Rocket engineer stand question

[GoldeneyeRet]

I have not built a stand in many years. The RE worked well for my last build so I want to use it again but I cant find the answer to my specific plan.

90 × 24 footprint, if I have 1 center leg support, can I use 2x4 top rail? If not, can I use a 2x 4 top rail if i have 2 supports?

Thanks

 

[Matthew Frost]

Couple questions, how big is the tank and is it glass or acryllic? 90" is too far to span with two braces using a 2x4 top rail. You are likely going to have a tank that's 225 gallons or larger, that's 1800 pounds of just water and you want a minimum of deflection. I would use a 2x8 with one center support and a 2x6 minimum with two center supports.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Tank is about 220 gallons, glass.

I'm surprised a 2x4 top rail wont work even with 2 supports. My current 120 is 4 ft long, 2x4 top rail no supports, and I thought 4 ft of span was the max for a 2x4 top rail, 6 ft for 2x6.

Not really a problem to up the size of the top rail however. Thanks for the advice!

 

[davocean]

Personally I would not go any less than 2x6, and that would be w/ a center vertical support post, 2x4 fine for that, (Though I'd go 2x6 myself, would look more balanced)doubled w/ the inside leg and leg under rim.
2x4 even on tall side could sag as horizontal.
It's a lot of weight.


120g span is short, but even my 120 has 2x6 rim

 

[Matthew Frost]

225 gallons of water, tank, sand and rocks could easily be 2500 pounds. That's a VW bug. 3/8" of deflection in the wrong place and you have 225 gallons of water on your floor. I would rather overbuild... A LOT.

 

[Chuk]

I’m pretty sure I’m the original plans it said over 48” span go 2x6 over 72” go 2x8. But that was about no center support. If you have a center support or 2 that changes you span from 90” to the distance from end to support rather than the whole distance. I personally would go 2x6 with a center support because I’m an enginerd and I over design everything.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I’m pretty sure I’m the original plans it said over 48” span go 2x6 over 72” go 2x8. But that was about no center support. If you have a center support or 2 that changes you span from 90” to the distance from end to support rather than the whole distance. I personally would go 2x6 with a center support because I’m an enginerd and I over design everything.

That's exactly how I remember it as well. I think 2x4 are plenty for the supporting legs, but 2x6 wouldnt hurt.

Anyone else have input?