Looking for advice please. 8'x2'x32" 300g tank with 6'x22" 120g sump. This stand will be a furniture piece with matching 3 foot bookshelves on either end.
For design I am thinking of the top to be lumber on edge to create a rectangle with several front to back cross braces on edge. Topped with 3/4" or 1" ply. Base to be the same construction design (wood on edge) with probably just 1/2" as the deck. Base will be built more narrow front to back to fit inside the legs so the legs go right to the floor.
I am wanting to have the top sit directly on the legs so load goes straight down to the floor. I am unsure how to make the connection between the top and the legs as the top is essentially "sitting balanced" on the legs. I will have 8 legs total, 4 corners obviously, as well as 2 evenly spaced legs along the front and back. This will create 3 "openings" that will be doors for access underneath.
With a sump I need to maximize space underneath the stand. I plan the stand to have a 3 1/2-4" bottom trim (like some bookcases that have a "base" to them) so the sump needs to be raised up this same amount. This takes away from the height in the sump area.
Need help with:
1) attaching the top to the legs. I have only thought of running lumber or ply on the inside joint to cross the joint and provide strength. I can't run this inner piece right to the floor due to the oddball width of the sump.
2) lumbar to use for the top frame: 2x4 or 2x6 or 2x8? 2x4 gives me additional space underneath...huge plus.
3) lumbar to use for legs: 2x4 or 2x6?
Thanks
For design I am thinking of the top to be lumber on edge to create a rectangle with several front to back cross braces on edge. Topped with 3/4" or 1" ply. Base to be the same construction design (wood on edge) with probably just 1/2" as the deck. Base will be built more narrow front to back to fit inside the legs so the legs go right to the floor.
I am wanting to have the top sit directly on the legs so load goes straight down to the floor. I am unsure how to make the connection between the top and the legs as the top is essentially "sitting balanced" on the legs. I will have 8 legs total, 4 corners obviously, as well as 2 evenly spaced legs along the front and back. This will create 3 "openings" that will be doors for access underneath.
With a sump I need to maximize space underneath the stand. I plan the stand to have a 3 1/2-4" bottom trim (like some bookcases that have a "base" to them) so the sump needs to be raised up this same amount. This takes away from the height in the sump area.
Need help with:
1) attaching the top to the legs. I have only thought of running lumber or ply on the inside joint to cross the joint and provide strength. I can't run this inner piece right to the floor due to the oddball width of the sump.
2) lumbar to use for the top frame: 2x4 or 2x6 or 2x8? 2x4 gives me additional space underneath...huge plus.
3) lumbar to use for legs: 2x4 or 2x6?
Thanks