Questions about 46" stand for 40 breeder

[Jasper05]

I think I've seen longer stands here for a 40 breeder, but I want to make sure these dimensions will work.

I want to use all 2x4's using the design below, but I want 46" long with the intent to make a control cabinet on one side and room for the ATO on the other. I am going to put 3/4 ply on top and cross bracing where each end of the 36" tank will sit. Will this work as is? Do I need to beef up the top frame using 2x6's instead?

Bonus Question: What thickness ply do people use one the bottom of the stand? I have a 20 l sump. Thanks.

 

[Copingwithpods]

A 4 foot span for a 2x4 is just about the safe limit, a 2x6 would be the end all but you can get away with another 2 2x4s resting on your green uprights running the Lenght of the stand, doubling the 2xs. I'd feel very safe with those mods in place.

 

[Walleye34]

I think I've seen longer stands here for a 40 breeder, but I want to make sure these dimensions will work.

I want to use all 2x4's using the design below, but I want 46" long with the intent to make a control cabinet on one side and room for the ATO on the other. I am going to put 3/4 ply on top and cross bracing where each end of the 36" tank will sit. Will this work as is? Do I need to beef up the top frame using 2x6's instead?

Bonus Question: What thickness ply do people use one the bottom of the stand? I have a 20 l sump. Thanks.

I used 5/8in Plywood. If you’re talking about inside the cabinet where your sump is going to be sitting I feel it depends on weather or not you are going to have support under it. More support the thinner plywood you can use.

 

[redfishbluefish]

This is so over engineered....especially for a 40B. 2x4's all the way around are just fine. Build it the way you see it....you wouldn't need additional cross bracing at the 36 inch mark. Capping with 3/4 plywood will easily transfer the load to the 2x4's without deflection. For me, since you've purchased the 3/4 for the top, I'd also use it for the floor of the sump....but you could go thinner.

And by the way, the original engineer would designed the stand is here on R2R...... @RocketEngineer

 

[Walleye34]

This is what I did on one side of the cabinet where all of my controls are.

This is the back.

It’s held in place by these little knobs

 

[Jasper05]

This is so over engineered....especially for a 40B. 2x4's all the way around are just fine. Build it the way you see it....you wouldn't need additional cross bracing at the 36 inch mark. Capping with 3/4 plywood will easily transfer the load to the 2x4's without deflection. For me, since you've purchased the 3/4 for the top, I'd also use it for the floor of the sump....but you could go thinner.

And by the way, the original engineer would designed the stand is here on R2R...... @RocketEngineer

Thanks for the info. I was thinking it would be ok, but I wanted to get feedback before I started something that I may have to change later. I didnt buy the plywood yet. I was going to buy a 2x4 sheet of the 3/4 and I was thinking 1/2 inch on the bottom for the sump to lay on. If I could go 1/4 for weight purposes, that would be great

 

[Jasper05]

This is what I did on one side of the cabinet where all of my controls are.

This is the back.

It’s held in place by these little knobs

I am going to do something similar but I want the controls facing out and I'm going to have a side door. To answer your other question. I am referring the thickness of the ply where the sump would rest on

 

[Walleye34]

I am going to do something similar but I want the controls facing out and I'm going to have a side door. To answer your other question. I am referring the thickness of the ply where the sump would rest on

If you’re gonna run a couple of cross braces that the plywood would be sitting on then you could get away with 1/4in plywood

 

[Vette67]

This is so over engineered....especially for a 40B. 2x4's all the way around are just fine. Build it the way you see it....you wouldn't need additional cross bracing at the 36 inch mark. Capping with 3/4 plywood will easily transfer the load to the 2x4's without deflection. For me, since you've purchased the 3/4 for the top, I'd also use it for the floor of the sump....but you could go thinner.

And by the way, the original engineer would designed the stand is here on R2R...... @RocketEngineer

I couldn’t agree more. Totally over engineered. I built my stand for my 180 out of 3/4” oak plywood back in 2002, with a few 1x4 braces in there just to make me feel better. Here’s what the stand for my 40 gallon fuge looks like. Just 1x 4 supports.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I don't like 1/4 plywood, it's very flimsy. I would be very comfortable with 1/2". Otherwise it looks good!

 

[Copingwithpods]

Forget the weight and build the thing to last, this isn't something you're going to be moving around every weekend. I'd do 1/2in min and waterproof it like a pirate ship to boot to give you piece of mind.

 

[Jasper05]

1/2 inch for the bottom it is