Stand construction - input please

[Paul_N]

I am going to be making a custom stand for a 72"X24"X30" tank. The wall it's going up against is 84" and has a corner to the right. Instead of making a free standing frame and skinning it, I would like to make something I can attach to the wall and then just skin it so that it has the built in look. I wanted to use 2X6's due to the weight and size. I wanted to make it span the entire length of the wall and attach the back and right side 2X6 to the wall and make it like a custom counter stand. Do you see any issues with doing this as opposed to a free standing one. I was still going to brace the back and and right side just like the rest with 2X4's running vertically down to the bottom part of the stand/frame. Sketch Up would really come in handy to explain but I haven't got the hang of it yet. Let me know your thoughts and if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[aquarius77]

I would think it would be better attached to the wall than free standing. From what you explained, the built in look is sounding very nice.

 

[Stray32]

Cantilever from the wall would make it stronger than free standing IMO. I think your plan is sound, using 2x6 as a ledger board against the wall. You would basically be building a deck to set the tank on if I am envisioning it correctly? For a tank that size and weight, I would consider using 4x4 legs instead of 2x4.

 

[Paul_N]

Yeah you guys get the general idea. I was just going to make a counter top attached on the back and right side. I was thinking of doing a ceramic tile top. I just want to make sure that it will be ok this way. I would rather have some overkill with this amount of weight.

Jared, I was thinking 4X4 also, but I thought I read somewhere that it would be better to double up on 2X4. I think it was in the stand thread over on RC by Rocketengineer.

Thanks guys.

 

[rybitski]

doubling up 2x4's is almost 50% stronger. Glue them together using some wood glue and screws.

 

[DaveMorris]

I have the stand for my 300g display tank attached to the wall and it is rock solid. Make sure you are paying attention to the level. My floor was over 1/2" off in some places. I found it to be much easier building the stand in place. I did the doubled-up 2x4 thing for the legs, but people always seem to underestimate the linear strength of wood. You could easily do a stand like that with single 2x4 legs. Just make sure you are picking up quality wood, not the cheapo bent studs at HD. I like mine because all of my filtration equipment is behind the wall, so my stand is wide open underneath.

 

[Paul_N]

I have the stand for my 300g display tank attached to the wall and it is rock solid. Make sure you are paying attention to the level. My floor was over 1/2" off in some places. I found it to be much easier building the stand in place. I did the doubled-up 2x4 thing for the legs, but people always seem to underestimate the linear strength of wood. You could easily do a stand like that with single 2x4 legs. Just make sure you are picking up quality wood, not the cheapo bent studs at HD. I like mine because all of my filtration equipment is behind the wall, so my stand is wide open underneath.

Thanks for the input. My hardwood floors are far from level, they are out of level from side to side the way the tank will be set up. My current 75 gal setup is not level at all and the main reason I have a canopy on the top of the tank because it hides the water level. I wanted to install/build the back top and right side top first since they will be attached to the wall. I was going to secure those pieces with some heavy duty spring toggle bolts. The ones I seen are rated for up to 400 pounds for shear, so If I put in 6 or so over the 7 ft span I should be ok. I will also be putting 2X4's running vertically along the back wall to support the weight. I think I am going to jump into Sketch Up and diagram it before I start. I actually have most of the wood purchased already. I did buy the grade A stuff like you said. I think the Lowe"s employee got ticked because I tore the entire pile apart to pick out the pieces I wanted. I just have to buy the sheets to skin it and the trim I want to put on it. I am also going to line the bottom with the rubber shower pan liner and install a drain and hose to run down to my basement in case of any spillage or even use it to do water changes and drain the old water out. I will definitely be taking my time with this and doing it right. There is a local company that does incredible work and they did my entertainment center and desk(6 1/2 ' wide by 3' deep with a hutch/cabinets that make the unit over 7' tall) that is in the same room as my tank but they are $$$ and I just don't have the funds at the moment or I would just have them do it.

 

[Harry_Y]

I dont know if this will help or not

Here are a few pics from when I built my stand

The Frame

The 180 on the frame

Looking behind The Aquaruim

 

[Paul_N]

I dont know if this will help or not

Here are a few pics from when I built my stand

The Frame

The 180 on the frame

Looking behind The Aquaruim

That is pretty much it. Did you put anything between the frame and the tank? What did you use to attach it to the wall?

 

[Harry_Y]

The tank sits right on the frame

My understanding is that on a Glass tank
You do not want anything under it.

To attach it to the wall I used 3" long deck screws.

The whole frame was built with waterproof wood glue
and deck screws.

I skinned it later with wainscoting after the tank was
on it, then painted it with satin black paint.

I then used a router to cut the openings and had a local
shop make me doors for it.

On the side wings I used plywood and put Floor tile that
looks like marble on it (it actually looks like a piece of marble).

I need to take a pic of the completed stand.