Tight Fit

[Scott chilton]

So when making the stand for my 60B build at the last moment I decided to use 2x6s for the top. Not thinking of the 2 inches of space I’m gonna lose in the sump area. Is this doable? Or do I have to redo this stand? Theres about 6.5 inches of vertical space.

 

[KrisReef]

Depends on how you attach the top to the legs, I guess? Think 10 foot ceiling and know the total height will be higher.
HTH.

 

[Scott chilton]

Depends on how you attach the top to the legs, I guess? Think 10 foot ceiling and know the total height will be higher.
HTH.

Pictures don’t want to upload to the app today to show u guys what I mean

 

[Scott chilton]

Pics for reference

 

[twentyleagues]

I guess it all depends on how you built the stand and your preferences. I dont like to struggle with getting stuff out of or into my sump. Just so you know a 60b does not need 2x6 for support 2x4 would be plenty, but if its done its done. I built a stand for 2 125gs the horizontals are 2x6 and all the verticals are 2x4. Overall it works but to leave enough room to work in the bottom one I left 18" between the top of the bottom tank and the bottom of the top horizontal support, this puts the bottom tank on a 2x6 on the floor so its low workable and actually viewing is not terrible the top tank need a step stool to work in thats a pain. The top tank is basically face level with me and its top is roughly at the top of my head which is 6'. I would not do this again the challenges of working in the top tank are more than I want to deal with most days. Being 6' tanks though you need 2x6 4' only need 2x4.

 

[twentyleagues]

Pics for reference

Looks good. Biggest issue will be getting skimmer out and in if you are using one. Doing maintenance will probably be cumbersome.

 

[Scott chilton]

I guess it all depends on how you built the stand and your preferences. I dont like to struggle with getting stuff out of or into my sump. Just so you know a 60b does not need 2x6 for support 2x4 would be plenty, but if its done its done. I built a stand for 2 125gs the horizontals are 2x6 and all the verticals are 2x4. Overall it works but to leave enough room to work in the bottom one I left 18" between the top of the bottom tank and the bottom of the top horizontal support, this puts the bottom tank on a 2x6 on the floor so its low workable and actually viewing is not terrible the top tank need a step stool to work in thats a pain. The top tank is basically face level with me and its top is roughly at the top of my head which is 6'. I would not do this again the challenges of working in the top tank are more than I want to deal with most days. Being 6' tanks though you need 2x6 4' only need 2x4.

Yea, I wanted a nice “shallow look down”tank. I’ve dealt with the step stool on my last tank and didn’t want that.
I read conflicting things with the 2x4 or 2x6 top with a open sump area without the center vertical brace. So I aired on the side of caution.
Guess it’s back to the drawing board building a new stand. ***

 

[Scott chilton]

Pics for reference

Looks good. Biggest issue will be getting skimmer out and in if you are using one. Doing maintenance will probably be cumbersome.

Skimmer issue was my first thought. That and the plumbing. Mainly the gate valve

 

[twentyleagues]

Yea, I wanted a nice “shallow look down”tank. I’ve dealt with the step stool on my last tank and didn’t want that.
I read conflicting things with the 2x4 or 2x6 top with a open sump area without the center vertical brace. So I aired on the side of caution.
Guess it’s back to the drawing board building a new stand. ***

I get the safety thoughts. I did a lot of asking and reading when I built my first stand for a 75g as well. 2x4 was fine never had any issues and looking at this build you'll be fine, it looks like you built it well. Going back to the start is a tough call wood isnt cheap anymore, plus time spent. Working space is nice though, I had thought about plumbing as well. Its very irksome to work in space constraints, more room the better imo. I am not a master carpenter probably the farthest from it or a structural engineer. Its tough to do what it is you are doing and have the space needed seems there is going to be give and take on both ends. You'll just have to find a happy middle ground in the design where the tank isnt too high to get what you want out of it and working space in the sump area. Try searching @RocketEngineer they have a lot of designs for stands, maybe they will reply here as well with an idea or two to help you out. There was a recent reposting they did on stand builds it was not specific to what you are doing and I didnt follow any of the links as I have read them all in the past. I will post a link to it. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/basic-diy-stand-calculator.1138386/#post-14017870

 

[lapin]

If you are concerned about 2x4 without a center brace. Add a middle stringer length wise and add some blocking. That will distribute the weight.