Need help with DIY stand.

[Velcro]

I'm looking to build a stand for a rimless 48x30x13 glass frag tank. I have a couple questions.

1) Do I need to use plywood on the top or can I skip, since the bottom of the tank does have a plastic rim. Wasn't sure if it's needed to prevent the stand from twist.

2) Do I need to have a center brace for can this tank be support just by the four corners

The design that I want to use is the typical one like this picture, minus the front ledge:

 

[Brew12]

1) Do I need to use plywood on the top or can I skip, since the bottom of the tank does have a plastic rim. Wasn't sure if it's needed to prevent the stand from twist.

If the tank manufacturer tells you that you need to use a pad under the tank then I would use a plywood top. If it does have a full supporting rim on the bottom the plywood and pad shouldn't be needed. No, it isn't needed for torsion.

2) Do I need to have a center brace for can this tank be support just by the four corners

I have a 60"x30"x24" tank that I built a stand for and it has no center support in the front. To make sure I had minimal sag (rimless tank) I did use larger cross members.

 

[Velcro]

If the tank manufacturer tells you that you need to use a pad under the tank then I would use a plywood top. If it does have a full supporting rim on the bottom the plywood and pad shouldn't be needed. No, it isn't needed for torsion.

I have a 60"x30"x24" tank that I built a stand for and it has no center support in the front. To make sure I had minimal sag (rimless tank) I did use larger cross members.

Thanks!

 

[don_chuwish]

I'd model the cross bracing after the plastic trim - if it has a center strip supporting the glass there then put a 2x4 under it. Plywood top is not required but it sure is handy for attaching things to the ceiling of the stand. I used 3/4" just for the 'meat' to put a screw in from underneath if I wanted to.

 

[George Lopez]

I believe the center brace is less for supporting the tank and more for keeping the laterals from bowing out. The tank should be fine just sitting on the rim but as stated before by Don i use it to hand things off of too... also if you are spanning more then 4feet use 2x6 to prevent sagging for the top frame

 

[Matthew Frost]

I built my stand for a 90 gallon acrylic, you don't need a brace but use a 2x6 for the two top laterals. DEFINITELY put a piece of plywood on the top even if it is just 1/2" thick.