DIY 220 stand

[Richard Hershkowitz]

Looking for any advice when it comes to building a stand for a 220 gallon tank. Just purchased the tank and looking to start getting the supplies for it this weekend. I have been reading some designs and some do's and don'ts was hoping some of you guys would have some great tips! Look forward to the replies

Thanks and have a great day,
Richie

 

[sbash]

I kept mine as simple as possible, here are a couple shots from my build thread:

Then I added the diagonals:

 

[Greybeard]

I have built many wooden stands over several decades, dimensional lumber, plywood. The only suggestions I have are (1) DO NOT use chip board, particle board, OSB, etc. It will get wet, and it will fail. (2) Static load strength is important, but seldom do people build stands that aren't strong enough in this way... Lateral strength, to stand up to wracking, twisting, or swaying, these are equally important, and much more often overlooked.

Before you go too far down this path, my last stand was done in steel. I'm as happy as I can be about it, and it was not expensive. I believe I saved money over buying the materials I was going to buy to make a cabinet grade plywood stand with solid trim. DON'T call an aquarium company for a steel stand, they're prices, in my experience, are ridiculous.

Here's what I did... Called the local steel vendor, and asked the guy that answered the phone if he could suggest a small fab shop for a small steel project. They did. I called that shop, and provided him with a drawing of what I wanted, specified 11 gauge 1.5" square steel, and told him I wanted it left in mill scale finish. He quoted me a price. I then called a local powder coat company, and got a quote for sand blasting the mill scale off and powder coating it gloss black.

Reasonable price, exceedingly strong, as much open space as you're ever going to get, easy to 'finish out' to match your decor, and should last far longer than I'm going to be around to need it.

As it came from the powder coat company:

 

[Richard Hershkowitz]

Thank you guys for your replies I will have to look into both options. Was your wooden stand built out of 2x4's or 2x6's?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's the conventional dimensional lumber plan for a stand. Up to four feet long, all 2 x 4's, over four feet, the top frame is 2 x 6's with the rest 2 x 4's. No center brace needed. The stand either needs to be skinned or cross bracing added to keep the stand from racking.

 

[Richard Hershkowitz]

Here's the conventional dimensional lumber plan for a stand. Up to four feet long, all 2 x 4's, over four feet, the top frame is 2 x 6's with the rest 2 x 4's. No center brace needed. The stand either needs to be skinned or cross bracing added to keep the stand from racking.

Alright thank you for that!

 

[sbash]

Thank you guys for your replies I will have to look into both options. Was your wooden stand built out of 2x4's or 2x6's?

2x6's... Pretty much the design post above, with a few tweaks because of the existing wall... and then more supports in the middle. I don't need that space, so I figured it couldn't hurt. The diagonal pieces are important though, make sure you have them! I didn't at first (which if you look closely you can tell, especially if you go through those few photos in the build thread) because I had the one end screwed into the jackstud, but it was still a bit wobbly, so I added them in after the tank was on the stand (before the water).

 

[Niterunner77]

I’m currently in the process of building my new stand for my 6ft. 180G. Decided to go with mainly 2x6s. Would rather over build it than to have a failure later on. The only 2x4s are on the inside corners and the cross braces on the bottom for the floor. I basically used the plans mentioned a few posts up. Gonna add on a solid wood top over the next day or so along with center supports. It’s a solid beast. If you have any questions feel free to ask.