Tank bracing

rayn · Oct 5, 2016

Wondering how much bracing people are putting under their tanks?

Little info/history...this is a in wall build so the stand won't be seen from the outside. While I would like the stand to look "nice" it doesn't have to be extravagant. I have built my stands in the past with double corners 2x4 and then 16" on center like a wall. I would like to open that area up for more accessibility to underneath.

Tank 1 is a 5' 120.
Tank 2 is a 8' 240.

Is a double header board enough? Would a lvl be better? If either how big should they be...6", 8", 10"?

cromag27 · Oct 9, 2016

I build stands but I'm not quite sure what you're asking here?

rayn · Oct 9, 2016

This is my current stand behind the wall. Built 16" on center for support like a wall is. I would like to take out the center 3 supports, but need to support the tank still somehow. I was thinking like a header there instead and allow a dump to slide underneath. Just now sure the height of the header needed.

cromag27 · Oct 9, 2016

8' tank, 250g.

rayn · Oct 9, 2016

Okay, that's a lot less then what I have and that tank is bigger. Am I just over doing it?

cromag27 · Oct 9, 2016

Way overdoing it. probably wouldn't hurt to put a 2x4 in each of the rear corners and in the middle rear. this could help to support the extra weight of plumbing components. but I only do that on stands longer than 8'.

JaimeAdams · Oct 9, 2016

What you want to know is the column load capacity for wood.
Check this link
https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/arch264/calculators/example7.1/index.html
That would simply be for the uprights. As in you could take out those middle uprights and the 2x4s that I imagine are in the corners would be enough to support the weight of the tank.
You could also look up the load capacity of a floor joist of whatever dimension you are thinking or beam or whatever else you want.
These formulas are as easy as a google or bing search bar.