New Stand and tank

James LaFrance · Jun 27, 2017

Alright, I'm considering building my own stand and tank. The tank will be a square, either 30" or 36" around and 24" tall. The stand will be 42" tall for easy viewing. The stand in the drawing has a flat edge all the way around the tank, with the part at the front being used for storage. My question on the tank support is this; the piece I show down the middle (running side to side), is it necessary for a tank that is 30" wide? The material for the stand is all 2x4, basically going off a design from DIY King on YouTube. I added a 2x4 at the bottom as a "dam" in case of small spills. The whole inside of the stand will get a couple coats of Killz and the outside will be some sort of wood (last stand I made I skinned with Mango).

Dr. Reef · Jun 28, 2017

I would keep a support in the middle or have 2 supports more closer to sides than middle.

Big G · Jun 28, 2017

Is your tank going to be glass or acrylic? Acrylic need more bottom support; where as a glass tank usually is only in need of support around the perimeter of the base.

jrlafrance · Jun 28, 2017

Big G said:
Is your tank going to be glass or acrylic? Acrylic need more bottom support; where as a glass tank usually is only in need of support around the perimeter of the base.

The tank will be glass, most likely low iron on three sides.

Big G · Jun 28, 2017

jrlafrance said:
The tank will be glass, most likely low iron on three sides.

I

I watched lots of videos, including DIY King, when I built my tank stand. I added a "dam" around the bottom as you mentioned. Here's a pic:

James LaFrance · Jun 30, 2017

Big G said:
I watched lots of videos, including DIY King, when I built my tank stand. I added a "dam" around the bottom as you mentioned.

What material did you build your stand out of? It looks very clean, and obviously stainable.

Big G · Jun 30, 2017

James LaFrance said:
What material did you build your stand out of? It looks very clean, and obviously stainable.

Red oak plywood and solid red oak planks. I didn't want a middle support in the front between the doors so it would be easier to install and maintain the sump for my 48" tank. So I laminated 3 pcs. Of 1x6 into a solid beam for the front top opening.

jrlafrance · Jun 30, 2017

I know this forum isn't full of structural engineers, but there must be some response to my original question! If I cover the whole top in plywood, I would imagine that the supports should be fine, I'm just looking for other opinions.

ndrwater · Jun 30, 2017

jrlafrance said:
I know this forum isn't full of structural engineers, but there must be some response to my original question! If I cover the whole top in plywood, I would imagine that the supports should be fine, I'm just looking for other opinions.

Although not a structural engineer, I am a cabinet maker. Your fine. You don't need the center brace. Plywood is amazingly strong, and having the entire top connected with plywood will help with racking.
You did a nice job on that stand...