Does a stand like this need a top to be stable?

glb · Apr 14, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Ya, that's the one I used for my 210g.

Yeah almost everyone uses it because it's a great plan.

jsker · Apr 14, 2016

On the stand the is shown, a top would be more to aesthetic than function.

glb · Apr 14, 2016

Cbenner said:
Looks great! You have plenty of vertical support. I suggest a top only when you're dealing with a tanks that are not framed in plastic or metal.
When there is no frame on the tank itself, a Plywood top and Styrofoam is the way to go. This prevents any pressure points on the bottom of the tank.

Mine is glass with a black plastic frame that totally supports the tank, so I'm good. I know with frameless and acrylic you can't do that.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 14, 2016

glb said:
Yeah almost everyone uses it because it's a great plan.

It's more solid than the rest of my home. If there's a large earthquake, it'll be the only thing standing.

glb · Apr 14, 2016

jsker said:
On the stand the is shown, a top would be more to aesthetic than function.

It won't even show. I'm building up around the black aquarium trim all the way around to cover it up. If I wasn't, you're right, it would look better with a top.

glb · Apr 14, 2016

You all are the best by the way. I couldn't be doing this build without all of your awesome advice.

glb · Apr 14, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
It's more solid than the rest of my home. If there's a large earthquake, it'll be the only thing standing.

My whole family could sit on mine.

cromag27 · Apr 14, 2016

No 2x4s were harmed in the making of this stand and canopy.

jsker · Apr 14, 2016

glb said:
It won't even show. I'm building up around the black aquarium trim all the way around to cover it up. If I wasn't, you're right, it would look better with a top.

cromag08 said:
No 2x4s were harmed in the making of this stand and canopy.

I like the lines of @cromag08 stand and with no top and do not put down a sub straight up will not need a light under your stand,

jsker · Apr 14, 2016

cromag08 said:
No 2x4s were harmed in the making of this stand and canopy.

That is a nice stand

Lynn52 · Apr 14, 2016

If it is a rimless tank I think you need a flat surface for the whole bottom to sit on.

glb · Apr 14, 2016

cromag08 said:
No 2x4s were harmed in the making of this stand and canopy.

That is beautiful!

redfishbluefish · Apr 14, 2016

Here's my two cents on a stand tops:

1. Dimensional lumber (2x4's, 2x6's, etc) are not the most stable of woods and can twist, warp, cup, etc. By putting on a plywood top (I use 3/4), it minimizes these issues of the dimensional wood on the tank.....and levels out the top. Now after saying that, a 40B is not that long and would be less likely to have an issue. Put the tank on the stand and see if you can slip a playing card between the tank frame and the stand. If you have minimal gaps, you're likely OK. I've seen tanks on similar stand designs where one corner of the tank has a 3/16 inch gap to the stand.

2. If you go bare bottom, light from the fuge will shine up through the DT without a plywood top.