Anyone have a cinder block DIY stand?
- Thread starter watermelon
- Start date
LOL....cinder blocks have been a mainstay for most of my tank stands for decades! With 4x4 runners underneath the tanks, I've never had to worry about instablity or warping...and this includes living through the Loma Prieta earthquake......if I need to make up for any minor irregularities, I use styrofoam or indoor/outdoor carpet remnants under the tanks to even things out....cinderblocks, duct tape and bungee cords....the big three......without them, there is no civilization....
i am glad i never had to use this type of set up yet but there are many on this forum who do use it. i have seen a few in the member tank page.
Yea, but the thing is that the wood does not support all the seams underneath the tank and there are open spots..Like here is an example of a DIY cinder block stand:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/algaemarineplantcare/l/bldiyaqstand.htm
In the diagram on your link, it shows plywood under the tank, on top of 2 x 4's for distributing the weight....however, it is not necessary with 4 x 4's.....as long as the front and back and middle of the tank are supported, you are fine..the frame of the tank is going to distribute the weight as well....if the tank is wider (16 inches +) I'll add a fourth 4 x 4 under the tank.....I've used this method with 75 and 90 gallon tanks.....it has NEVER failed me....If you have a longer tank, you can add cinder blocks at mid span, as I will for a 10 foot-long set up I'm working on that will have a 55g and a 110 g tank on it.....
Plecosterone
We don't need no stinking badges!
My LFS uses them. At their warehouse location the tanks are 3 or 4 high and there are plenty of them. I never see water on the floor so I guess they work fine. They put them on edge and put 2x4 or 2x6 into the holes of block and only use 2 of them, one at the front and one at the back. Tempered glass bottoms are amazingly strong as long as it is flat.
Your example should have a layer of strofoam under the tank itself to even out the load stress (1/4"-1/2").
Oh, I glue my blocks together with liquid nails of a bonding cement for cap stones, just in case I get clumsy.
Dr Joe
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echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
I've never done this sort of stand but I am considering it in the future.
However just to be extra safe I would have the blocks placed ends and center as well. In other words I would lay three blocks, place a thick solid wood shelf, another three blocks across, then another shelf on top, and then a last row of blocks with the top shelf across. It might cost a bit extra, but I like serious peace of mind.
However just to be extra safe I would have the blocks placed ends and center as well. In other words I would lay three blocks, place a thick solid wood shelf, another three blocks across, then another shelf on top, and then a last row of blocks with the top shelf across. It might cost a bit extra, but I like serious peace of mind.