Stand Build Feedback

Obsessed Reefer · Oct 20, 2021

I'm looking for some feedback and advice as I've never built anything like this before. The plan is to have an ADA 60P tank drilled with an Eshopps AR-100 sump in the cabinet. I want to have the front door and the right side panel fully detachable, ideally held on with magnets if possible. And the right side has a wider opening, as I want more access to the sump, and an easy way to install the sump into the stand if it doesn't fit through the door opening.

My main concern is the actual construction, from what I can research, I'll use 2.5" screws combined with wood glue for the main structure. Is there any other benefit to pocket holes and screws aside from not being visible?

Thanks in advance!

jgirardnrg · Oct 20, 2021

Pocket screws create a nice solid connection as well as being hidden. If you want more room you could build along the lines I did when I built the stand for my 60g cube.

Here's the inner core built from 3/4" pine I had left over from another project. It gave me more needed space under the stand:

I then "skinned" that with another layer overlapping the joints:

From the rear after adding the top trim, shelf and ADJ power strip:

Here it is completed before paint:

Doors on 3 sides so I can access everything easily. You could park my truck on that stand and I ended up with more space than I would have using 2x4 construction.

Jedi1199 · Oct 20, 2021

jgirardnrg said:
Pocket screws create a nice solid connection as well as being hidden. If you want more room you could build along the lines I did when I built the stand for my 60g cube.

Here's the inner core built from 3/4" pine I had left over from another project. It gave me more needed space under the stand:

I then "skinned" that with another layer overlapping the joints:

From the rear after adding the top trim, shelf and ADJ power strip:

Here it is completed before paint:

Doors on 3 sides so I can access everything easily. You could park my truck on that stand and I ended up with more space than I would have using 2x4 construction.

Very nice stand. You do good work. I agree that 2x4 is WAYYY overkill for a project like this. My stand is built from 3/4" ply and has comfortably held my 55g tank for over 30 years.

jgirardnrg · Oct 20, 2021

Jedi1199 said:
Very nice stand. You do good work. I agree that 2x4 is WAYYY overkill for a project like this. My stand is built from 3/4" ply and has comfortably held my 55g tank for over 30 years.

Thank you... you do nice work as well.

kagisexton · Oct 20, 2021

Wow, awesome stand.

Onewolf · Oct 20, 2021

Yes, just to pile on, I would build using 1x dimensional lumber or 3/4" plywood. The stand I originally built for my 40B tank using three 2x4 per corner and skinned with 3/4" plywood could support about 27,000 lbs.

mdb_talon · Oct 20, 2021

From what my bad eyes can see on you drawings that looks like a fine plan to me. The most common mistake i see with people new to building things is putting load on the screws and i dont see that anywhere in your design.

I agree with others that 2x4 is overkill. On the other hand there is nothing wrong with it other than taking up a bit more space

mdb_talon · Oct 20, 2021

jgirardnrg said:
Pocket screws create a nice solid connection as well as being hidden. If you want more room you could build along the lines I did when I built the stand for my 60g cube.

Here's the inner core built from 3/4" pine I had left over from another project. It gave me more needed space under the stand:

I then "skinned" that with another layer overlapping the joints:

From the rear after adding the top trim, shelf and ADJ power strip:

Here it is completed before paint:

Doors on 3 sides so I can access everything easily. You could park my truck on that stand and I ended up with more space than I would have using 2x4 construction.

Beautiful work