Cinder block stand

[Reef-junky]

At one point I’m thinking about building an in wall plywood tank in the 300 to 1000gal range depending one how much room I have. I would like to get as close to 1000 as I can because it’s in wall you wouldn’t see the stand so I was thinking of using cinder blocks. My question is would they be strong enough to support that kind of weight? I was thinking it would be best to cement them together.

 

[don_chuwish]

Properly laid block walls hold up houses. Filling the cavities with concrete is always a good idea. What will be under the blocks?

 

[Reef-junky]

This is going to be done in the basement. Is there a pattern some where I can look up?

Thanks by the way

 

[Andnosobabin]

This is going to be done in the basement. Is there a pattern some where I can look up?

Thanks by the way

Just make sure you stager each brick by half of the other one. I'd design it with overhang and put HD particle board on top. Build the base from the overflow drains and out meaning start with the hole in the bricks below the drains and then build up you can drill the brick to have ur plumbing or even have a whole corner depending how you do this. You won't need morter it should be stable without so you can dry fit everything all day long. But I'd recommend putting a deck down on your floor to keep things even.

 

[Greybeard]

A level platform made from concrete blocks is going to be plenty strong. You're looking at somewhere around 2500 psi to crush one. No worries.

 

[AlexG]

I would agree that an interlocking pattern of cinder blocks will work for a stand. I would space the cinder block columns close together which will better distribute the weight. A plywood cap on top or a steel frame that sealed should serve as a good base which can be leveled for the tank to rest on. I would not use particle board for any part of the stand or tank construction as it should be plywood only. Also I would not recommend treated plywood as it can contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that are toxic to marine life. I am not sure how you plan to complete your plumbing but I would advise against drilling overflow or return line holes through the bottom of the tank. I would put these holes through the side of the tank as high as you can. That way if you develop a bulkhead leak it can be repaired without the possibility of having to drain the entire tank. Bulkheads placed higher on the side of the tank will also be under significantly less water pressure that a bulkhead near the bottom of the tank.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

The only additional input I have is to cement the blocks and use rebar if you are in an earthquake zone.

 

[Reef-junky]

I would agree that an interlocking pattern of cinder blocks will work for a stand. I would space the cinder block columns close together which will better distribute the weight. A plywood cap on top or a steel frame that sealed should serve as a good base which can be leveled for the tank to rest on. I would not use particle board for any part of the stand or tank construction as it should be plywood only. Also I would not recommend treated plywood as it can contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that are toxic to marine life. I am not sure how you plan to complete your plumbing but I would advise against drilling overflow or return line holes through the bottom of the tank. I would put these holes through the side of the tank as high as you can. That way if you develop a bulkhead leak it can be repaired without the possibility of having to drain the entire tank. Bulkheads placed higher on the side of the tank will also be under significantly less water pressure that a bulkhead near the bottom of the tank.

Yeah I hate overflows that go from the bottom of the tank up anyway.

 

[Reef-junky]

A level platform made from concrete blocks is going to be plenty strong. You're looking at somewhere around 2500 psi to crush one. No worries.

I figure at less then a $1 each the price shouldn’t be bad to build it as well.

 

[Greybeard]

The only additional input I have is to cement the blocks and use rebar if you are in an earthquake zone.

I would have never thought of that... since I'm _not_ in an earthquake zone, but good call. A little shaking on a loaded, un-reinforced concrete block can bring it down in a hurry.

I figure at less then a $1 each the price shouldn’t be bad to build it as well.

Yup, if you don't need the space under it, and don't care what it looks like, cinder blocks (they're not, really... it's concrete block. You'd be hard pressed to find any 'cinder' in a block these days) are strong, cheap, and easy.

 

[Reef-junky]

I would have never thought of that... since I'm _not_ in an earthquake zone, but good call. A little shaking on a loaded, un-reinforced concrete block can bring it down in a hurry.


Yup, if you don't need the space under it, and don't care what it looks like, cinder blocks (they're not, really... it's concrete block. You'd be hard pressed to find any 'cinder' in a block these days) are strong, cheap, and easy.

I’m going to have a fish room so under the stand won’t be used. I’ll just run pipes. Probably just use totes for sumps. No one will see any of this stuff anyway.