Plans for 120g stand? (Non 2x)

twistedfinn967 · Jul 5, 2016

Looking for some plans to build a stand for a 4x2x2 120g tank. Would like to NOT use 2x's. If the factory can make them out of 1x's anyone should be able too!

Any help is appreciated!

jsker · Jul 5, 2016

I used 3/4 stock for my build. Look at my build, and ask question and I will help you with a layout. All you really need is you have overlapping support down the the floor with you 4 corners as the main load barring part.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jul 5, 2016

The factory is making them as cheaply as possible. It's not an engineering achievement to make it out of lesser material, but it could be a recipe for disaster.

Don't ask me, I just built my 125 gallon tank stand out of 1.5" square .120 wall structural steel.

twistedfinn967 · Jul 5, 2016

Bloody.Knuckles said:
The factory is making them as cheaply as possible. It's not an engineering achievement to make it out of lesser material, but it could be a recipe for disaster.

Don't ask me, I just built my 125 gallon tank stand out of 1.5" square .120 wall structural steel.

While I don't disagree about the factory making stands as cheaply as possible, I have yet to see a thread about a factory stand collapsing. I just want a stand that doesn't weigh more than the tank. And I don't need to be able to park a tank on it! I would love to be able to go with steel!

twistedfinn967 · Jul 5, 2016

jsker said:
I used 3/4 stock for my build. Look at my build, and ask question and I will help you with a layout. All you really need is you have overlapping support down the the floor with you 4 corners as the main load barring part.

Thanks, I'll be taking you up on that offer!

Bloody.Knuckles · Jul 5, 2016

twistedfinn967 said:
While I don't disagree about the factory making stands as cheaply as possible, I have yet to see a thread about a factory stand collapsing. I just want a stand that doesn't weigh more than the tank. And I don't need to be able to park a tank on it! I would love to be able to go with steel!

Maybe my calculations were for holding a different type of tank, lol. If you can weld it's not that expensive. I took on am existing 46 gallon bow front that the previous owner said a powerhead he had in there shook the tank on the stand and it only has one strip support in the back and supports on the bottom rim, 383+ pounds in just water... just seems a bit under built.

120 gallons is 1000 pounds in just water... I hate it when people start upping the antenna on safety stuff because they're overly cautious Internet engineers; "I wouldn't use less than x-inch thick glass for x height". I think that stand can stand there... still.

For reference, I paid about $150 for the steel and can pick up the stand and walk around with it.

thewbell · Jul 6, 2016

I am one of those that severely overbuilt my stand using steel, but it was all free and left over from other projects (2x2x.120 square tube and C4x5.4 channel). In hindsight I wish I had gone lighter but i like the added security of the heavy stand. I also did an FEA model and calculated deflections (I am an actual engineer after all) and was able to go with no center support under a 5' tank leaving me a ton of room for a sump and equipment.

Bloody.Knuckles · Jul 6, 2016

thewbell said:
I am one of those that severely overbuilt my stand using steel, but it was all free and left over from other projects (2x2x.120 square tube and C4x5.4 channel). In hindsight I wish I had gone lighter but i like the added security of the heavy stand. I also did an FEA model and calculated deflections (I am an actual engineer after all) and was able to go with no center support under a 5' tank leaving me a ton of room for a sump and equipment.

D! Here is was thinking I overbuilt mine, lol