Stand strength/medication

[ryewalk84]

I want to adjust the stand that came with my aquarium and make it wider. The tank is a 125 gallon acrylic 72x18. I would like to make the stand about 24 inches wide. Do you think running a 2x4 (front to back) 24” in from each side would be strong enough to support the tank? I’d also put a solid piece of plywood over it.

 

[Brew12]

I want to adjust the stand that came with my aquarium and make it wider. The tank is a 125 gallon acrylic 72x18. I would like to make the stand about 24 inches wide. Do you think running a 2x4 (front to back) 24” in from each side would be strong enough to support the tank? I’d also put a solid piece of plywood over it.

Odds are that it would be fine although I think I would use 4 2x4's and not just 2 of them.

Wouldn't it be easier to just build a new frame to join to the old one and cover with a single sheet of plywood?

 

[ryewalk84]

Odds are that it would be fine although I think I would use 4 2x4's and not just 2 of them.

Wouldn't it be easier to just build a new frame to join to the old one and cover with a single sheet of plywood?

Yes, Ideally I would build a new stand to accommodate what I want. However, the chances of getting rid of the current one are highly unlikely.

 

[mrpizzaface]

I would probably forgo the 2x4's and double up on the plywood. two layers of 3/4 glued and screwed, with only 3" of overhang on the front and back you should be fine. The stand will want to be less stable this way(with the over hang), so you need to be sure you do a really good job of leveling it before you add your water.