Stand for 180

[Courtney Dudoussat]

I’m paying someone to make a stand for the 180. He has previously built a stand for an in wall build and showed me pictures but I thought to post here just in case, cause I’m a paranoid freak. We’re sticking the sump in before adding the top braces. What do y’all think? The outside will be sitting on the plywood. The thought of just ply wood scares me though I’ve seen other people do it. There are 2x4s in each corner of the plywood side. I just don’t want to be getting screwed. Please tell me I’m not getting screwed lol.

 

[Big G]

I have seen plywood delaminate between the layers of veneers. Those 3-4" wide upright areas (front?) would give me concern. Especially in softwood plywood like your builder used.

 

[Courtney Dudoussat]

I have seen plywood delaminate between the layers of veneers. Those 3-4" wide upright areas (front?) would give me concern. Especially in softwood plywood like your builder used.

So what should I do or tell him? I don’t know enough about wood hence why I’m not doing this myself lol

 

[Big G]

If that was my stand, I'd add another layer of 3/4" plywood with the grain running perpendicular to the first layer. Glue, clamp and screw the additional layer. Remind him you are going to have near to 2000 pounds of tank and water sitting on that stand.

 

[marvelousone]

If was me I would have 2*4 frame all the way around. Then skin it with the plywood. You say your adding the sump before the top braces. I would build it to were you could remove a couple braces to be able to remove your sump. On mine I have it where the middle braces in the front with 2 doors can be removed. If you need to take out sump to clean it or what ever. This is my 180 with the stand I built.

 

[Courtney Dudoussat]

If was me I would have 2*4 frame all the way around. Then skin it with the plywood. You say your adding the sump before the top braces. I would build it to were you could remove a couple braces to be able to remove your sump. On mine I have it where the middle braces in the front with 2 doors can be removed. If you need to take out sump to clean it or what ever. This is my 180 with the stand I built.

Turns out my walls are 2x2 and not 2x4
So we will have to add a couple inches more onto the stand. I was thinking of extending the top base and just adding 2x4s in these spots... do you think that could work?
I really don’t care about looks so much lol

 

[Nick blinkin]

I would look up the blueprints off of here, i found them buried somewhere in a thread and used them to build my stand from 2X4s and it works wonderful.

 

[dugthefish]

Plywood is actually stronger than dimensional lumber, provided quality sheets are used correctly (modern wood framed structures now commonly use I beams and joists made from 1/2" ply).

That being said, the guy you hired is using scrap lumber for your material (if he claims he's not, ask why he's using fire retardant lumber), the lowest grade plywood available (CDX/wall sheeting), and the bed of his pickup truck for a work surface. I'd find a different stand maker.

 

[Ryan115]

I agree with the ability to remove, or get better access to the sump. I also agree about the quality of lumber.
Plywood stands work, if you use good plywood.
Here is the stand I built for my 180g. It allowed full access underneath.

This shows the addition of the gussets (as well as the waterproof "pan" for the bottom.

This stand had no attached wrap, as that was made to be completely removable.

 

[dugthefish]

I agree with the ability to remove, or get better access to the sump. I also agree about the quality of lumber.
Plywood stands work, if you use good plywood.
Here is the stand I built for my 180g. It allowed full access underneath.

This shows the addition of the gussets (as well as the waterproof "pan" for the bottom.

This stand had no attached wrap, as that was made to be completely removable.

Is that a 2x8 frame?

 

[davocean]

Is this for a trimmed or trimless tank?

I would have preferred a good horizontal on top of legs, 2x6 or 2x8 to cover that span, but as Big G mentioned another ply layer w/ opposing grain well glued and screwed would add good strength.

I also would never want my sump trapped inside like it sounds like you are doing, just in case it ever fails or needs to be replaced

 

[Ryan115]

Is that a 2x8 frame?

2x8s to span the top spans.
3x 2x4s on each corner, two for the load and 1 to prevent racking.
Stand was 40" tall.

Anything worth doing, is worth over-doing....

 

[rfischer]

My last stand was double layers of plywood and nothing else. It was for a four foot 120 tank and it was incredibly strong. I didn’t build it, the previous owner of the tank did. I don’t blame you for being skeptical of the one being built for you.

I have since built a new, taller stand for the 120 using plans similar to the 2x4 stand shown in this thread. Much more room and way easier to remove my sump if necessary.