Stand question

[Wildreefs]

I currently have a stand for a planet tank, 60 by 24. Stand was build by planet and has 3/4 inch plywood across the top by them

Tank started to leak, it is now drained. I am eyeing up an acrylic tank, which is 56 long and 24 across. If I put in on as is, the front and back would sit on the edges of the plywood, but being the tank is 4 inches shorter, the tank would be 2 inches short on the left and right side.

If I add another 3/4 pieces of plywood on top of the one that is already there, would that support this acrylic tank? Or do I have to put supports in under these 2 pieces of plywood?

 

[mann1139]

What does the support under the plywood look like? Can you double or triple the ends to put support under the new edges?

 

[Wildreefs]

Just the edges of the cabinet. I can put 2 2 by 4 pieces across under the plywood as a brace ?

 

[Wildreefs]

Bump

 

[UncommonSense]

Can you share pictures of what supports this plywood? Plywood is not intended to be load bearing without supports!

 

[Wildreefs]

Can you share pictures of what supports this plywood? Plywood is not intended to be load bearing without supports!

It’s a planet stand. So plywood cabinet, the trim of that glass tank was on the plywood , the edges above the plywood sides.

Now that an acrylic tank will be going on there , I was hoping another sheet of 3/4 ply on top of what’s there would be enough support in the middle

 

[UncommonSense]

It’s a planet stand. So plywood cabinet, the trim of that glass tank was on the plywood , the edges above the plywood sides.

Now that an acrylic tank will be going on there , I was hoping another sheet of 3/4 ply on top of what’s there would be enough support in the middle

You really want at least 2x4-2x6 on edge under the long spans, ideally… I’m unfamiliar with planet aquarium stands, and their specific construction…

 

[exnisstech]

Some pics would probably help

 

[Wildreefs]

It’s just like most cabinet stands with thick plywood on top, no supports across from front to back, plywood sits noon the walls
Of the cabinet

 

[UncommonSense]

It’s just like most cabinet stands with thick plywood on top, no supports across from front to back, plywood sits noon the walls
Of the cabinet

I’d need to see up inside the stand to really have a clue of what we’re working with here…

it’s likely that the stand will need some structural reinforcement beyond just doubling up plywood to support a rimless acrylic tank!

 

[Wildreefs]

lol I will try to get a pic, when you look up there it’s literally just a plywood, as if you built a stand out of 2 by 4s then screwed a sheet of plywood to the top

 

[UncommonSense]

lol I will try to get a pic, when you look up there it’s literally just a plywood, as if you built a stand out of 2 by 4s then screwed a sheet of plywood to the top

In that case; you’d be good just doing 3-4 2x4s on edge from front to back of stand, equally spaced, fastened with lag screws… the furthest left, and furthest right 2x4 should be under the left and right side of the slightly shorter tank… that will prevent the acrylic tank’s bottom from bowing in the center, and subsequently bowing the plywood!

Also, a rimless tank should have a closed cell foam pad under the whole bottom; I recommend a 1/4-1/2” thick yoga mat, or similar!

 

[Wildreefs]

Ok so if I get three 2x4’s,cut them to fit in between the back of the stand, touching the first original sheet of plywood , and the front of the stand, with 2 lag screws on each side (2 for back, 2 for front) (any specific lag screw?) , then finish off with a second sheet of 3/4 inch plywood?

Lastly, the yoga mat, any specific kind jump out to use? And the bottom of this acrylic tank has 4 holes, I will have to use a hole saw to cut 2 inch holes into the plywood for that, obvious no support around those holes , I’m guess I will need to cut 2.5 inch holes into order to get hand in there to tighten bulkhead. So it will be no wood there, no foam, for say a half inch around
Those holes? Sorry for the questions, I’m used to glass

 

[UncommonSense]

Ok so if I get three 2x4’s,cut them to fit in between the back of the stand, touching the first original sheet of plywood , and the front of the stand, with 2 lag screws on each side (2 for back, 2 for front) (any specific lag screw?) , then finish off with a second sheet of 3/4 inch plywood?

This should do it! 1/4”-5/16” shank diameter lags should be sufficient in this application!

You won’t even need the second sheet of plywood over the first, but can add it if it makes you feel more comfortable!

 

[Wildreefs]

This should do it! 1/4”-5/16” shank diameter lags should be sufficient in this application!

You won’t even need the second sheet of plywood over the first, but can add it if it makes you feel more comfortable!

Awesome, and do I need to have supports of 2 by 4 coming up from the bottom to support those two by 4s across? Like when you build a stand yourself and you have those 2 by 4 that take the weight of the 2 by 4 box up top?

 

[UncommonSense]

Awesome, and do I need to have supports of 2 by 4 coming up from the bottom to support those two by 4s across? Like when you build a stand yourself and you have those 2 by 4 that take the weight of the 2 by 4 box up top?

That would be ideal, but I assumed you wanted the maximum volume in the stand for a sump!

Your stand is designed to hold up the perimeter of a larger tank than you currently have, weight wise… So, assuming it hasn’t warped from water damage, and the floor is level; the primary concern here is that you’re now supporting the whole bottom of the tank, not just the perimeter!

The 2x4 “legs” are very strong, but not strictly necessary here! If you have space, I’d add them still…