Safest Tall Stand Height?

[Aaron75]

Within about a week my new Waterbox 25 will be delivered. Dimensions are just under 24"x16" so I'll be building my stand as such. Now, I'd like the stand to be tall. I know 29"-30" is common for most pre built stands. I'd like to go to 36" or maybe even 40". With such a small frame I'm just worried about stability at those heights. I know we generally way overbuild our stuff so maybe it'll be fine. Appreciate any insight, recommendations or experience. Thanks.

 

[The_Paradox]

If there is any doubt about CG why not just anchor it to a stud?

 

[Aaron75]

If there is any doubt about CG why not just anchor it to a stud?

I prefer not to anchor it to the wall. We have kids and our room gets reorganized frequently due to whatever phase they're in or even holidays/gatherings.

 

[dansyr]

I just made a 40”L 14”W 36”H with the typical DIY 2x4 build so probably similar, with a 20L on top and it feels very stable. More stable than my other 20L on a 30” furniture piece…

 

[Aaron75]

I just made a 40”L 14”W 36”H with the typical DIY 2x4 build so probably similar, with a 20L on top and it feels very stable. More stable than my other 20L on a 30” furniture piece…

Ya, originally I was going to do 1x2, but i feel like 2x4 would offer much more stability

 

[theatrus]

Within about a week my new Waterbox 25 will be delivered. Dimensions are just under 24"x16" so I'll be building my stand as such. Now, I'd like the stand to be tall. I know 29"-30" is common for most pre built stands. I'd like to go to 36" or maybe even 40". With such a small frame I'm just worried about stability at those heights. I know we generally way overbuild our stuff so maybe it'll be fine. Appreciate any insight, recommendations or experience. Thanks.

Lots of prebuilt stands are 36". 40 is a bit higher than usual.

Give it a good base and make sure the bottom legs don't buckle. And don't let the kids climb on it, 80 lbs hanging off the side will be the actual problem in terms of stability, earthquakes aside.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I went 39 inches and didn't even give stability a single thought. Now 25 gallons is smaller, but still pretty heavy and wide enough that it would have to be a pretty hard hit to knock it over. How rambunctious are your kids? Not even sure if furniture straps would hold that hard of a hit. And if you go with straps, it would only take a little spackle to cover up the holes if and when you move it.

 

[The_Paradox]

I prefer not to anchor it to the wall. We have kids and our room gets reorganized frequently due to whatever phase they're in or even holidays/gatherings.

And a T-Bolt take less than a minute to secure or remove. Way less time than it will take to drain the tank to move it.

 

[Aaron75]

I went 39 inches and didn't even give stability a single thought. Now 25 gallons is smaller, but still pretty heavy and wide enough that it would have to be a pretty hard hit to knock it over. How rambunctious are your kids? Not even sure if furniture straps would hold that hard of a hit. And if you go with straps, it would only take a little spackle to cover up the holes if and when you move it.

I think I'm just going to use 2x4 wrapped with 3/4 ply. 36" tall should be plenty. I just checked my current tank and it's only 23". That's a pretty big difference.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Don't know how handy you are and what tools you have, but if you're using 3/4 to skin the stand, just use it to make the stand and skip the 2x4's. Otherwise, 1/4" or 3/8" is more than enough as a skin.

 

[Aaron75]

Don't know how handy you are and what tools you have, but if you're using 3/4 to skin the stand, just use it to make the stand and skip the 2x4's. Otherwise, 1/4" or 3/8" is more than enough as a skin.

Good idea, I'll definitely save some $ going thinner skin

 

[vetteguy53081]

Within about a week my new Waterbox 25 will be delivered. Dimensions are just under 24"x16" so I'll be building my stand as such. Now, I'd like the stand to be tall. I know 29"-30" is common for most pre built stands. I'd like to go to 36" or maybe even 40". With such a small frame I'm just worried about stability at those heights. I know we generally way overbuild our stuff so maybe it'll be fine. Appreciate any insight, recommendations or experience. Thanks.

Mine is custom made, and is 38" tall. My previous was 36" tall. The taller the stand, I recommend the thicker the wood

 

[redfishbluefish]

Might give you some ideas, but here's a stand being built for a 35 cube - 39 1/2 inches high; door held in place with neo magnets:

 

[Aaron75]

Might give you some ideas, but here's a stand being built for a 35 cube - 39 1/2 inches high; door held in place with neo magnets:

That's pretty close to the structure I'm going for, just want a middle shelf as well, thanks for the example.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'm at 46"

Oh the convenience of looking at the tank and working underneath.

Never again would I go with anything lower.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I prefer not to anchor it to the wall. We have kids and our room gets reorganized frequently due to whatever phase they're in or even holidays/gatherings.

When is the last time you moved your existing tank?

I'd about guarantee it won't be moved out of the room to host a family dinner and back in.

Having kids is another reason it Should be anchored to the wall.

 

[dansyr]

Good idea, I'll definitely save some $ going thinner skin

Yeah if it’s just skin go as thin as possible your hardware etc will allow. Main reason for 2x4 you see in common builds is it’s way easier/more forgiving to be able to drill into all 4 sides. Unnecessary, but convenient. Flip side is they take up a lot of inner room in your stand so if you had the budget planned out to do 3/4 ply everywhere, definitely do that and you can skimp or skip legs and maximize interior space.

 

[The_Paradox]

OI must be a midget or weirdo. I like the viewing angle of lower stands. Maybe because my tanks are by couch and desk. Only thing I do not, like as mentioned, is how horrendous working on things can be in tiny space.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I prefer tall stands as well. If it's for a smaller tanks, adding weight In the bottom of the stand has a lot if you are unable to anchor it to the wall. For example in the past I have gotten ahold of some granite countertop scams and laid them down in the bottom of the stand.

 

[nuxx]

My tank was also on a fairly tall stand, but the stand was metal and a beast. Also with all the water weight and size of the tank, it was never a concern.