Cinder Blocks as Tank Support

[fl4ian]

Hello all.

I have my 6' 100g on 3 stacks of cinder blocks topped with 2 2x12 boards upon which sits the tank. However, I'm considering using these cinder towers to support a tank that is slightly larger than the footprint of the cinder blocks. And I'm wondering how I should best do that...

For example - if the cinder block surface was 10x10, and the tank was actually 12x12, the outside "frame" of the tank would not be resting on cinder block surface, only the bottom glass would be, and that would result in problems. However, if I stacked 4 half inch thick pieces of plywood that were 12x12, the tank would rest on them comfortably, with the cinder blocks providing the base of the support.

Hopefully that made sense.

The 100g is 18" deep, and a standard 10g tank (if fitted sideways) would be 20" deep. I want to build support that will accomodate 20" to 22" of depth for this purpose (one uniform depth of "shelf" for tanks). However, the standard cinder block is 16" deep. What type of surface material and in what qty or depth would be required to hold the weight?

any help would be most appreciated - hopefully this is clear enough, if not, just reply below, and I'll do what I can to clarify.

thanks, all.

 

[Pavo71]

The standard block is 8Wx16Lx8H.

Two blocks side by side with one sideways in the back resulting in a platform 16Wx24Lx8H.

Reverse stacking pattern on next level.

That way you do not have to deal with strength of materials issues as you will have full support of blocks under the shelf.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

yup agree with that ^^^^

 

[Rbishop]

I use 2x4 or 2x6 for the horizontals on top of my cinder blocks with a 3/4" sheet of plywood as needed....

 

[dundadundun]

so far so good on the answers. i'd just like to add i like to put 4" x 8" x 16" solid caps on the top and then wood above that if i'm supporting something heavy. i learned that trick setting trailors so it's overkill in a big way for most fish tanks.

 

[fl4ian]

thanks for all the replies... if I did the 3 per layer stack as Pavo initially suggested, how far do you think I could span between columns of cinders?

and what are your thoughts about having this on carpet? yes, no, yes with modifications?

as far as the span goes, I want to span 10 feet, and am wondering how many columns I should have...

 

[FISHSHROD]

I built my stand with cinder blocks and then made a 2x4 frame for the cabinet to fit it. Covered it with 3/4 ply and mica.
Talk about overkill :nilly:

 

[coach_z]

10 feet? i thought you had a 6 foot tank?

remember that your columns will be 1' 4" wide, 2 columns are 2' 8" total width...that leaves 3' 4" of gap between cinder towers....like others ahve said, place wood across the support and cap it with ply you wont need any columns at all in the middle.

if you make your cinder stand 10' wide your 6' tank wont sit on any cinder at all and i might suggest 1) 3-4 4x4s across the length capped with 1" ply, or 2) 3 cinder columns.....i would go with 3 cinder columns

-chris

 

[DiscusOnly]

I am curious as to why using blocks? I prefer woods unless you don't plan to cover it up with wood. I did this stand to hold a 180gal on top and a 125 below.

 

[coach_z]

I assume the desire to use cinderblocks is simplicity. no wood cutting, no screwing, no measuring. all you have to do is stack 12 blocks, lay 3 pieces of wood , check for level and place tank on 'stand'