Can I trust my stand?

[InvaderJim]

Building a stand for my new tank, Seapora 80g(48"x24") and initially planned on following @RocketEngineer 's instructions exactly. Ended up trying something different but now I'm second guessing it. Built the stand slighty larger and created an inner lip for the tank to sit on to hide the bottom rim, but now my concern is with there being nothing supporting it. A few people I've talked to seem to think it will be a non-issue, but none of them own tanks. The inner lip is held in with several 3" decking screws which are rated for a lot of weight but with the tank being over 800lbs I don't want really want to risk it. Can I trust it? Or should I scrap it and start over?

 

[Webslinger]

I would of used 2x6 for the top beams with that span. Put another stud in the middle at least on the back side.

 

[George Lopez]

All the weight is on the screws and not transferred directly to the floor so i wouldn't trust it. Either set wood going to the floor from your spot or just do what i did and used my face material to hide my lower plastic brace.

Just looked closer... your planning on supporting all of your tanks weight on 1x1? Even if it is glued and screwed i wouldn't trust that inner frame for that tank.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I think if you build the stand like a jumbo jet, but then your 'lip' modification like a paper airplane, that defeated the original design purpose (sorry to say).

 

[Squidward]

Looks sturdy enough for that size tank. You only need the center brace if your tank is 6ft or longer. I've seen manufactured stands look flimsy compared to yours.

 

[Cell]

Seems like a lot of work to have to start over. I'd consider adding a crossbeam or two and topping it off with a nice piece of wood.

 

[Brian_68]

If the screws were placed vertical they may not hold that weight especially in pine. They may just pull out.

 

[InvaderJim]

If the screws were placed vertical they may not hold that weight especially in pine. They may just pull out.

The screws are all horizontal in the inner lip.

All the weight is on the screws and not transferred directly to the floor so i wouldn't trust it. Either set wood going to the floor from your spot or just do what i did and used my face material to hide my lower plastic brace.

Just looked closer... your planning on supporting all of your tanks weight on 1x1? Even if it is glued and screwed i wouldn't trust that inner frame for that tank.

That’s what I was thinking. The weight transfer is no longer correct so it would likely be putting all the weight on the screws. Looking like I’m going to have to rebuild it.

 

[Beau_B]

Don’t scrap it... you can add more material. Is the lip glued in?

Take the lip out, make a new inner frame of 2x4s and set it on additional uprights in the corner, where the orange hi lighter is. Essentially a stand within a stand.

It would probably work as is, but I agree the smaller material with screws makes me concerned about cracking and tear out.

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Have no clue about the weight- but I respect your DIY abilities I chose such a lame alternative just 7 concrete slabs on either side with a worktop across the top. Tank is 5ft

 

[SandJ]

No, I would not trust the lip to support the tank since there are no supports in under the lips.

You can build the stand according to the instructions and still get the look you want. So the tank will sit on top of the stand, then when you skin the stand you will put a 1x2/1x3/1x4 board of your choice around the top as your trim. The board will stick up how ever far you want above the tank bottom.

Here is a photo I found of what I am describing. It is just the first one I found, but there are a few different ways you can make it look.

 

[Bryknicks]

I wouldn't rebuild. I would remove the inner lip, and replace with 6 vertical 2x4's (one in each corner and one in the middle of the back and the front) to transfer the load to the floor and then use a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of the 2x4's as a shelf for the tank. This will keep your plan of hiding the tank lip and give you the proper support for the tank. Don't over think this and good luck!

 

[InvaderJim]

Don’t scrap it... you can add more material. Is the lip glued in?

Take the lip out, make a new inner frame of 2x4s and set it on additional uprights in the corner, where the orange hi lighter is. Essentially a stand within a stand.

It would probably work as is, but I agree the smaller material with screws makes me concerned about cracking and tear out.

Sounds like a great idea. It will be heavy but at least I'll be able to sleep at night. Thanks for all the replies!

 

[George Lopez]

Don’t scrap it... you can add more material. Is the lip glued in?

Take the lip out, make a new inner frame of 2x4s and set it on additional uprights in the corner, where the orange hi lighter is. Essentially a stand within a stand.

It would probably work as is, but I agree the smaller material with screws makes me concerned about cracking and tear out.

I agree with this train of thought, replace the 1x1 with 2x4 and put uprights basically making a stand within a stand if you don't feel like tearing it all apart. If you do test it apart then just make a regular stand and ad the facade to cover your lip like this

 

[Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef]

I wouldn't rebuild. I would remove the inner lip, and replace with 6 vertical 2x4's (one in each corner and one in the middle of the back and the front) to transfer the load to the floor and then use a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of the 2x4's as a shelf for the tank. This will keep your plan of hiding the tank lip and give you the proper support for the tank. Don't over think this and good luck!

Yep, that's prob the easiest and best way to do it

 

[Joeg]

@Beau_B 's suggestion is spot on. It allows you to keep everything you'd done for work and materials. You'll likely have to pull the stand bottom panel up to make sure the inner stand is touching the floor unless you could flip it over and add another 2x4 from underneath.

I'd like to say that I'm one for overbuilding but I'm also the guy who had to rent a stair climbing dolly to get the stand I built from the basement to the first floor. In this case I think adding on to what you have is a good use of materials and effort already spent. Good luck~

 

[Apotack]

Are the pieces spanning the top opening pressure treated? If so they should be replaced. Too much risk of the chemicals getting Into your water

 

[Bam327]

I personally wouldn’t trust it. I would look at it this way. You’re probably planning on running your tank for a minimum of several years, and you probably know this hobby is not a cheap one. One of the least expensive parts of your build is going to be the wood used to make the frame of your stand. Why risk this part? When you have XX or XXX gallons of water in it with thousands of dollars invested in live stock, equipment and your tank itself, not to mention the damage that would occur to your house with that amount of water on the floor, wouldn’t you want to rest easy at night knowing that all that isn’t resting on a few screws? Just my $.02

 

[PepperDeath]

Hey! where did you get your 80 gal seapora tank? I’m looking for the exact one