Brick & Board tank

[simon181]

hi, we're about to get a tank of 60 x 18 x 18, and wanting ideas on making a simple stand, not very clever at DIY so currently looking at previously suggested ideas of having concrete bricks as 'legs' and a sheet of MDF as a surface, have already got polystyrene squares for protection, just wanting a small stand to hold tank on. Also not overly sure on strength of floor so would it be worth having a board base too, so the weight is spread accross the floor, rather than just on a couple of legs.

I am aware this won't look great but am planning on a sheet to curtain it off, and for more support would include a middle pair of 'legs'.

any comments appreciated. SIMON

 

[Istanbul_Kop]

edit: see below.

 

[Istanbul_Kop]

This guide shows how a nice effect cane be achieved using Cinder blocks:

http://virtuallyamy.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/build-a-strong-inexpensive-aquarium-stand/

other links:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diystandscabinets/ss/diyaqstand.htm

 

[simon181]

thanks had a look, defo something to consider

 

[krytan]

A base board isn’t going to spread the weight; the legs of the stand will still be pushing down in the same place. With your size tank (I make it about 90 gallons) I don’t think you have to worry about the floor to much, just make sure not to place the tank parallel with the floor joists and if possible have the legs of the stand resting on the joists.

 

[EllTee424]

I'd be nervous using MDF over time (gets flimsy as it gets exposed to water). Most of the MDF sheets I've seen are 2'x4' or so as well. For a 5' tank you might want to go with a sheet of plywood as the base, and then put a 1/2" piece of insulation directly underneath the tank. The insulation comes in 4x8 sheets usually, although I've seen some 2x8 sheets.