Wood Stand with middle supports?!

John Michael · Jan 24, 2019

hey guys need a little advice!
So I’m starting to build my tank stand using
2 in. x 6 in. #2 and Better FSC Green Douglas Fir Lumber.
Tank: 220G
721/2 X 24 1/2 X 29 1/2

So far I’ve gotten mostly everything done except the front supports. I added two supports to the back. The stand is solid as hell with a bunch of #10 3/12 inch screws.

But I really want to be able to leave the front of the tank open.
I’m going to build a show piece sump area! So why not show it off!
My question is will the front support the tanks weight! And if not what can I do to be able to leave the front open? The picture show Doesn’t have the rest of the supports that are already there. Just giving you a idea of what it looks like.

xaflatoonx · Jan 24, 2019

the 2x6 should be fine - but just to be safe i would use 2x8s ... just in case.
Other than that - my advice would be to put the top frame on TOP of the legs - that way - the wood sits flush on all sides and it will be easy to skin.

example -

xaflatoonx · Jan 24, 2019

John Michael · Jan 24, 2019

The way I did it was double support on all legs and back support as shows.
Would this work fine?

xaflatoonx said:

jkcoon · Jan 24, 2019

that should be plenty strong enough to carry the load

xaflatoonx · Jan 24, 2019

Support wise you are good.
I mean to make it easier to skin and sit flush -

but - you can make do this way as well if you like.

to your original question - i think support wise you are good.

redfishbluefish · Jan 24, 2019

The 2x6 will easily support a 220 without a center support. These stands are way over engineered. That said, I would add a couple cross supports to the top.....the blue board in this picture.

No problem leaving the front open, but I'd either skin the back and sides or add cross bracing to keep the stand from racking. One more thing, with dimensional lumber having a mind of it's own with imperfections, I'd top the stand with 3/4 plywood to "even" out the top.

AngryOwl · Jan 24, 2019

I build a plywood stand and used a 2x6 for the front support to have a large opening for the sump. 230g tank. Hasn't fallen down yet...

John Michael · Jan 24, 2019

xaflatoonx said:
Support wise you are good.
I mean to make it easier to skin and sit flush -

but - you can make do this way as well if you like.

to your original question - i think support wise you are good.

The stand sits flush to be able to skin.
So I think I’m good
Gonna finish it up and show you the end result

John Michael · Jan 24, 2019

AngryOwl said:
I build a plywood stand and used a 2x6 for the front support to have a large opening for the sump. 230g tank. Hasn't fallen down yet...

That makes me feel great to know!
The back is gonna have two supports so I think we should be good.

John Michael · Jan 24, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
The 2x6 will easily support a 220 without a center support. These stands are way over engineered. That said, I would add a couple cross supports to the top.....the blue board in this picture.

No problem leaving the front open, but I'd either skin the back and sides or add cross bracing to keep the stand from racking. One more thing, with dimensional lumber having a mind of it's own with imperfections, I'd top the stand with 3/4 plywood to "even" out the top.

This is the exactly the same design I went with. I actually added doub double cross beams To the top and the bottom!

redfishbluefish said:
The 2x6 will easily support a 220 without a center support. These stands are way over engineered. That said, I would add a couple cross supports to the top.....the blue board in this picture.

No problem leaving the front open, but I'd either skin the back and sides or add cross bracing to keep the stand from racking. One more thing, with dimensional lumber having a mind of it's own with imperfections, I'd top the stand with 3/4 plywood to "even" out the top.

This is the exact same design I went with but did double cross support on top and bottom