Diy stand
- Thread starter sergifed91
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fishyjoes
Active Member
I have never built a stand for a tank that large, but I think either would be sufficient. I think even 1" boards could work just fine as long as you had a good design and construction technique.
I've seen videos where they make the whole thing out of 3/4" plywood for fairly large tanks (don't remember the size)
Edit: found a link to the video I was thinking about (plywood)
I've seen videos where they make the whole thing out of 3/4" plywood for fairly large tanks (don't remember the size)
Edit: found a link to the video I was thinking about (plywood)
ScottJ
Well-Known Member
Well, bigger is sometimes better, but I think the design is what is really important. You can build a stand out of 2x4's if you do it right.
That said, 2x6's, built with a good plan, would work.
That said, 2x6's, built with a good plan, would work.
twentyleagues
2500 Club Member
I have double stacked 125g tanks I used 2x6s for the horizontal and 2x4 for the verticals. Been good for over 5 years. I used the 2x6s because there is no center vertical brace. It does matter how you put it together too, no weight should ever be on the screws all weight should be passed through the wood to the floor. I used screws and wood glue at all attachment points.
ShakeyGizzard
RedNeck Member
This stand was for a 40 breeder, the 2x4 in the corners go to the floor. The weight is carried by these boards. The others between them give support
Labridaedicted
Wrassetastic
Here's my 180 stand. It's overbuilt, but solid as a rock.
It's all 2x4 except the top box. I was concerned about potential sag over time, so I opted for 2x8s to frame it out. Then put 3/4" cabinet ply on top and finished with a marine epoxy to ensure it would outlast the tank.
It's all 2x4 except the top box. I was concerned about potential sag over time, so I opted for 2x8s to frame it out. Then put 3/4" cabinet ply on top and finished with a marine epoxy to ensure it would outlast the tank.
Dom
Full Time Reef Keeper
This stand was for a 40 breeder, the 2x4 in the corners go to the floor. The weight is carried by these boards. The others between them give support
Nice... but it looks like overkill for a 40 gallon breeder.
Paul B
10K Club member
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Rock Pool Reef Keepers
I built the stand for my 125 out of 2X4s but I used redwood because it is strong and doesn't warp as much as pine or most other woods. I also used "hot dipped galvanized" hardware because screws will rust badly unless you use deck screws but lag bolts or carriage bolts, bolted through are the strongest thing you could use.
I used 4X4s for the uprights.
I purposely built it strong using only one piece of wood because I didn't want to sandwich any boards as water that gets in between boards will stay there forever and cause mold and rot.
I have been a commercial and industrial construction electrician in Manhattan for 45 years and built many things that had to be strong and water resistant.
The tops of the uprights are chamfered so the rails rest on them rather than just bolted to them.
It's bolted and glued with waterproof glue.
I used 4X4s for the uprights.
I purposely built it strong using only one piece of wood because I didn't want to sandwich any boards as water that gets in between boards will stay there forever and cause mold and rot.
I have been a commercial and industrial construction electrician in Manhattan for 45 years and built many things that had to be strong and water resistant.
The tops of the uprights are chamfered so the rails rest on them rather than just bolted to them.
It's bolted and glued with waterproof glue.
ShakeyGizzard
RedNeck Member
It was, but I already had the 2x4 on hand. turned out great retro style and its 36 inches tall.
