, she said to start making a stand and then we'll talk. I take that as the good to go!

So I have a new 40B and a 29 with some baffles already for a sump. 40B is roughly 36x18. I want an oversized stand 48x24 to allow plenty of room for the sump and storage underneath. My problem, is the tank doesn't rest on the outer supports of the stand.

I attached two sketches of a stand frame looking top down. There are additional vertical supports at the corners that are not shown. The top sketch would be the traditional layout, but the front of the tank doesn't land on the front support of the stand. I'm a bit worried about this. The only was around this I can think is to put another one in like the bottom sketch. I'm not sure I like this though. The vertical supports for this additional beam would kind of be floating out there. I'd have to beef up that corner some more.

Any ideas on how to do this better? Or should I even be that concerned about it?

Thanks!

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

With a 40B, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I went the same route as you, only 44" instead of 48. But I did put braces in where the tank will sit.

 

[timrocks311]

I see what you did. That size stand could still work very nicely with what I have. Thank you! I might just build that exact same thing.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Be careful on you sump section. I meant to mount those inner braces going up and down going the other direction...
If that makes sense.
I robbed myself 3 inches of sump space.

 

[timrocks311]

Be careful on you sump section. I meant to mount those inner braces going up and down going the other direction...
If that makes sense.
I robbed myself 3 inches of sump space.

do you mean the braces on the bottom for the sump floor, or the vertical supports in the corners?

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

do you mean the braces on the bottom for the sump floor, or the vertical supports in the corners?

I mean the vertical ones beneath the cross braces for where the stand actually sits.

The whole thing is solid as a rock how it is, and I still have 30+ inches under there, but I think I'd been aiming for 36, which I would have had otherwise.

All in all, it works great though.

Perhaps you can go 48x 24, do 2x4 vertical braces up how I did, and maybe 2x6 or 2x8 cross braces over top, and you could have a monstrous sump area!!

 

[timrocks311]

I think you'd have more issues doing it that way. Wouldn't your bracing on top (where your tank sides sit) sit kind of halfway on the vertical? Unless you turned it, but then you'd have to shrink your stand width.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

If you were going to go that way, I would mount the vertical braces the way they are in my picture, then with the wider braces on top, nail them in from the face where they overhang. ( I nailed mine in from both faces)

A 16 penny nail will hold 300 pounds sheer force.

 

[timrocks311]

Gotcha! thanks for your help.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Gotcha! thanks for your help.

Not a problem, best of luck, post a picture of what you make!

 

[timrocks311]

Just an update on what I did for my stand. 2x4 frame mostly. 3/4" top. I made the bottom 2x3 with 1/2" plywood to gain a bit more space underneath. I've started trimming it and need to figure out the doors still.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Just an update on what I did for my stand. 2x4 frame mostly. 3/4" top. I made the bottom 2x3 with 1/2" plywood to gain a bit more space underneath. I've started trimming it and need to figure out the doors still.

Looks pretty nice!