Accidentally Made My Stand Too Narrow

[Thalasstronaut]

In the title. I made a rocket engineer stand for my 90 gallon and inadvertently made it too narrow, front to back. My tank measures 18.25 inches front to back, and the stand is at 18.125.

Is there a way to salvage this by perhaps sistering in another face? Basically add another 2x4 to the front, top and bottom, and two more legs? Is there a downside or risk to doing this?

 

[FUNGI]

I would just add a 3/4 plywood top to the correct size......

 

[Thalasstronaut]

I would just add a 3/4 plywood top to the correct size......

You mean as a topper? Not a facade on the front? Would that be adequate you think?

 

[JTP424]

You mean as a topper? Not a facade on the front? Would that be adequate you think?

Yup on top is what he means. At that point you're making a 1/8 overhang, into a 1/16 overhang. (So long as its centered) Negligible at that point

 

[FUNGI]

Note my rear overhang.....this si for a 125G Tank

You mean as a topper? Not a facade on the front? Would that be adequate you think?

Yes, you can also do that.

 

[Thalasstronaut]

Yup on top is what he means. At that point you're making a 1/8 overhang, into a 1/16 overhang. (So long as its centered) Negligible at that point

Out of curiosity, where would you draw the line on an overhang no longer being negligible?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Make it 1" marine grade plywood if you will sleep better at night. And you could consider a nice mat to absorb / level out any imperfections-- I think it was the Innovative Marine that I used under my 150 gallon tanks. A really good product, IMO. Best wishes.

 

[FUNGI]

IMO, no more then a 1/4 of the tanks width. Gravity is your friend and also sometimes your enemy. The wider the overhang, the thicker the top skin should be....

 

[JTP424]

Out of curiosity, where would you draw the line on an overhang no longer being negligible?

Good question. Probably a bunch of contributing factors... id use my gut on where there is deflection vs overhang vs overall weight spread. As well as type of wood etc. Probably thickness to overhang. I.e. 1" overhang on a 1" thick marine ply id be comfortable with. But nothing less than 3/4 for any tank. (I'm overly cautious sometimes) Particle board? Absolutely not.

 

[bradreef]

Something like this would be ideal imo. Scrap granite piece from local granite supply.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Something like this would be ideal imo. Scrap granite piece from local granite supply.

I was thinking the same exact thing. You could even make the front hang a couple of extra inches (non-weight bearing) because you always need to set down a pair of tongs, small jar of pellets, etc., etc.)

 

[Thalasstronaut]

Something like this would be ideal imo. Scrap granite piece from local granite supply.

That looks nice, but I wouldn’t want the headache of having to cut through it to run plumbing.

 

[bradreef]

That looks nice, but I wouldn’t want the headache of having to cut through it to run plumbing.

I went behind it. But, cutting wouldn't be to bad. Diamond drill. Probably same as for a glass tank

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Something like this would be ideal imo. Scrap granite piece from local granite supply.

Wish I thought of this... I havebso much extra granite in the garage that idk what to do with lol

 

[Eddielg]

Granite looks great. Butcher block top would also be a great choice

 

[RocketEngineer]

Out of curiosity, where would you draw the line on an overhang no longer being negligible?

If it’s more than half the plywood thickness would be my stopping point. For a 1/2” plywood top, I wouldn’t go more than 1/4” overhang and that’s total. Having to overhang both front AND back would have me rebuilding the frame. Annoying but better to be safe IMO.

 

[Thalasstronaut]

If it’s more than half the plywood thickness would be my stopping point. For a 1/2” plywood top, I wouldn’t go more than 1/4” overhang and that’s total. Having to overhang both front AND back would have me rebuilding the frame. Annoying but better to be safe IMO.

So in this situation where I have 1/8th of an inch total, using. 3/4” plywood, I would be ok? Would there be a reason to split the 1/8th into 1/16th in the front and 1/16th in the back other than aesthetics? Is one more sound than the other?

 

[RocketEngineer]

So in this situation where I have 1/8th of an inch total, using. 3/4” plywood, I would be ok? Would there be a reason to split the 1/8th into 1/16th in the front and 1/16th in the back other than aesthetics? Is one more sound than the other?

Slitting the difference gives you less overhang and would be better but either would work.

 

[Minifoot77]

Im in the camp of making it 4 inches wider than the tank so you can put test vials tongs bottles and all the appropriate clutter in front of your tank then just center the tank over the frame

 

[BeanAnimal]

Out of curiosity, where would you draw the line on an overhang no longer being negligible?

It depends on the thickness of the top, the type and volume and dimensions of the tank. In your case, the tiny overhang is irrelevant.