Stand Build Confirmation

dbl · Oct 4, 2015

Building stand for my neighbor for a 65g fresh water, with a 48" x 12" footprint. I'm pretty sure this will support the weight, but just looking for some confirmation. Built frame out of 1" x 4" clear pine matching those deminsions. I will add some horizontal cross members, front to back, on the top and bottom. No center brace, but obviously I will build some doors.

Top will be 3/4" solid wood I will biscuit and glue to make a panel. He wants 6" or so over hang, but as long as tank is positioned over frame, I'm thinking it will be fine. A few picture below for progress.

So, you stand experts out there, do you think this is okay structurally or am I missing something. Thanks in advance for your help.

Windy · Oct 4, 2015

I would double the horizontal member over the front with 3/4" ply glued and screwed to the inside. Won't show and will more than double that single piece over a long span. Might consider a couple of cross braces under the top. Other than that, I see no reason it won't hold a 65 gal.

dbl · Oct 4, 2015

Thanks Windy. When adding the plywood to the long horizontal member, should it also be supported by another "leg" or simply applied to the existing 1 x 4? And yes, I will be adding cross members up top, not only for support (if any) but so I have something to screw to top to. Same for the bottom when I add a shelf.

Windy · Oct 5, 2015

The doubler does not have to sit on the legs.

dbl · Oct 5, 2015

Thanks again Windy...I appreciate your help.

dbl · Oct 6, 2015

Quick update. Reinforced the long spans and added cross members up top. Also got doors built. Need to finish lower shelf and cross members and the top. Should be strong enough to support a fresh 65g. If not, I may have to move!

Windy · Oct 7, 2015

Nice work. I especially like it because it is well crafted. It isn't built like a fort with 4 x 4 corners and 2 x 8 's

zemuss · Oct 7, 2015

Nice work indeed.

redfishbluefish · Oct 7, 2015

Very nicely done! My only 2 cents is that I'd prefer a 3/4 plywood top with a pine edge applied.....with the tank on the top, you won't be able to tell. The reason is plywood is more stable than a board top....that could warp, twist, etc.

Again, great woodworking!

dbl · Oct 7, 2015

Thanks to all for the comments. If you look at my personal build thread for my 120g, you'll see I completely overbuilt my stand. I'm pretty sure I could park my SUV I brought the wood home in on that stand! I was hoping Windy and Redfish would chime in here as I've read numerious comments from you both on stand construction and highly respect your knowledge.

Redfish...I've already built the top panel out of some leftover aspen I had from a previous project. It's drying now after being biscuit joined, glued and clamped. I can scrap it if you think I should and go with the plywood as suggested. Does that make any difference vs. using pine boards in your mind? I'm not well versed in the various woods like you folks so I will take your lead.

zemuss · Oct 7, 2015

So wait your putting a top on this? Is the tank that will sit on it bare bottom? Is the tank framed?

I always understood a framed tank shouldn't sit on a flat surface unless that flat surface has no low spot. If you do it can cause stress and eventually crack it. I threw away a build because of it.

dbl · Oct 7, 2015

Yes, the stand will have a top on it, construction of said top is still up in the air! My client (aka non-paying neighbor) wants a roughly 6"overhang on each side of the tank. Not sure why, but it is his after all.

I've never read where a tank, beit framed or not, shouldn't rest atop a flat surface. My personal framed 120g is sitting on top of a 3/4" piece of oak plywood as an example. The difference I've read is whether or not to use a piece of padding under the tank - framed not needed, unframed needed to handle any imperfections.

Now you've got me worried, both for my neighbor and more importantly, me personally!!!

zemuss · Oct 7, 2015

Nothing to worry about. Normally you see stands made where the framed tank will sit on the edges so a cover isn't needed.

I am only going on past information. I am sure the people more experienced in stand building will chime in.

dbl · Oct 13, 2015

I hate it when I look at a thread that has no conclusion. So I'm making this final post now that I've finished the build. I feel very comfortable this will be more than ample to support a 65g tank, especially after the great responses and advice I've received.

Anyway, here's a few pictures of the final product. My neighbor is going to finish it to his desire (he's hinted a black finish) and to meet his decor. I stained a couple scraps with an ebony stain and it looks pretty nice, but I'm guessing he'll paint it black.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike in CT · Oct 13, 2015

Nice job sir!

Mike in CT · Oct 13, 2015

What do you think about the overhang? I am going to build a stand for my sons 20, and I'm thinking about leaving a overhang so he could have his food handy. I was not sure if it would look funny.

dbl · Oct 13, 2015

Mike in CT said:
What do you think about the overhang? I am going to build a stand for my sons 20, and I'm thinking about leaving a overhang so he could have his food handy. I was not sure if it would look funny.

Personally I can take it or leave it. This was built for neighbor and he requested the overhang. He wanted a larger one but I refused because it looked too odd. Once the tank is in place, it's only 6" on either side.

kschweer · Oct 13, 2015

Very nice work!!

jlanger · Oct 13, 2015

I haven't seen this build until now...

Nice job!
Hopefully your neighbor finishes the stand just as well.
I'd hate to see a quality build get mussed up by a subpar finish.