DIY - Projects & Ideas

by **SobrietyRocks707** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:05 pm

Here is the start of my stand for the 90 Gallon......

I'm wondering if this is overkill? Or just smart? More support is better.....

2x6 framing top and bottom, and 2x4 vertical.... 2 on each corner, 1 each front and back.

Will be finished with oak panels, crown molding, and whatnot.....

Opinions please, and thanks in advance.

by **13razorbackfan** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:22 pm

You want the vertical 2x4's to be directly under the 2x6 horizontal beams. If not there is NO CHANCE that screws are going to be able to hold the weight of the tank. What you can do however is slide them(2x6) to the top(using the last pic as reference) and screw them to the vertical 2x4's with both flush at the top. Then take a 2x4 and put them all the way around matching your current vertical 2x4's. That way your 2x6 horizontal braces are resting directly on 2x4's and are not being held up by screws...although you do want screws. Hope that makes sense.

by **SobrietyRocks707** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:39 am

13razorbackfan wrote:What you can do however is slide them(2x6) to the top(using the last pic as reference) and screw them to the vertical 2x4's with both flush at the top. Then take a 2x4 and put them all the way around matching your current vertical 2x4's. That way your 2x6 horizontal braces are resting directly on 2x4's and are not being held up by screws...although you do want screws.

I think I understand....

The only thing screwed together at this point are the 2x6s (top and bottom)...
The 2x4s have only been cut and placed there for the pic. When I screw the 2x4s
to the bottom section, I'll flip it over again, and screw it to the top. I'll be using
plywood for the top, as well as inside for the filtration and storage.

If I Do understand you, I need to add 2x4s to the outside of the existing 2x4s, between the 2x6s.

Correct?

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:07 am

SobrietyRocks707 wrote:
13razorbackfan wrote:What you can do however is slide them(2x6) to the top(using the last pic as reference) and screw them to the vertical 2x4's with both flush at the top. Then take a 2x4 and put them all the way around matching your current vertical 2x4's. That way your 2x6 horizontal braces are resting directly on 2x4's and are not being held up by screws...although you do want screws.

I think I understand....

The only thing screwed together at this point are the 2x6s (top and bottom)...
The 2x4s have only been cut and placed there for the pic. When I screw the 2x4s
to the bottom section, I'll flip it over again, and screw it to the top. I'll be using
plywood for the top, as well as inside for the filtration and storage.

If I Do understand you, I need to add 2x4s to the outside of the existing 2x4s, between the 2x6s.

Correct?

The part I have in bold is very important....very. You want the 2x4s between the 2x6s to hold the weight of the tank. Make sure they are wedged in tightly so the 2x6 frame is actually resting on the 2x4s then screw those 2x4s to your existing 2x4s and you will be good to go. Be sure to post pics when you are done so we can make sure it is done right. :thumb:

by **SobrietyRocks707** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:37 am

Ok... I totally get that.

Essentially that will be 10 2x4s from floor to tank, plus the 2x4s wedged in between
the 2x6s.... That should hold up a Peterbuilt :lol:

Probably be as Heavy as one too

by **sboisvert** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:12 pm

This is what he's talking about:

by **Number6** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 3:35 pm

sboisvert
is that to support a tank that is 20 foot tall? Might be a little overbuilt if the tank is any shorter :lol:

SobrietyRocks707, the pic is a good example of wood upon wood support. I just joke as that is such overkill it's awesome! :thumb:

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:42 pm

sboisvert wrote:This is what he's talking about:

Correct....very good illustration.

Notice SobrietyRocks707, that the 2x4's on the outside are actually supporting the horizontal frame and the screws just keep it in place. You want the entire weight of the tank and horizontal frame supported using the 2x4's....not the screws.

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:43 pm

Number6 wrote:sboisvert
is that to support a tank that is 20 foot tall? Might be a little overbuilt if the tank is any shorter

SobrietyRocks707, the pic is a good example of wood upon wood support. I just joke as that is such overkill it's awesome!

LOL...yep....very sturdy indeed. I have seen people use 4x4's to support a 75g tank before!

by **sboisvert** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:35 pm

Number6 wrote:sboisvert
is that to support a tank that is 20 foot tall? Might be a little overbuilt if the tank is any shorter

SobrietyRocks707, the pic is a good example of wood upon wood support. I just joke as that is such overkill it's awesome!

Lol... It's only half the stand, two sections are held together by 1/2" bolts... It's for a 74" x 24" x 24" acrylic build. Not to hijack this thread.

Some videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpZ1CY6ureY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZijxtuSPpw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfJbzT5Zpk

Thread on the whole build process, lots more pictures and videos:

http://diyfishkeepers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=571

by **redblufffishguy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:46 pm

SobrietyRocks707: You asked if that is overkill.....

I would bet money that stand woukd support a car!

All that is needed to support the tank you describe is 3/4" plywood for vertical walls. 2x4 and 2x6 boards are never necessary (unless you are building a house).

And, I respectfully dissagree with Razorback. The shear strenght of screws is quite substantial (unless you are using sheetrock screws). 4 or 6 screws at each vertical/horizontal connection would EASILLY hold the weight of the tank.

Keep in mind that the 90 gallons will be evenly distributed to all four vertical members. that is roughly 22.5 gallons per corner and about 200 pounds of weight. add an extra 30 for tank and media inside the tank and you are at 230 per corner.

I'm no rocket scientist, but am pretty sure I can sink 4 deck screws into the connection of a 2x4 vertical member and a 2x6 horizontal member and jump up and down on it all day long without failure.

Anyway, food for though, and one last note....although it is overkill, if that construction puts your mind at ease, then it is the right one for you!!

RBFG

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:07 pm

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:13 pm

redblufffishguy wrote:SobrietyRocks707: You asked if that is overkill.....

I would bet money that stand woukd support a car!

All that is needed to support the tank you describe is 3/4" plywood for vertical walls. 2x4 and 2x6 boards are never necessary (unless you are building a house).

And, I respectfully dissagree with Razorback. The shear strenght of screws is quite substantial (unless you are using sheetrock screws). 4 or 6 screws at each vertical/horizontal connection would EASILLY hold the weight of the tank.

Keep in mind that the 90 gallons will be evenly distributed to all four vertical members. that is roughly 22.5 gallons per corner and about 200 pounds of weight. add an extra 30 for tank and media inside the tank and you are at 230 per corner.

I'm no rocket scientist, but am pretty sure I can sink 4 deck screws into the connection of a 2x4 vertical member and a 2x6 horizontal member and jump up and down on it all day long without failure.

Anyway, food for though, and one last note....although it is overkill, if that construction puts your mind at ease, then it is the right one for you!!

RBFG

Well...we will just have to agree to disagree. I would not want a 90g tank supported by screws...maybe lag bolts....but not screws. I do agree that 2x4's are probably too much and 1x's would work fine but I would not want my 90g tank supported only by screws. You have to remember...it is a diy stand not designed and built from specs from a manufacturer. A manufacturer does the research and testing for what their stands will be able to hold. Their stands are all very precisely built....again here were are dealing with a diy stand and a person who admittedly does not have any experience doing such things. So I would go with the 2x4s or 1x4s to support the weight of the tank.

If nothing else....it for sure won't fail and would be a nice peace of mind.

by **SobrietyRocks707** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:36 pm

sboisvert wrote:Not to hijack this thread.

Hijack away

I appreciate the input, and the ideas. I really like the build with
2x4s only. Looks clean for sure. Lot lighter too I bet! Mine is already heavy.

Anyway, I just got back to the shop, and will finish up and post more pics. I have
to make another cut for a 2x6... Not happy with the gap

Thanks everyone for chiming in! :thumb:

by **13razorbackfan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:06 pm

SobrietyRocks707 wrote:
sboisvert wrote:Not to hijack this thread.

Hijack away I appreciate the input, and the ideas. I really like the build with
2x4s only. Looks clean for sure. Lot lighter too I bet! Mine is already heavy.

Anyway, I just got back to the shop, and will finish up and post more pics. I have
to make another cut for a 2x6... Not happy with the gap

Thanks everyone for chiming in!

Yeah...gaps can be an issue. When I need precise cuts I make a jig for my chop saw that way all the boards are exactly the same length.

Post pics when done.... :thumb:

DIY - Projects & Ideas • I'm not a wood guy.....

I'm not a wood guy.....

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