Question about my 10 ft long stand

[aussieman57]

I've built this stand using 10 ft 2 x 6's for the horizontal spans & 2 x 4's for the upright supports. As you can see from pics everything is supported by wood not screws. I used carpenters glue and stainless steel #8 screws that have 2.5 inches length. I built the stand to hold four 60 gallon breeder tanks (2 on top and 2 on bottom rack). My question is do I need a center support for those ten foot 2 x6's or will the stand be OK as is. Thanks.

 

[BIG-G]

I would add center braces to the bottom and under the bottom center to take the load to the floor, and a couple stretchers between the already existing 2x6.
I’m sure they can support the weight, my concern would be twisting and sagging in the middle over time.

 

[aussieman57]

Thanks BIG-G

 

[jjohnwm]

That is some nice work; congrats, well done. I'm with BIG-G on this. I would add a set of center columns built like your corners, for solid support to the floor; those columns will make it much easier to add front-to-back braces which will prevent twisting and spreading. Those braces will be much more solid if attached to the sides of the new vertical columns than they would be if they were just held in place with screws through the the 2x6 pieces going into the ends of the braces.

Is the stand long enough to allow for a vertical column in the middle, between the tanks?

 

[wednesday13]

Id put in the center braces as well… if they interfere with the tanks u have planned u can always run them on the outside of the frame bolted on and run to the floor. Make the back one permanent and the front one removable. I had a double stacker 125 i did this on and it was nice being able to remove the front center brace to get the tank in/out. Stand is plenty strong. The bolted center legs will be enough to prevent the middle from sagging at all.

 

[LukeOscar]

I've built this stand using 10 ft 2 x 6's for the horizontal spans & 2 x 4's for the upright supports. As you can see from pics everything is supported by wood not screws. I used carpenters glue and stainless steel #8 screws that have 2.5 inches length. I built the stand to hold four 60 gallon breeder tanks (2 on top and 2 on bottom rack). My question is do I need a center support for those ten foot 2 x6's or will the stand be OK as is. Thanks.

View attachment 1517185

View attachment 1517186

i

Id put in the center braces as well… if they interfere with the tanks u have planned u can always run them on the outside of the frame bolted on and run to the floor. Make the back one permanent and the front one removable. I had a double stacker 125 i did this on and it was nice being able to remove the front center brace to get the tank in/out. Stand is plenty strong. The bolted center legs will be enough to prevent the middle from sagging at all.

thats what i did. wanted enough room to remove sump if needed. so i put a center brace. not glued just held with 2 screws.

 

[aussieman57]

That is some nice work; congrats, well done. I'm with BIG-G on this. I would add a set of center columns built like your corners, for solid support to the floor; those columns will make it much easier to add front-to-back braces which will prevent twisting and spreading. Those braces will be much more solid if attached to the sides of the new vertical columns than they would be if they were just held in place with screws through the the 2x6 pieces going into the ends of the braces. Thanks.

Is the stand long enough to allow for a vertical column in the middle, between the tanks? Yes

 

[aussieman57]

Added some cross bracing to reduce flex and upright supports in the middle of the stand. Stand is shimmed and leveled in place. Next step is to get wife to paint bottom and sides of tank and add water.

 

[BIG-G]

Should be rock solid now. Looks good

 

[aussieman57]

Ten foot span of 2 x 6 needed that center brace. Thanks for the suggestions and help. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas off of others.