Fish tank stand

[Kasakato]

To start off this site is great. There is alot of info. I hope to get my tank started In Novermber. Mean while I will look to see what products I will buy and use.

Here I have a stand. I is just a frame of 2x4s right now. (1st pic) If i was to put 1/4" plywood around it and 3/4'' plywood on the top. Will it support the weight of a 20g tank with water? The join is only held up with 3 screws.(2ed pic)The stand will be placed on carpet with a bunch of computers around. For this reason it better hold up the tank. Thanks everyone.

 

[Kasakato]

?

 

[OnyxFishies]

I see two things that would worry me, from looking at the pictures. It's hard to tell, it may just be fine.

First, is the joints. A 20 gal tank with water and filters and gravel ect will probably weigh 200+ lbs. They worry me a little bit.

see how the legs are attached to the outside of the top? This way, all the weight of tank is being supported by the screws only. I would think they would be better if they were like this:

Where the legs are attached to the *underside* of the top. This way all the weight is supported by the 2x4 legs, and the screws (still needed!) are just to keep the legs from kicking out from under the top of the stand.

another thing I would recomend is a diagonal brace of some sort.. the plywood (if it was attached securely) that you wanted to put on the sides would accomplish the same thing. This will keep the whole thing from collapsing like this:

I hope that helps. There are many places on the web with links to designs and tips for aquarium stands.. 2x4's should be more than enough to hold the weight, if it is put together correctly.

Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about. I'm no artist, but hopefully the pictures let you see what I'm talking about.