DIY stand

[redfishbluefish]

Red, where do you live?? I've moved since I last updated my info. I live in Sewell now

I'm in Sayreville.....I'd guess about an hour an a half away from you.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I'm in Sayreville.....I'd guess about an hour an a half away from you.

Yeah that's a lil far just to cut some wood haha.. do you have any insight on what I just said about the measurements?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes, you are correct. Dimensional lumber is always 1/2 inch smaller than what it's called.....it was removed when they "finished" the lumber. So a 2 x 4 actually measures 1 1/2 by 3 1/2. Adjust your measurements accordingly. As far as your height, I'm assuming this is a 40B???? I always make my stands higher.....but note, I am 6 foot tall. Most my stands are 40 inches tall. The lower stands are great if you're sitting, but if you're standing, they are low.

 

[JoshH]

2x4s milled are actually 1.5" x 3.5". these will be what you will purchase so you need to adjust your measurements accordingly, and red beat me to it lol

 

[Sobo's Reef]

It's actually gonna be a Deep Blue 57g, tank measures 36x18x20

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Are 2 1/2" wood screws long enough?

 

[John Holbrook]

Gotcha! Thanks for the heads up guys!! I completely forgot about the plywood for inside the stand as well! Glad I said something even tho we all know multiple trips to the hardware store is always imminent [emoji23][emoji23]

this is a little less the 2 sheets to skin, it also has open sides and back. This is a 265g tank

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Yeah I'm not sure why I thought I'd need that many sheets lol I'm thinking I'll be okay with 2 of em

 

[John Holbrook]

Yeah I'm not sure why I thought I'd need that many sheets lol I'm thinking I'll be okay with 2 of em

It's alright. You're new at building and, you're asking good questions. You'll come out looking good when you're done.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Thanks! I hope so!

 

[John Holbrook]

Thanks! I hope so!

No such thing as a stupid question, we're here to help. And think positive

 

[Steve McGlamery]

Here are pictures of my stand. I used pocket screws and I put silicone in the open screw holes. Make sure you leave room to get the sump out in the future in case something happens.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Well I went out to Lowes today. Got a bunch of 2x4's cut up.. everything is pretty good to be honest. I started building it but now I'm seeing that I need to make this stand deeper. I didn't take into acct how much room the pillars would take up inside the stand. My plan was to put a 34x15x15 sump in there but now with the bulky pillars I only have 13.75" to work with and I don't like that.. this is as far as I got plus 2 more pillars

From where the first pillar is set up, everything to the right of that is gonna be for the tank. The other little section on the left side is going to be a separate cabinet for my controller and other electronics i don't want near water

 

[John Holbrook]

Well I went out to Lowes today. Got a bunch of 2x4's cut up.. everything is pretty good to be honest. I started building it but now I'm seeing that I need to make this stand deeper. I didn't take into acct how much room the pillars would take up inside the stand. My plan was to put a 34x15x15 sump in there but now with the bulky pillars I only have 13.75" to work with and I don't like that.. this is as far as I got plus 2 more pillars

From where the first pillar is set up, everything to the right of that is gonna be for the tank. The other little section on the left side is going to be a separate cabinet for my controller and other electronics i don't want near water

That's an easy fix, just make you pieces that are on the floor longer. I don't know if you thought about that, but it's coming along

 

[moseley75]

I'm calling a time out!

You might wish to reassess your ability to build your own....between your skill level and now seeing that you live in a condo/apartment. I own a house and do all my plywood cutting outside...will you be able to do that. If you do decide to go forward, you mentioned you had a circular saw. I would make the cuts yourself using a speed square on dimensional lumber and a straight edge that clamped to the plywood to cut the plywood.

The speed square can be had at Harbor Freight for a couple bucks:

HF doesn't have the long cutting guide, but HD has one for about $20:

and HERE's the link to that cutting guide.


Both of these tools will make sure your circular saw cuts are straight.

Remember, measure twice and cut once!


Saw horses would also make the job a bit easier.


And one final note....I see you live in NJ. If you wish to bring your wood over, I'd cut it for you....although I believe Blackwood is pretty far down south.....so far down south, I don't know were it is. Do you guys speak with an accent?

Good advice.

All y'all speak w/ an accent! LOL!

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Yeah looks like I'll need to make the pieces going front to back slightly longer... everything else is good!

 

[rioreef]

Post #2 said to use deck screws. I am no expert but I believe the shear strength of a deck screw compared to a standard wood screw is different. Unless you have notched your main supports, I would never use a 'deck' screw to carry loads of weight.

 

[jtl]

So I'm gonna attempt to build my own stand but I've never done this before. Off the top of your head, what items should I be picking up? I have some tools at my house(drill, jigsaw, circular saw, screwdrivers, level, etc etc) but as far as glue, hardware and wood/finishes go, I'm unsure. Like I said, first time doing this so bare with me lol

Here is the one I recently built. I used birch 3/4" plywood and no 2x4's.

 

[Steve McGlamery]

Post #2 said to use deck screws. I am no expert but I believe the shear strength of a deck screw compared to a standard wood screw is different. Unless you have notched your main supports, I would never use a 'deck' screw to carry loads of weight.

I used lag bolts on the main structure and long woo screws on the rest of the frame.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I'm noticing now that 2 of my larger 2x4s going vertical are slightly twisted so the top won't fit smoothly. Is it wise to replace these boards or will it be okay once everything is screwed in together??