Building a 4'x4' stand using Rocket Engineer template, questions

[Aaron75]

I will soon be getting a 4'x4'x22" tank and would like to build a stand for it. If I can I'd like to avoid center bracing to leave it as open as possible. My understanding is 2x6 top frame let's me accomplish this? Is that correct? So do a 2x6 box up top, and a 2x4 box on bottom and then 2x4 verticals?

 

[FUNGI]

correct, but 4'x4'x22", IMO, safe to use 2x4's also.......but if you have 2x6 on-hand, use them for the top......

 

[Aaron75]

correct, but 4'x4'x22", IMO, safe to use 2x4's also.......but if you have 2x6 on-hand, use them for the top......

Maybe this is a question for a different thread, but what about just a 3/4 plywood stand with some corner supports? Would that be possible?

 

[FUNGI]

Maybe this is a question for a different thread, but what about just a 3/4 plywood stand with some corner supports? Would that be possible?

All things are possible, but 4x4x22 is approx: 220 Gallons. Thats alot of weight and I wouldn't want it sitting on a just 3/4 plywood box......albeit, its doable.........

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I wouldn't go there. The biggest problem is with the support structures; in this case, the plywood isn't at 90 degrees, creating non-axial loads through the plywood. The rocket engineer's stand is 'over-engineered' in a way, but it provides a safety factor far greater than what manufacturers offer, who can assume some of the liability.

Once the plywood fails to direct the load through the load-bearing joint, you're essentially creating extremely high moment arms that will not support a tank of that size and will fail.

*25+ year engineer advice*

 

[Aaron75]

I wouldn't go there. The biggest problem is with the support structures; in this case, the plywood isn't at 90 degrees, creating non-axial loads through the plywood. The rocket engineer's stand is 'over-engineered' in a way, but it provides a safety factor far greater than what manufacturers offer, who can assume some of the liability.

Once the plywood fails to direct the load through the load-bearing joint, you're essentially creating extremely high moment arms that will not support a tank of that size and will fail.

*25+ year engineer advice*

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I'll build a 2x4 stand and then cheap out on some thinner ply skin. Thank you.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I'll build a 2x4 stand and then cheap out on some thinner ply skin. Thank you.

Another thought - if you could have a metal stand manufactured through either welding or extruded aluminum, you can get away with MUCH thinner support structures just because the tensile strength of metal is considerably higher than wood.

Check out some of the extruded aluminum stands if you would like to keep the supports minimal. I would also caution that 220 gallons is an enormous load no matter how you slice it. Don't skimp on making sure your stand is well built and can maintain that load for 10+ years without blinking an eye.

 

[FUNGI]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I'll build a 2x4 stand and then cheap out on some thinner ply skin. Thank you.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I will soon be getting a 4'x4'x22" tank and would like to build a stand for it. If I can I'd like to avoid center bracing to leave it as open as possible. My understanding is 2x6 top frame let's me accomplish this? Is that correct? So do a 2x6 box up top, and a 2x4 box on bottom and then 2x4 verticals?

I may know a guy that can help. Just sayin.

For that shape, an extra “center board” will help a lot. The result would have 6 legs instead of 4. But that’s just a suggestion.

 

[FUNGI]

I would top and bottom it with 1" ply.....just on the four legs

 

[Aaron75]

I may know a guy that can help. Just sayin.

For that shape, an extra “center board” will help a lot. The result would have 6 legs instead of 4. But that’s just a suggestion.

What do you mean center board and how does that only create 6 legs?

 

[Aaron75]

Another thought - if you could have a metal stand manufactured through either welding or extruded aluminum, you can get away with MUCH thinner support structures just because the tensile strength of metal is considerably higher than wood.

Check out some of the extruded aluminum stands if you would like to keep the supports minimal. I would also caution that 220 gallons is an enormous load no matter how you slice it. Don't skimp on making sure your stand is well built and can maintain that load for 10+ years without blinking an eye.

Aluminum exceeds my budget. I had a connection with someone that was going to weld me a stand but unfortunately they just found out they have to go help with the clean up from the fires in So-Cal. So now I'm willing to attempt a wood stand as that is within my skill set... maybe. Lol

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have a similar tank but mine is only 14 tall. with a center overflow

I plan on doing 2x6 top and bottom frame with 2x6 cross supports top, 2x4 cross supports bottom, with 2x4 upright with 2x6 supports.

I am sure I could do 2x4 for everything but I prefer to build 2x6 and spanning the 4ft.

current rendering. will have 3/4 ply top and bottom, everything painted and bottom all sealed incase of an overflow/leak