Need basic carpentry help for building my own stand

[glb]

I'm also wondering if it would look cooler to make the sides a little shorter.

 

[tdjma]

I've thought of doing that so I would have small work areas on the sides instead of spilling half a can of fish food when i try to balance top and food etc

 

[glb]

This is what I came up with for my 40 breeder with a 20 long sump and just starting to figure out the canopy. I originally had the frame to the demension of the 40b but found out the 20 long wasn't going to fit so I just took it apart and redirected it to 48 inches long and made a little table top area for testing and feeding .

So you had a frame the dimensions of the tank and then built it out 6" on each side?

 

[tdjma]

 

[tdjma]

So you had a frame the dimensions of the tank and then built it out 6" on each side?

That is really a great job.

 

[glb]

Ok if I make the stand 37.5" wide, that will give me 30.5" clearance to get the sump in. The sump is 30" wide, so I think that will work.

 

[glb]

For those of you who already have a stand for this setup (40g breeder with 20g long sump), can you tell me the exact dimensions of your stand? I want to make sure my plan will work before I start cutting wood.

 

[glb]

Ugh. I just measured the 40g to confirm the dimensions. It's actually 36 1/2" x 18.5" x 17" including the black trim. Back to the drawing board for the stand measurements but I'm so glad I checked!

 

[glb]

Bump. Any help with my stand build is appreciated! I posted several things today as I'm getting ready for the actual build.

 

[glb]

Getting ready to build. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[glb]

I plan on gluing first then drilling. Any tips for making sure the pilot holes and screws go in straight?

 

[glb]

Ok I have a question. I cut the wood to be 3/4" wider than the tank all around, so it will sit in the middle of the 1 1/2" side of the wood. Is this a problem? I realized that's right where the screws will be. I also cut he wood according to the size of the black trim on the tank, which is 1/4" bigger than the glass. I haven't started yet so I can trim the wood if I need to. Am I thinking about this correctly?

 

[tdjma]

Ok I have a question. I cut the wood to be 3/4" wider than the tank all around, so it will sit in the middle of the 1 1/2" side of the wood. Is this a problem? I realized that's right where the screws will be. I also cut he wood according to the size of the black trim on the tank, which is 1/4" bigger than the glass. I haven't started yet so I can trim the wood if I need to. Am I thinking about this correctly?

It should be fine you are putting a skin of plywood across the top of it though aren't you

 

[glb]

It should be fine you are putting a skin of plywood across the top of it though aren't you

I am putting a skin on. I could cut them a little shorter though because I haven't started. I want it to be right.

 

[TaylorPilot]

I just built a stand for a 40B. The only difference was that I made it out of 1X4, ditched the green vertical pieces, and assembled using a kreg jig. It is super strong. The tank rim actually sits on top of the vertical pieces. With a 20L under it, I have about 4 inches of clearance on one side. I know you already have them cut, but 2X4 is really overkill. I have built stands for a 120 the way I just said, except I used 1X8 for the two long horizontal pieces in the front, and it ran for years and years. I still have it after moving it several times and filled it a few months ago. Not a bit of movement or shifting.

 

[TaylorPilot]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_255535-3945...kieCreated=true&CAWELAID=&CAWELAID=1367980566

http://www.lowes.com/pd_142313-39450-PFC___?productId=3063585&pl=1&Ntt=kreg

I bought both of these when I was in college a decade ago, and still use them all the time. They really are a great investment.

 

[glb]

I just built a stand for a 40B. The only difference was that I made it out of 1X4, ditched the green vertical pieces, and assembled using a kreg jig. It is super strong. The tank rim actually sits on top of the vertical pieces. With a 20L under it, I have about 4 inches of clearance on one side. I know you already have them cut, but 2X4 is really overkill. I have built stands for a 120 the way I just said, except I used 1X8 for the two long horizontal pieces in the front, and it ran for years and years. I still have it after moving it several times and filled it a few months ago. Not a bit of movement or shifting.

Luckily the wood was the cheapest part. My main concern is the length and the depth not being too big. But I do think that the plywood too will make it ok.

 

[glb]

I'm thinking about trimming the wood so there's only a 1/2" edge on each side. Does it really matter?

 

[TaylorPilot]

I don't know what you mean about the plywood. I made my stand the exact same outer dimension as the outside rim of the tank. That way the rim sits flush with the stand. Then I nailed some 1X3 around the outside to cover up the trim and the bottom. If you aren't in a big hurry, I am going to build a canopy for the tank in the same method tomorrow and Thursday, and I'll take some photos of me assembling it. It will be smaller, but the method will be the same. Hold on, Ill take some more pictures to show you some more details. One other note, I bought one of the small 2'X4' 1/2" plywood sheets. I screwed it in one corner, using the plywood as a straight edge, straightened up the stand, and screwed down the next corner. Then I used a router with a flush bit, and trimmed the bottom to fit on the two corners that are over hanging. At that point the stand becomes very very ridged. I can pick it up by myself with one hand and throw it around, and it doesn't move. Does that all make sense? I does when I am typing it, but I already have it visualized in my head. lol

 

[glb]

I don't know what you mean about the plywood. I made my stand the exact same outer dimension as the outside rim of the tank. That way the rim sits flush with the stand. Then I nailed some 1X3 around the outside to cover up the trim and the bottom. If you aren't in a big hurry, I am going to build a canopy for the tank in the same method tomorrow and Thursday, and I'll take some photos of me assembling it. It will be smaller, but the method will be the same. Hold on, Ill take some more pictures to show you some more details. One other note, I bought one of the small 2'X4' 1/2" plywood sheets. I screwed it in one corner, using the plywood as a straight edge, straightened up the stand, and screwed down the next corner. Then I used a router with a flush bit, and trimmed the bottom to fit on the two corners that are over hanging. At that point the stand becomes very very ridged. I can pick it up by myself with one hand and throw it around, and it doesn't move. Does that all make sense? I does when I am typing it, but I already have it visualized in my head. lol

It does make sense. My wood is cut 1 1/2" larger than the rim, so the frame would be 3/4" wider than the black trim. I think that's too much. I'm going to trim it. It's 37 3/4" now. I think I'll cut it down to 37", leaving 3/8" on each side for just a little overlap.