Large DIY wood stand

[piranhaman00]

Hello,
I’m planning a 84”36”24” high aquarium , stands from manufactures are very costly so I am running the idea of building my own. I recently built my own for a 150 that is working great so I have the first hand experience but this tank will be much bigger.

I plan on using the @RocketEngineer model but using 2x10s for all the boards, and 1/2” plywood skin with 1.5” plywood top. The sump will not be under the tank so the 2x10s limiting my ability to get under the tank is no problem.

Anyone build their own stand for large aquarium? Would this be strong enough with 2x10s? Weight would be about 4000lbs

Thanjs!

 

[DaneGer21]

My largest to date stand is a 60”x36” for a 60x36x24 tank. I also followed those DIY plans. I used 2x6 for my horizontal bottoms and tops, and 2x4 for all my vertical pieces, a piece of nice 3/4” plywood on top, and then a piece of 1” hard foam. No issues, or even a worry for me.

 

[fishface NJ]

Wouldn't 4x4 support?

 

[DaneGer21]

Wouldn't 4x4 support?

4x4’s aren’t as structural as one would think. IMO

 

[Gtinnel]

I have only built a stand for my 125, but even with my stand mostly using 2x6 I think it would hold a lot more weight than it currently is. I would think that with using 2x10 it would easily hold the weight.

Wouldn't 4x4 support?

It's usually not recommended to use 4x4 when building a stand. They often don't dry out uniformly due to the size and warp over time.

 

[piranhaman00]

My largest to date stand is a 60”x36” for a 60x36x24 tank. I also followed those DIY plans. I used 2x6 for my horizontal bottoms and tops, and 2x4 for all my vertical pieces, a piece of nice 3/4” plywood on top, and then a piece of 1” hard foam. No issues, or even a worry for me.

Looks beautiful, thanks for the post

I have only built a stand for my 125, but even with my stand mostly using 2x6 I think it would hold a lot more weight than it currently is. I would think that with using 2x10 it would easily hold the weight.


It's usually not recommended to use 4x4 when building a stand. They often don't dry out uniformly due to the size and warp over time.

That’s what I am thinking as well, thanks.

Thanks for the posts, I feel more confident in the wood stand now.
Now here is to hoping lumber comes down by next year.

 

[piranhaman00]

My largest to date stand is a 60”x36” for a 60x36x24 tank. I also followed those DIY plans. I used 2x6 for my horizontal bottoms and tops, and 2x4 for all my vertical pieces, a piece of nice 3/4” plywood on top, and then a piece of 1” hard foam. No issues, or even a worry for me.

Are you expecting a stand like this to last many years? Does bowing of wood concern you?

 

[DaneGer21]

Are you expecting a stand like this to last many years? Does bowing of wood concern you?

This stand will out live this tank 100%. With no water damage I assume it’ll last my lifetime for sure. Even for my tank it is over built. I have absolutely ZERO concerns about the integrity of this stand, it should essentially last forever; given no water damage occurs.

I was walking through the house a few weeks ago with my 6ft level, working on a different project, so I decided to toss my level on the top of the tank, it was still 100% level after a few years.

Here is my tank with the stand finished…