Building my 180 gal Aquarium Stand

T

thoap

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Apr 23, 2004
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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Does this frame for my stand appear to be strong enough for a 180 gal? It's all 2x4's (doubled up in center, tripled up on corners), glue, and screws. It'll have 3/4" oak plywood all around. The dimentions are 2'Dx6'Lx3'H. I calculate the weight of the tank will be @7lbs per gallon
Water (150 gals) after displacement = 1050 lbs
Sand = 300 lbs
Rock work = 150 lbs
Canopy = 100 lbs
Tank = 150 lbs
Other = 50 lbs
Total = 1800lbs
[/IMG] :thud:
That's a lot of weight. I don't want it coming down on top of me or my family. With some of y'alls experience at having built stands for large aquariums, does this meet or exceed what you did with your build?

180 gallon frame
 
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As long as you sit it on a level surface everything looks like it should be fine. The stands they sell in the stores aren't remotely close to that stability.
 
Well, your weight calculations are a bit goofy--water is usually calculated at about 8 pounds per gallon, so 150*8=1200.

However--your stand is massively over-engineered. :) I have 2 120 gallon tanks on stands with the frame of 2x4--just one for the top and bottom frame. The legs are cornered (doweled and glued together) at the corners, with a single 2x4 in the middle. Very sturdy, no bowing or creaking. 2X4's are incredibly strong.

Bigger question--will you still be able to move that once you're finished? Will the floor support the stand and tank? I spent most of last weekend taking down the stand that held 2 65's and a 50, plus sump--and the stand was way over-engineered, weighed a ton, and we dismantled it to get it out of the house.
 
Thanks for your replies...
I was hoping someone would say that it was over-engineered. That takes a load off my mind. Especially since I had the pounds per gallon lower than actual. That puts the weight at ~2000 lbs. Here's some photos of the stand now... almost finished.
Stand and hood
Interior
Hood
I had looked at buying one at the LFS but like you said Bucho I wanted something more "substantial". Can't wait to get the tank on it. Gonna have to call a bunch of my friends over to help me move it though.:)
 
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:) My LFS has a 180 that is mounted in a wall. There is one 2x4 that goes the full perimeter of the tank. Nothing in the middle, no supports going to the floor at the halfway point. Tied to the wall on the sides and back, but the entire front just has that one skinny 2x4. The tank has been up for 4-5 years, no sagging, etc. They've been playing with tanks and stand construction longer than I've been alive, so if they are confident that wood will hold, so am I. :)
 
Hi OG,
Yeah, I know I overdid it a bit, but the added weight of the supports I put in only increased the weight by 25 lbs. I live in a single story home so the slab can take that little bit of weight. It's more piece of mind than anything I guess. My brother-in-law and I did get it in the house and got the tank on it. I think it looks pretty good. I post another pic later on.
Aloha,
thoap
 
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