30 gal long stand

[Wfduncan89]

How concerned about stand strength should I be for a 30 gal long tank? I'm looking to have plenty of room for my sump, ato, and other equipment underneath the stand. The problem with my current design, in order to center the tank, it has to rest on the horizontal cross studs which puts a lot of stress on the screws and wood glue. Adding vertical 2x4s directly under the tank compromises the underneath design/space for sump. The plan is to add some thicker plywood to help distribute the load to the supporting vertical studs.

Will this work for a 30 gal tank(like 300 or so lbs?)? I've had a 25 gal lagoon sitting on a non-reinforced cabinet for years with no issues and it seems this should work fine, but I'd like to mitigate any future issues.

 

[JTP424]

What's your stand look like?
This should help give you an idea of a safe way to build.

Basic DIY Stand Calculator

This is a repost of my previous calculations. Again, this is not my design but has become connected with my name over the years. The basic principle of the design is two box frames connected by four legs. The upper one supports the tank and transfers the load to the legs. The legs are made of...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[UncommonSense]

it has to rest on the horizontal cross studs which puts a lot of stress on the screws and wood glue. Adding vertical 2x4s directly under the tank compromises the underneath design/space for sump.

what about dado joints in the vertical 2x4 for the horizontals?

As an example, check out how @TX_REEF built his racking system’s frame!

Build Thread - THE TX REEF ROOM

As with our health as humans, nutrition is key to our reef tanks! To that end, I took the plunge and purchased a few Plank feeders from @AVAST Marine to ensure my Reef Room systems receive the best nutrition they can, via an automated system to remove the laziness factor.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ls1fst98]

A pic would help greatly, but...a 2x4 on end is quite strong. also, rest the top from where the tank sits on the vertical legs, not butted against them. adding a plywood topper to it will also help greatly. if you do anyone of those, or both, it will have no issues holding the weight of the tank.

 

[Wfduncan89]

Ive been at work for the last few days, ill post some pics today. Its based off of rocketengineers design, but Id like essentially an oversized stand compared to the tank size. The issue is the tank wont rest on the vertical studs which kind of defeats the purpose of RE's design.

I just got home so I'll get some pictures and a better idea of whats going on shortly.

 

[Wfduncan89]

 

[JTP424]

Engineer Cat says it's A-OK!
I'M not as smart of an engineer as he is....
Hmm I would at least put a piece of wood on the top? like a flat sheet... And make sure the front/back is on one of the horizontals.

 

[Wfduncan89]

Engineer Cat says it's A-OK!
I'M not as smart of an engineer as he is....
Hmm I would at least put a piece of wood on the top? like a flat sheet... And make sure the front/back is on one of the horizontals.

Thats pretty much the plan right now. 3/4 inch plywood with the front of the tank over the front horizontal 2x4. Its not taking full advantage of the designs strength but it should be enough.

 

[Fish Fan]

It's a little sketchy the way it's sitting on the horizontal cross pieces, but I believe if you put a 3/4" plywood top on the stand you should be fine

 

[ls1fst98]

you did what i was trying to say, put the horizontals on the vertical. if you do put a top in it will be even better. that will be plenty strong