Stand help and Polystyrene ?

[robert.smith2888]

Hi people
I’m gonna start building my part star tomorrow
By part stand I mean my 300l tank is currently sitting on a desk with metal legs on my carpet ( tank is empty)
My plan is 12mm ply wood on the floor for the desk to stand on in the alcove the tank will be sittin in, I will then place another 12mm sheet on top of the desk and use 4x2 cls wood for supports in the corners and along the sides and screw together.
my question is
1 will that be strong enough
2 will I need a polystyrene sheet under the tank, if so how thick
Hopefully attached is a picture of my tank on the desk.
many help will be highly appreciated.
thanks in advance

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hi people
I’m gonna start building my part star tomorrow
By part stand I mean my 300l tank is currently sitting on a desk with metal legs on my carpet ( tank is empty)
My plan is 12mm ply wood on the floor for the desk to stand on in the alcove the tank will be sittin in, I will then place another 12mm sheet on top of the desk and use 4x2 cls wood for supports in the corners and along the sides and screw together.
my question is
1 will that be strong enough
2 will I need a polystyrene sheet under the tank, if so how thick
Hopefully attached is a picture of my tank on the desk.
many help will be highly appreciated.
thanks in advance

Your stand reminds me of something from Ikea. It seems like it is a desk, rated perhaps for paper, computer, etc. Instead a tank 300L or 80gallons is 640 pounds (1 pound water about 8 pounds). I can't help but wonder if those legs can support 640 pounds water weight, not counting equipment, etc. Put 5 people sitting on top of desk for a while as just a limited stress test, assuming each person is about 120 pounds (less than weight of water planned). Evaluate does everything seem solid for that tiny duration. Now think that weight (plus equipment) needs sustained for years.

Notice how the metal bends under the top, suspect those are weak spots. If that were to fail whole structure above would drop. Additionally depending if that metal is not rated for that sustained weight, then those metal legs might bow out/in/crumple.

If this were my tank, then instead I'd have a different plan without the potential weaknesses of using that desk. Sturdy metal is great idea, but that doesn't seem like study desk. Use something else; 2x4s are good option and there are likely lots of DIY stand plans you can retrofit for your tank.

 

[robert.smith2888]

Your stand reminds me of something from Ikea. It seems like it is a desk, rated perhaps for paper, computer, etc. Instead a tank 300L or 80gallons is 640 pounds (1 pound water about 8 pounds). I can't help but wonder if those legs can support 640 pounds water weight, not counting equipment, etc. Put 5 people sitting on top of desk for a while as just a limited stress test, assuming each person is about 120 pounds (less than weight of water planned). Evaluate does everything seem solid for that tiny duration. Now think that weight (plus equipment) needs sustained for years.

Notice how the metal bends under the top, suspect those are weak spots. If that were to fail whole structure above would drop. Additionally depending if that metal is not rated for that sustained weight, then those metal legs might bow out/in/crumple.

If this were my tank, then instead I'd have a different plan without the potential weaknesses of using that desk. Sturdy metal is great idea, but that doesn't seem like study desk. Use something else; 2x4s are good option and there are likely lots of DIY stand plans you can retrofit for your tank.

So even with the extra wood at bottom and on top with supports in each corner and then in the middle at the back and at the sides you don’t think that will be strong enough, the tank with just water will be 836lbs so I’m gonna say just shy of 900lbs with rocks and sand.

 

[Chrisv.]

So even with the extra wood at bottom and on top with supports in each corner and then in the middle at the back and at the sides you don’t think that will be strong enough, the tank with just water will be 836lbs so I’m gonna say just shy of 900lbs with rocks and sand.

I wouldn't.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

I wouldn't.

So even with the extra wood at bottom and on top with supports in each corner and then in the middle at the back and at the sides you don’t think that will be strong enough, the tank with just water will be 836lbs so I’m gonna say just shy of 900lbs with rocks and sand.

Bent metal instead of adding support should be considered weakness. Extra wood at top and bottom as well as supports need to carry ENTIRE load because bent metal legs are structural liability.

 

[robert.smith2888]

**** lol
New plan remove desk build full stand
Is 12mm ply enough?

 

[ying yang]

Sounds like you wanting to build a stand around that desk..personally i would ditch the desk and just make a stand as your idea is just that desk inside a stand correct.

 

[robert.smith2888]

Sounds like you wanting to build a stand around that desk..personally i would ditch the desk and just make a stand as your idea is just that desk inside a stand correct.

Yer that was the plan I was hoping for just a bit more support from the extra uprights
But now I’m just gonna take away the desk and build a full stand
Will 12mm ply be enough ?

 

[ying yang]

As i was training be plumber and heating engineer i did do odd jobs and built wardrobes and other woodwork but as i say was only odd job man at that time so wouldnt like to say if 12 mm plywood wood be adequate as never built a stand for an aquarium which needs to be strong and sturdy as 1 litre water = 1kg so can get to be alot of weight in that tank.
What i would be doing if i was you is search r2r threads of others who built a stand and copy that if like it or some you tube videos. All i know is as could be water dropping on stand never use chipboard which ive had few customers years ago where a plumber used chipboard on a plastic cold water storage system in loft and it had small leak and chipboard got wet and give way and then a whole lot water through ceiling and caused lots damage pffft.
So make sure top of your stand perfectly level and not bowing and no nails/ screws sticking up as if tank sitting on either it will cause a stress point and glass could crack worse case scenerio but 12mm nearly half an inch so at a guess would say that good enough but please research what others have used.
I will try find something to help you out ^_^

 

[ying yang]

show me your DIY plywood stands

Hey guys! soooo i am thinking about setting up yet another tank a 40br thinking about a DIY plywood stand i have a kreg jig and glue. just need a template and/or ideas so post pic of your build or link to a thread.

www.reef2reef.com

Here have a read through this.see if others give exact way they made theres and what materials used etc.
I think general rule if tank glass sitting on the top wooden stand then can place some kind of cushioning underneath it.
But if its a rimmed tank ( plastic around edges) then dont put anything underneath it as the tank sitting on the plastic rim so depends what yours is.

 

[robert.smith2888]

As i was training be plumber and heating engineer i did do odd jobs and built wardrobes and other woodwork but as i say was only odd job man at that time so wouldnt like to say if 12 mm plywood wood be adequate as never built a stand for an aquarium which needs to be strong and sturdy as 1 litre water = 1kg so can get to be alot of weight in that tank.
What i would be doing if i was you is search r2r threads of others who built a stand and copy that if like it or some you tube videos. All i know is as could be water dropping on stand never use chipboard which ive had few customers years ago where a plumber used chipboard on a plastic cold water storage system in loft and it had small leak and chipboard got wet and give way and then a whole lot water through ceiling and caused lots damage pffft.
So make sure top of your stand perfectly level and not bowing and no nails/ screws sticking up as if tank sitting on either it will cause a stress point and glass could crack worse case scenerio but 12mm nearly half an inch so at a guess would say that good enough but please research what others have used.
I will try find something to help you out ^_^

That is a 350l tank but don’t look like it could hold me.
And then you see some that look over kill fir a 100l tank ‍

 

[Billdogg]

I wouldn't trust that "stand to support my laptop much less and aquarium of any size.

Google "rocketengineer aquarium stand" for a good starting point on a solid but simple DIY stand.

Your tank is rimless, so yes, polystyrene or other thin padding is certainly indicated. 1/4 to 1/2" is more than enough IMO.

 

[38bill]

12mm looks to be about 1/2" and that may be thick enough for the sides depending on how its braced inside. I use 3/4" (19mm?) for the top and sides and use little if anything for interior bracing. Most typically use 3/4" on the top and I don't think many people use a polystyrene sheet anymore. With the frameless tanks usually a black 1/4" (8mm?) thick or so foam mat is placed under the tank. The desk shown does not have any lateral support and I would not use it.