Aquarium stand platform help

[icemountain]

After looking it over again and considering the 3 cracked tanks, decided to just start over with a wood stand. I’m unsure on how to start as I have 40b, 29g, and 15 gallons that I want to add to the stand.

 

[spankyspam]

Hello, so I started a project of creating stacked tanks and I have plumbed but 2 of the 40s gave it at the bottom panel seam it seems. I tried making a DIY support to deal with the over hang but that didn’t help as one of the tanks cracked at the bottom a few days after I had it set that up. I’m draining all the tanks to try to redo the entire platform one last time. The stand itself is 24” front to back.

I was thinking this time, I can cut it 3/4” plywood for each aquarium to fit the dimensions of it individually to provide that support for the overhang instead of using the 2 x 4 you see in the pictures. Would this remedy the issue or is there something else I should be doing to create a solid platform for the tanks? I’m not a great DIYer. I don’t want to redo this only to have the same issues again so since I’m draining and will need to redo some of the plumbing, thought this would the best time to fix the problem. Thanks!

Just throw some 2 x4s across under the plywood for support in the middle

 

[RandyL]

Over time, weight can make wood warp or bend (especially soft wood like pine). I’d recommend using hardwood or (as others have recommended), going with a 2 x 6 and placing the boards edge-wise, like floor joists. The last thing you want is some structural issues in a year or two once everything is established.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello, so I started a project of creating stacked tanks and I have plumbed but 2 of the 40s gave it at the bottom panel seam it seems. I tried making a DIY support to deal with the over hang but that didn’t help as one of the tanks cracked at the bottom a few days after I had it set that up. I’m draining all the tanks to try to redo the entire platform one last time. The stand itself is 24” front to back.

I was thinking this time, I can cut it 3/4” plywood for each aquarium to fit the dimensions of it individually to provide that support for the overhang instead of using the 2 x 4 you see in the pictures. Would this remedy the issue or is there something else I should be doing to create a solid platform for the tanks? I’m not a great DIYer. I don’t want to redo this only to have the same issues again so since I’m draining and will need to redo some of the plumbing, thought this would the best time to fix the problem. Thanks!

Hate to say but thinking about my store displays, this does not look supportive for number of tanks proposed. Mine had cross members (front to back every 16" ) and plywood base for tanks to sit on. Wood was painted with enamel to protect from spills and salt creep. Screws were deck screws (rust resistant)

 

[icemountain]

Hate to say but thinking about my store displays, this does not look supportive for number of tanks proposed. Mine had cross members (front to back every 16" ) and plywood base for tanks to sit on. Wood was painted with enamel to protect from spills and salt creep. Screws were deck screws (rust resistant)

I’m redoing it and making a new wood stand with 2x4s and plywood wood. I bought the pressure treated wood.