Question regarding stand and skinning

[Fishboy9227]

I am currently thinking through how to build a stand for my 187ish gallon tank (60"x30"). I really like the design of the Planet Aquariums stand below.

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My understanding is that they solely use plywood on these stands. I'm a little uncomfortable doing so (perhaps out of ignorance). I would like to create a traditionally framed stand like below, but building the frame so that when I attach the plywood skin, the entire stand, without doors and trim, would be flush with the aquarium.


I would then place a piece of 3/4" plywood down on the top of the stand before placing the rimmed tank on top. I would think the weight of the aquarium would be both on the plywood skin and the 2x4 frame.

Does this make sense to do? Is there a better way?

 

[S2G]

I use a removable skin with fake doors or no doors. It just slides on. Right now in doing mine out of leftover vinyl flooring that looks like grey reclaimed wood.

Same thing they use with a metal stand.

 

[Fishboy9227]

Gotcha. I think that is how it is normally done. I'm trying to figure out a way that the skin is flush the with the aquarium, and then the trim and the doors are flush with each other, much like the picture of the stand attached.

 

[Katrina71]

I am currently thinking through how to build a stand for my 187ish gallon tank (60"x30"). I really like the design of the Planet Aquariums stand below.

m
My understanding is that they solely use plywood on these stands. I'm a little uncomfortable doing so (perhaps out of ignorance). I would like to create a traditionally framed stand like below, but building the frame so that when I attach the plywood skin, the entire stand, without doors and trim, would be flush with the aquarium.


I would then place a piece of 3/4" plywood down on the top of the stand before placing the rimmed tank on top. I would think the weight of the aquarium would be both on the plywood skin and the 2x4 frame.

Does this make sense to do? Is there a better way?

Look, I stressed about the same thing. Do yourself a favor and have a pro build it. You can still trim it out and finish it the way you want to.

 

[Fishboy9227]

Thanks for the advice. I've built many stands, just not in the way I am suggesting.

 

[cvrle1]

Only thing I can add is in regards to the frame you want to build. As per @RocketEngineer who came up with that design, for tank your size you should use 2X6 and maybe even 2X8 for top frame (red and yellow).

"These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended. "

 

[Fishboy9227]

Well noted, @cvrle1. Planned to use 2x6s for the top frame.

 

[theatrus]

Skinning with plywood is super common, but usually the plywood is considered structural so its not always removable. For lumber builds, you'll want to make sure the frame is rigid enough before skinning. I personally like using aluminum T-slot framing now for stand builds, and would make my newest stand all T-slot, or steel and use removable plywood and/or furniture hardwood skinning.

 

[Fishboy9227]

My question is, can the plywood skin be part of the vertical support?