New Stand Build

[JohnC86]

Does anyone have a diagram or decent pictures of a new stand build? I build furniture as a hobby and I am looking for some designs for long aquarium stands. I recently won a Glasscages 100 gallon, (60"L x 18"W) at Reef a palooza in Orlando. The stand diagram/prints do not have to be the same dimensions as I can easy modify them.

 

[TX_REEF]

Congrats on the tank win!

You can check my tank thread if you’d like a simple guide on the framing portion. If you build furniture as a hobby, I’m sure the skinning and doors wouldn’t be too difficult, making sure it’s structurally sound is the only real consideration.

 

[NC AL]

My "My Tank Thread" has a few views of the structural aspect of my stand. It is approx 5' long, but could easily be adapted to 6'. It is for an AIO tank so a sump was not a concern in the build.

 

[Freenow54]

Does anyone have a diagram or decent pictures of a new stand build? I build furniture as a hobby and I am looking for some designs for long aquarium stands. I recently won a Glasscages 100 gallon, (60"L x 18"W) at Reef a palooza in Orlando. The stand diagram/prints do not have to

be the same dimensions as I can easy modify them.

No plan just out of my head. I make rougher stuff like fences and decks could not afford tools to do furniture. Anyway mine as is my habit overkill maybe

but mine is 100 as well plus rock. Here is picture. However no matter what you do I am glad that I put plexiglass in the bottom. Makes cleaning salt creep easier and inevitable water spills as well

 

[JohnC86]

My "My Tank Thread" has a few views of the structural aspect of my stand. It is approx 5' long, but could easily be adapted to 6'. It is for an AIO tank so a sump was not a concern in the build.

 

[JohnC86]

n/a

 

[JohnC86]

No plan just out of my head. I make rougher stuff like fences and decks could not afford tools to do furniture. Anyway mine as is my habit overkill maybe

but mine is 100 as well plus rock. Here is picture. However no matter what you do I am glad that I put plexiglass in the bottom. Makes cleaning salt creep easier and inevitable water spills as well

I am impressed with how the finished stand turned out, looks really nice! Thank you for the idea of the plexiglass for salt creep, I have some leftover starboard that I think I will use.

 

[JohnC86]

My "My Tank Thread" has a few views of the structural aspect of my stand. It is approx 5' long, but could easily be adapted to 6'. It is for an AIO tank so a sump was not a concern in the build.

BEAUTIFUL craftmanship!! That gives me great ideas for the structural support, thank you.

 

[JohnC86]

Congrats on the tank win!

You can check my tank thread if you’d like a simple guide on the framing portion. If you build furniture as a hobby, I’m sure the skinning and doors wouldn’t be too difficult, making sure it’s structurally sound is the only real consideration.

Thank you for the link. The structural support looks great and I think I will use your ideas.

 

[JohnC86]

Does anyone have a diagram or decent pictures of a new stand build? I build furniture as a hobby and I am looking for some designs for long aquarium stands. I recently won a Glasscages 100 gallon, (60"L x 18"W) at Reef a palooza in Orlando. The stand diagram/prints do not have to be the same dimensions as I can easy modify them.

For the structural support, length wise, does anyone know if I used 4x4s, if I could get away without center vertical braces?

 

[NC AL]

For the structural support, length wise, does anyone know if I used 4x4s, if I could get away without center vertical braces?

I am not an expert, but with a wood structure over a 6' span, I think it would be hard. Wood is not a rigid as you would want for a glass tank. Weight wouldn't be an issue. Its just the stand bowing in the middle creating uneven distribution on the glass.

I considered doing one in the back and then a diagonal brace to the front. However with this being my first large stand, I didn't want to risk it.

Also using 2x6 for the top frame might make it possible?

 

[twentyleagues]

For the structural support, length wise, does anyone know if I used 4x4s, if I could get away without center vertical braces?

I have 2 125g stacked on a stand I built. I used 2x6 for the horizontals no center supports just on the ends has been running since 2019 no bowing or deflection.

 

[NC AL]

For the structural support, length wise, does anyone know if I used 4x4s, if I could get away without center vertical braces?

I was thinking more about this. You could probably accomplish this with layers of 8" wide strips of plywood pressed and glued together. This is what they use for homes and might give you the rigidity you need.

 

[NC AL]

I have 2 125g stacked on a stand I built. I used 2x6 for the horizontals no center supports just on the ends has been running since 2019 no bowing or deflection.

Was this over a 6' length? If so that is good to know for any future stands.

 

[twentyleagues]

Screwed and glued.

 

[twentyleagues]

Was this over a 6' length? If so that is good to know for any future stands.

Yes 6' 125s.

 

[fishface NJ]

I am not an expert, but with a wood structure over a 6' span, I think it would be hard. Wood is not a rigid as you would want for a glass tank. Weight wouldn't be an issue. Its just the stand bowing in the middle creating uneven distribution on the glass.

I considered doing one in the back and then a diagonal brace to the front. However with this being my first large stand, I didn't want to risk it.

Also using 2x6 for the top frame might make it possible?

Upper and lower vertical rail: 2x4 for 48" or less (rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2x6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; for longer spans and larger tank 2x8 are recommended

 

[Fish Fan]

I am not an expert, but with a wood structure over a 6' span, I think it would be hard. Wood is not a rigid as you would want for a glass tank. Weight wouldn't be an issue. Its just the stand bowing in the middle creating uneven distribution on the glass.

I considered doing one in the back and then a diagonal brace to the front. However with this being my first large stand, I didn't want to risk it.

Also using 2x6 for the top frame might make it possible?

I'm not an expert either, but I know who is ;)

Rocket Engineer is an active member of R2R and would likely help you if needed. Here's a stand design that he authored years ago on Reef Central that many, many hobbyist have used to build stands of all sizes.

DIY Stands Template and Calculator - Reef Central Online Community

DIY Stands Template and Calculator Do It Yourself

www.reefcentral.com

You can skin that 2x frame with a variety of materials, from plywood to panel boards, add some trim, and you have a very nice and sturdy stand.

From Rocket Engineer's plans above he writes:
"(2) Red - Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48" or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72" with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended."

So for a 100 gallon tank with 60" length, use 2x6's and no center support will be needed. I *believe* Rocket Engineer specifically warns against using 4x4's, I believe because they remain moist in the center, and are prone to twisting, but maybe double check that with RE.

 

[Fish Fan]

I believe a 100 gallon tank stand could be made from just 3/4" plywood. I have a 75 gallon on a 3/4 plywood stand, been setup close to 13 years (freshwater) with no problems.

 

[Fish Fan]

I was thinking more about this. You could probably accomplish this with layers of 8" wide strips of plywood pressed and glued together. This is what they use for homes and might give you the rigidity you need.

I’m doing something like this for my next build, a 150 gallon tank. I’m glueing up multiple layers of plywood, fingers crossed this holds, but I think it will. Here’s what I have so far, I’m still working on the stand. The full weight of the tank will be supported by 3/4”+3/4”+1/2” plywood. I’m also trying to eliminate the center brace. The black pad in the photo is the tank's mat, so that's the footprint of the tank.