Is my stand safe?

[Boxofpurplerocks]

Hoping for some input from you all. Just finished building my 2x4 stand and looks like I made a slight miscalculation. When placed on the top rim (temporarily without the plywood top, just to see where it sits), it looks like the two long edges of the tank (it's a 40 breeder), ever so slightly hang over the edge of the frame. By maybe 1/16" or 1/8th of an inch. With the plywood top (it's slightly oversized), it does not. Do you think this poses a problem? Do I need to redo the stand to make it a bit wider? See pics below. It's so close you almost cant tell in the pics.

 

[S.Pepper]

You should be fine. Do you have a self-leveling pad under the tank?

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

You should be fine. Do you have a self-leveling pad under the tank?

I do not, my plan was to top with 3/4" plywood, then shim under the stand if not level. If the trim doesnt sit flush all the way around the rim (tested with a piece of paper), my plan was to put very thin shims between plywood and stand.

 

[S.Pepper]

I do not, my plan was to top with 3/4" plywood, then shim under the stand if not level. If the trim doesnt sit flush all the way around the rim (tested with a piece of paper), my plan was to put very thin shims between plywood and stand.

Regardless, if you shim the stand or not, it's nice to have that pad between a hard surface and the tank bottom. It's fairly cheap.

 

[X-37B]

You dont need a pad its a rimmed tank.
Just make the top the same size as the bottom of the tank and you will be fine.

 

[S.Pepper]

You dont need a pad its a rimmed tank.
Just make the top the same size as the bottom of the tank and you will be fine.

thanks, I just noted that and was coming back to mention that. :)

 

[InactiveAcct]

Agree, you don’t need a pad on a rimed tank bottom. The pads are for flat glass or acrylic bottom tanks.

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

Agree, you don’t need a pad on a rimed tank bottom. The pads are for flat glass or acrylic bottom tanks.

Agreed. Any thoughts on the rim of my tank being slightly over the frame?

 

[InactiveAcct]

You said you’re adding a top panel? What about side panels? Will this be a fully enclosed stand? You could get two 2x10’s and place them together as a top and it would create a slight overhang on all sides like the picture below and allow your tank to fully rest on the wood

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

You said you’re adding a top panel? What about side panels? Will this be a fully enclosed stand? You could get two 2x10’s and place them together as a top and it would create a slight overhang on all sides like the picture below and allow your tank to fully rest on the wood

My plan was 3/4" plywood for the top, and most likely 1/2" for the sides and back

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

My 40 breeder stuck out past the table, not nearly as strong as your stand, and it was just fine for the two years I had that tank.

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

My 40 breeder stuck out past the table, not nearly as strong as your stand, and it was just fine for the two years I had that tank.

Good to hear, I'm leaning towards leaving it be rather than redoing it, thanks for the input that's good to hear.

 

[fishybizzness]

Definitely not a problem once a plywood top and sides are put on with a rimmed tank
Even the rimless redsea tanks hang over the front of the stand so that when the doors are closed the front of the tank is flush with the door.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

On my current 220 stand, I bought a 73" x 25" piece of granite for $100 total. It had a small spot in the middle that was lower than the machined surface. The blemish didn't matter, the tank was going to cover it all the time anyway. I'll do the same thing for all my future stands and highly recommend it.

 

[piranhaman00]

With a piece of 3/4" ply you will be perfectly fine. My 180 sticks off 1/4", using thick plywood makes it no problem.

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

On my current 220 stand, I bought a 73" x 25" piece of granite for $100 total. It had a small spot in the middle that was lower than the machined surface. The blemish didn't matter, the tank was going to cover it all the time anyway. I'll do the same thing for all my future stands and highly recommend it.

That's not a bad idea, I like that. Maybe too late on this build though. Where did you source the granite?

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

A google search for a granite supply company in town. I’m sure there is a yard near you that the granite installers get their counter tops from.

 

[PacoPetty]

My plan was 3/4" plywood for the top, and most likely 1/2" for the sides and back

You won’t need anything else after you do that.