Tank stand Question

Siphon1

AC Members
Mar 11, 2010
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Sorry if this is in the wrong place! Has anyone come across a DIY for a 55 gallon double tank stand?? I came across 1 but I really dont like the way it looks. I want to have 2 tanks but keep the same footprint. I'm also willing to buy a ready made one if anyone knows where to get them. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
I have several 55's stacked on top of each other (or a 55 w/2 20Hs - same foot print) - built the stands from 2x4s and for less than $50 each (way less if memory serves me right. I'll post a couple of pics to see if that is what you are looking for. Very simple to build and sturdy. You could dress them up - I just painted mine.

HTH,

55 side.jpg 55 stand.jpg
 
Thanks that actually gave me some ideas! I can definitely find a way to dress that up. Is there a center support? On the top tank, is the weight on the screws? Also does the bottom tank slide out from the side? Thanks again!
 
Hey Siphon,

I don't have a center support but I do have 3 in. or 4 in. L brackets on the sides. I have the center support resting on 6 inch pieces of 2x4 that is screwed and glued to the main legs. I also have screwed and glued the center piece to the main leg. I built the tank holder "box" first and then attached the legs to it. Yes - the tanks slide in from the side.

They have been in use for 3 or 4 years w/o any problems. I also have a stand I built that holds 4 20H's, a 55 and 2 10's in a similar footprint - only its wider.

HTH,
 
Just remember a stand like that holding two 55 gallon tanks = 110 gallon over the same footprint as a 55. Thats around 916 lbs in water alone. That little stand of ponderingky probably weighs around 1100 lbs.

If your over concrete like ponderingky then it's not an issue. If you set it over joist, you might have an interesting hole in the floor to repair.
 
I've been working on this one for a while.

TS12.jpg


It's actually for 2 x 85gal 6ft long tanks, hence the centre braces.

Not finished yet, but it's taking up a lot of space in the shed, so it need to be finished. :popcorn:

DSC01694s.jpg


Over engineered? Possibly....

Going to fail? Not in this lifetime :)

Ian
 
Hey V - LOL - I never thought about the weight of the stand. :omg:

Ian - very nice looking stand - much more like a piece of furniture than mine. Mine are more functional.

Later,
 
Over engineered? Possibly....

Definitely... I would have run a 2x6 joist on top edge to support the upper tank. Then there wouldn't be any need for the two uprights in the center of the view. You will have a lovely place to park your truck on top of when you are done however ;)
 
Just a note, with 2x6 horizontals, you don't need center braces. It will hold up, but I would have skipped them just for the aesthetics aspect of it.
 
Definitely... I would have run a 2x6 joist on top edge to support the upper tank. Then there wouldn't be any need for the two uprights in the center of the view. You will have a lovely place to park your truck on top of when you are done however ;)

Could have done that, but that seriously restricts the space between the 2 tanks and would make it harder to do work on the bottom tank. Or else I have to drop the bottom tank lower, or raise the top tank, which I didn't want to do. This way I still have space for sump filters, and dont need a ladder to reach the top tank.

Also the tanks are 6ft long, and thats a fair distance to span. Not saying it wouldn't work, but I KNOW this wont sag ;)

And yes I have measured the house door and will be able to get it inside and then will complete the assembly and finishing in place.

Ian
 
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