View Full Version : Final Stand Plans, Need a Critque
SuBXeRo
08-25-2008, 9:10 PM
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=243&pictureid=2079
I'll explain it for those who are confused. The whole thing is made out of 2x4's and the bottom brace system is actually a bottom sheld which i will be putting plywood over. the top of the posts are 4 braces which will be connected to the table top and then laid betwen the posts so that they can be fastened. After that, the sides and rear will be covered with plywood so that it will help prevent lateral movement and what not.
The stand is 48" wide by like 36" tall and 18 inches deep. The top finish board will be 50 by 20. Does this stand look ridig enought o hold atleast 900lbs?
I'm no expert but I believe that you have enough vertical support to hold the weight. I'm not sure you have enough enough support to prevent shear forces. A couple of angle braces would help immensely. Maybe some of the engineers can tell more from the drawing than I can. I usually overbuild (The chicken coop I built as a teenager withstood a tornado and a tree falling on it. The house got smashed pretty good but the chickens were just fine.)
Also be sure to use a waterproof poly or lacquer to finish the stand off.
nguyendetecting
08-25-2008, 9:56 PM
looks good to mean, I would move the four braces you have on the bottom flush with the floor. But I am no means anything close to know what I'm talking about, I did build a 55 stand and housed a 20long underneath. And yours looks alot better than mine did. Lol. Having a section underneath for another tank is very very handy. I built my top large enough to put my canisters behind the tank. My tank was also blacked out so you couldn't see the stuff back there anyway. Your plans looks good... just my 2 cents.
heres a do it yourself site that is handy... I saw it after I built mine but I would of followed some of the plans if I had seen it earlier
http://cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_list.php
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 9:58 PM
For a 55 gallon - correct?
2 2x4s screwed together for the corners may be a good idea. It may be overkill. If it were my tank (and house), overkill wouldn't be a bad thing. Also, it's all hidden in the end anyway. With plywood covering the frame, I don't think "rigid" will be a problem.
Alan R
08-25-2008, 10:08 PM
For a 55 gallon - correct?
2 2x4s screwed together for the corners may be a good idea. It may be overkill. If it were my tank (and house), overkill wouldn't be a bad thing. Also, it's all hidden in the end anyway. With plywood covering the frame, I don't think "rigid" will be a problem.
That is WAY over kill for a 55. Save some money.
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 10:11 PM
It's about 3 dollars!
Alan R
08-25-2008, 10:14 PM
Check this out.
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/gafishfanatic/My%20DIY%20Stand/009.jpg
This is the start of stand i am making for a 46 gallon. Just the frame. This is all that will be holding the weight. This is the equivalent of 4 2x4's standing on end. i have no idea how much actual weight it will hold, I haven't bothered to do the math, but I will guarantee it for 500 lbs and it will hold more than that.
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 10:17 PM
Excellent!
What I am saying is simple - if it's my tank and my house, overkill is gonna' happen - that's all there is to it. There's no reason not to - only a couple more dollars and it's all hidden anyway. There are hundreds of opinions on here - that's mine.
johnlarson66
08-25-2008, 10:21 PM
I am no engineer, but it looks stable enough for that much weight and more.
I think the plywood and 2X4's will make it very strong. I would use screws and not nails.
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 10:23 PM
I would use screws and not nails.
Absolutely ...
I would also use half lap and mortice and tenon joints (or dadoes) ... gives much more gluing surface - the more gluing surface, the stronger the joint!
Alan R
08-25-2008, 10:29 PM
Excellent!
What I am saying is simple - if it's my tank and my house, overkill is gonna' happen - that's all there is to it. There's no reason not to - only a couple more dollars and it's all hidden anyway. There are hundreds of opinions on here - that's mine.
i don't disagree. Did you see the stand i built for my parents in another thread? My Dad had many concerns about weight with the 125g I bought them. So just to shut him up i built the stand so that you could just about park a Greyhound bus on it lol. Besides, I'm kinda famous for over kill when it comes to my DIY projects. All I'm saying is that it's not necessary.
You are right. Nothing wrong with it.
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 10:30 PM
Perfect - I'm sure that eased his mind (and also sure it has stood the weight)!
Alan R
08-25-2008, 10:34 PM
I am no engineer, but it looks stable enough for that much weight and more.
I think the plywood and 2X4's will make it very strong. I would use screws and not nails.
I couldn't agree more. Personally, i screw everything (keep your minds out of the gutter :rolleyes:) IMO nails are worthless for long term unless you are building a massive project where time and money is a major factor. I use brads and finish nails for cosmetics, but when it come to integrity, it's gotta be screwed.
SuBXeRo
08-25-2008, 11:39 PM
the stand is for a 72 gallon bow front., i am just really worried about sheer, i think that witht he plywood along the back i should be ok. The vertival weight should be ok me think, i was thinking of doing 4x4 posts for the side legs but i opted for the 2x4's because i can screw them more easily.
I always use screws, always.
i might just be worrying too much, i just havent felt that i have hit the right design. Mind you, all these cuts will be done at home depot
WaywardSon
08-25-2008, 11:41 PM
If opting for 4 x 4s - use 2 2 x 4s screwed together instead - will stay much more true (less chance to twist, warp, etc). The plywood should hold it very rigid - wouldn't worry about twisting!
The Zigman
08-26-2008, 12:06 AM
you could park a buick on that thing...
it is way overkill. You really dont need the 2x4 frame or the posts...
I have built several stands in my time, and have yet to use any 2x4s or 4x4s...
they are all plywood.. nailed and glued together.
Even the stand holding my 125 nad 10 gal tanks is all plywood with no frame.
echoofformless
08-26-2008, 2:31 AM
I know nothing about structural engineering but I'm the first to say that overkill is never a word that comes to my mind when it comes to things of this nature. I'd sooner spend the money on something that can handle twice the minimum than something that only meets the minimum. Exceeding the standards is the difference between competence and excellence - and the integrity of a large fish tank's stand had better be darned excellent if I'm to trust it in my house.
Notophthalmus
08-26-2008, 7:47 AM
My uncle is an engineer, and one engineering maxim he told me once has stuck with me: "Figure out how strong it needs to be, then triple it."
biowyo
08-26-2008, 8:12 AM
I am a finish carpenter by trade and i would dare say i would put both my 125 gallon $10k plus worth of reef s/w tanks on that with no problems ever. your plans look great and the plywood will give it the shear strength and the frame will keep the plywood together. anytime you add flatboard (i.e. plywood to a frame you make the whole assembly nearly 10 times stronger plus it adds shear strength and side load capacity. great job keep it up.