Need basic carpentry help for building my own stand

[glb]

Hi everyone. I'm planning to build this stand for my 40g breeder

I already have the measurements according to the directions and plan to get the 2x4's cut at the lumber store. I'm very handy but I've never built furniture before. I know the cuts need to be accurate and the stand needs to be level. I also know that screws should not be placed where they'll be load-bearing. I have a good drill/bits and know how stain wood. What are some other tips that could make my life easier? In what order should I assemble it? Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[inetjnky]

Assemble the top and bottom first. (Red/yellow and brown/blue. The attach green to both. Then add the pink.

 

[Lynn52]

Glue everything before you screw it together. The pink uprights carry the weight the green uprights are more to hold it all in place. I have made several of these stands and they go together pretty fast. What size tank are you going to put on it?

 

[Windy]

First sentence...............40 gal breeder.

 

[glb]

So when I assemble the top and bottom, those screws go in horizontally? Also, what wood glue do you recommend?

 

[glb]

What size screws do you recommend, and should I drill pilot holes?

 

[Jwalker814]

Pilot holes always help just make sure u do the right size. Maybe even countersink them.

 

[Jwalker814]

Any wood glue or liquid nails would work.
And yes I would either go sideways (red to yellow) or toenail the screws.

As for length atleast 2.5" and I would get deck screws

 

[rayn]

Think of it this way. A 40 will weigh 320 just with water. Add in the rock work and say 400.

Build it to hold more then that. Build it to hold you and your whole family standing on it.

Glue and screw, never nail. Use screws resistant to weather. I use 2 1/2 usually and pred tilling can help keep them from splitting. 1/8" bit is good there.

 

[Jwalker814]

Also too, I know it's just a 40g but for a little better piece of mind I would add vertical center braces in the middle. Will also give u another place to attach exterior finish to

 

[ermartin]

I like to use pocket hole screws

 

[glb]

Pilot holes always help just make sure u do the right size. Maybe even countersink them.

What does countersink mean? Lol

 

[glb]

Any wood glue or liquid nails would work.
And yes I would either go sideways (red to yellow) or toenail the screws.

As for length atleast 2.5" and I would get deck screws

What does toenail the screws mean? I'm a real novice here!

 

[glb]

Also too, I know it's just a 40g but for a little better piece of mind I would add vertical center braces in the middle. Will also give u another place to attach exterior finish to

Thanks. If I do that, I won't be able to take the sump out once it's built because it's a 20g long. Is that a problem?

 

[Jwalker814]

Where the head of the screw is below the surface of the wood.

 

[BetURWrasse]

not to pump my own build but I have photos of my stand build at the link below. Also measure everything at least twice and check and recheck level before you permanently attach.

move the stand to the area it will finally rest at and check level again before it gets to heavy so you can make adjustments.

 

[Jwalker814]

Every little thing can tweak the level of the stand. They weight of the tank. Water. Rocks. Substrate. Check and check and check again.
If u build the stand square you shouldn't have a problem. $1 at Walmart - deck of cards as shims will make it work if not.
Just make final level check after u add rock n substrate.

 

[jerseypete]

I would buy the kreg pocket hole jig. The set cost me like 80 bucks and helped me alot.

this was my first attempt at making a stand and it came out much better than I thought it would. It helps tremendously.

 

[Doc Holiday]

You built that stand to hold a car! Not that there is anything wrong with that. It amazes me what the tank manufactures build as their stands... structurally their design is sound, but I'm much to rough on my tanks to make me feel comfortable with buying a tank stand in store. Esp. with kids climbing on it. The most important stand designed is to make sure its level! It could be overbuilt but if its out of level enough the tank will fail. I've had to tanks fail in my early years in this hobby not knowing any better.

 

[TryingToLearn]

Very easy man. Just built me one today..
Will be adding cabinets tomorrow..