Does it need a middle braced?

Casey Gore · Mar 30, 2019

Hi I am building a stand for a 120 gallon that is 4x2x2.
The stand is 4ft long 2ft wide and 3.5 feet tall.
I am using the 2 by 4 method with 3 on the corners for support. I have not put them on the back side yet. However my question is does this need a middle support or is it fine?
This is just my first stand building and im nervous.

jtl · Mar 30, 2019

Nope.

Fotocha · Mar 30, 2019

Well if your concerned about being able to distribute the weight you could consider bracing the cleats.

Cut a few 2 inch strips from 3/4” plywood if you have left over pieces or whatever else you have will work.

Miter cut them to a 45 degree angle then flip and cut the other end to make a triangle. Use a nail gun in each corner and use a heavy amount of wood glue. Wipe with a wet rag to clean off excess. Nails hold (don’t use framing nails), but the glue is the key to sturdyness.

Here some examples

BestMomEver · Mar 30, 2019

I would say no for a front brace. I would consider one in the back though.

cracker · Mar 30, 2019

How heavy will the tank be loaded with water & rock? Should be fine. If you wanted to be real sure ,replace the front horizontal 2 by 4 with 2 by 6.

jsvand5 · Mar 30, 2019

May not be necessary, but if it were me I’d put one in the front and back. I’d make the front brace easily removable for installing the sump .

Casey Gore · Mar 30, 2019

cracker said:
How heavy will the tank be loaded with water & rock? Should be fine. If you wanted to be real sure ,replace the front horizontal 2 by 4 with 2 by 6.

about 1500lbs

JoshH · Mar 30, 2019

Ahhh thanks for the thread, For a brief moment in time I was doubting my diy stand holding my 125. And now I'm not concerned even in the slightest

Although I do have a center brace on mine, mostly for looks but I made it structural because I could.

cracker · Mar 30, 2019

I thank it's ok as is. 4 ft run Ok with a little more work Another 2by 4 under screwed in to the legs just to be safe.

Casey Gore · Mar 30, 2019

JoshH said:
Ahhh thanks for the thread, For a brief moment in time I was doubting my diy stand holding my 125. And now I'm not concerned even in the slightest

Although I do have a center brace on mine, mostly for looks but I made it structural because I could.

wait what does that mean

JoshH · Mar 30, 2019

Casey Gore said:
wait what does that mean

We have roughly the same size tank volume wise although mines a foot longer. I made my stand out of 3/4" Plywood, I have a middle brace but it's original intention was to match the trim on the opposite side of the tank and separate the shelving from the control panel(Looks). It wasn't going to be reinforced but I doubled it up anyway to make it more structural because I had some spare plywood.

I was originally worried even all that was questionable but now after reading this and a few other threads, I feel like my stands rather.... overbuilt...