DIY stand stability question - will this work

afamousjohnson · Feb 15, 2015

So I need to whip up a quick stand for a 5' X 16" X 20" acrylic holding tank. Didn't want to put any $ into it so I started looking around the house. It is for temporary use and not long term as of now. Moving so breaking my 90g down and putting it in this tank as a holding tank for 3-4 months.

Saw my makeshift work bench in the garage and decided to re work it a bit around the legs to add a Lil more support. It is 2x4 and plywood. The work bench was 24" so I put legs at 16" as well to support the corners of the tank along with a frame under the plywood on top screwed into the legs that covers all edges of the tank. Put cross beams under also to help spread support.

I am worried about the legs - I plan on putting a 2 X 4 in the back a crossed the base from each leg connecting the 2 and another the same way mid way up each of the same back legs.
think this will work and keep the legs from folding?

afamousjohnson · Feb 15, 2015

Here it is a bit finished up. I have yet to put the back two supports on connecting the legs

Scoly · Feb 15, 2015

Dude you better get packing!

afamousjohnson · Feb 15, 2015

Scoly said:
Dude you better get packing!

Haha - ya that is a whole nother project in itself - that's why I'm trying to get this tank business out of the way. Was the same thing Kendra said when she saw the post - but she was more like whoa messy garage.lol

hummer · Feb 16, 2015

I would put 45 degree brackets in so incase there is side to side movements like someone leaning on it

redfishbluefish · Feb 16, 2015

That stand will work just fine with two additions:

1. As mentioned, either 45's to keep the legs from simply tipping over...or cross bracing.

2. Right now the screws support the top portion of the stand. Need to add supports that transfer the weight directly to the floor. In this picture, you need to add at least one purple brace to each leg.

afamousjohnson · Feb 16, 2015

Ya I was hoping to get around adding anymore leg support but I was thinking the same thing as above was needed. Will prolly do the 2 back a crossed braces and add 45's in back from top of stand down to legs for side to side stability

afamousjohnson · Feb 16, 2015

My stand looks exactly like that build minus the purple leg supports and the base frame(also orange but will be adding my orange to back of stand only) my green ones tho go all the way up and the plywood top sits directly on them. The tank has no rim there for the bottom is flat And sits flush acrossed.
so won't that act as my load bearing legs as long as I can't stable them out from folding in or out? They do transfer any contact of tank with them straight to the floor.