Need basic carpentry help for building my own stand

[Lionfish Lair]

I followed those exact plans and it's supporting my 210g.

I'm trying to look back through and see if you have an unresolved questions that I could answer having built one. It was scary not having that center brace at first, but I think the stand is more solid than the rest of my house. If the "Big One" hits, it'll be the only thing left standing.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

 

[glb]

Very nice!!!!

 

[glb]

For those of you who used the plan in my OP, how did you finish the bottom of the stand? Did you use a jigsaw to cut a bottom panel? Did you put additional supports on the bottom to hold up the sump? Everyone is being so helpful!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

My sump is outside in a shed.

I used a mat for cushion.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Norsk-St...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-206359434-_-204318884-_-N

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Don't nail a bottom or anything in there. The reason this design works is because of the weight distribution from the board placement. Even nailing in what you think would be more support, is changing the distribution to perhaps a joint that wasn't meant to hold the pressure. Does that make sense, how I'm saying it?

 

[glb]

Don't nail a bottom or anything in there. The reason this design works is because of the weight distribution from the board placement. Even nailing in what you think would be more support, is changing the distribution to perhaps a joint that wasn't meant to hold the pressure. Does that make sense, how I'm saying it?

It does make sense. So I just leave the bottom of the stand open and set up the sump on the floor? It's tile.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Mine is tile too. Tomorrow in the daylight I can crawl around in there and get some pics, if you would like.

 

[tdjma]

It does make sense. So I just leave the bottom of the stand open and set up the sump on the floor? It's tile.

What your saying actually doesn't work the way you think the structure is complete adding a floor at the top of bottom cross members will not change the characteristics it just adds a floor and would actually help the lateral stability and keep it square if you build a stand and put plywood on the top and bottom it will actually be easier to level and square .

 

[tdjma]

Mine is tile too. Tomorrow in the daylight I can crawl around in there and get some pics, if you would like.

Also a floor can be sealed to keep moisture from getting to your home floor

 

[glb]

What your saying actually doesn't work the way you think the structure is complete adding a floor at the top of bottom cross members will not change the characteristics it just adds a floor and would actually help the lateral stability and keep it square if you build a stand and put plywood on the top and bottom it will actually be easier to level and square .

I'm not sure I understand. I know a floor and top will make it more stable. I'm just trying to figure out how I would make a floor without having to make a lot of jigsaw cuts around the 2x4's, which is way beyond my skill set.

 

[tdjma]

I'm not sure I understand. I know a floor and top will make it more stable. I'm just trying to figure out how I would make a floor without having to make a lot of jigsaw cuts around the 2x4's, which is way beyond my skill set.

You can rim the inside of it with two by two and put the plywood on top of that

 

[glb]

Also a floor can be sealed to keep moisture from getting to your home floor

That's the main reason I'd do a floor.

 

[glb]

You can rim the inside of it with two by two and put the plywood on top of that

What do you mean by 'rim'? I can't picture it for the floor.

 

[TryingToLearn]

You can rim the inside of it with two by two and put the plywood on top of that

Do you have anybody that has a circular saw or table saw? If so it would be well worth asking. Would make it much easier especially with 2x4. I used a circular for mine.

 

[TryingToLearn]

Do you have anybody that has a circular saw or table saw? If so it would be well worth asking. Would make it much easier especially with 2x4. I used a circular for mine.

I'm sorry I meat to reply to glb

 

[tdjma]

What do you mean by 'rim'? I can't picture it for the floor.

If you have a lower frame you just screw 2x2 around the bottom to screw the plywood to

 

[glb]

I'm sorry I meat to reply to glb

I'm going to have everything cut at the lumber store this time.

 

[glb]

If you have a lower frame you just screw 2x2 around the bottom to screw the plywood to

So 2x2's along the floor between the front and back of the stand? Then plywood on top of that? Wouldn't I still have to cut around the 2x4's to make the floor 'sealable'. Sorry for all the questions, but I want to get it right!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

That's the main reason I'd do a floor.

I used pond liner, so it's like a sealed bathtub under there and will hold 75 gallons before it goes over the top.