Hey Guys, I'm setting up a 300gal (8'x2'x2') tank over here in the UK. I've just built my stand using 4x4 legs and 4x2 beams. All joints are hand cut mortise and tennon joints, double pinned. Your thoughts?
300gal tank stand
- Thread starter HowardStevenson
- Start date
It looks good, Howard, I especially like the jointing you used. Are you planning some cross bracing/panelling to distribute the stress away fron the corner joints? Though your joints are strong (and probably strong enough), I just prefer to cross brace for this application. Maybe you could just attach a plywood back? I also feel that the weight of the tank will be held at the corners if you don't incorporate some centre legs. (ie: that timber would easily bow a few millimetres in the centre if all the weight were concentrated there for example.) Do you have any plans for staining/finishing?
it needs some support
. i wouldnt risk it.
middle supports would be good and you wont even see em when you finsh the front ( if your making it like a cabinet ) my question is if those 2x's are strong enough in an 8 fot length to support that tank i wanna make a stand for my 90 gal but i was thinking about using 4x4 for the legs and for the beams across does that seam like over kill i know itll be heavy as heck tho
Irbanjaxed;2307996; said:
Using 4 x 4s for the legs is all good but the legs crushing is by far not the biggest concern. Try to ensure that the top doesn't flex, and also that the stand doesn't rack (collapse sideways or forward).
The racking is a matter of cross bracing (or cladding with ply). The flexing should be fine if you use centre legs. 4 x 2 will be plenty if you build it right.
BTW, arranging a pair of 4 x 2s into a 4 x 4 is good but making an 8 x 2 is better.
does any one do framing like puttin cal corners on a tank stand or making a u out of the 2 bys i guess it doesnt matter how you do it as like as your final product acctually does what its supposed to
Thanks for all comments. The tank will be glass, double base. Considering this is for a Malawi set up (lots of rock!), i'm going to add two more vertical supports front and back made from 4x2. The stand will be painted to match the wife's interior, complete with doors.