500 gallon stand
- Thread starter fishkeeper4244
- Start date
Might get better advice in the DIY forum, I would think the bottom boards would need to span the full length so that the weight would be distributed more evenly on your floor. Just my .02
Thought this was the DIY forum...?
Anyways, This is the stand I am building for my 8' tank... and it's just a 150g.
So, My advice would be to make it a little bulkier.
Its all 2x4's, legs every 2', wrapped by 1/2" plywood for structure.
for a 500g, would say about the same, but 4x4's for the legs. Or double up on the 2x4's.
Anyways, This is the stand I am building for my 8' tank... and it's just a 150g.
So, My advice would be to make it a little bulkier.
Its all 2x4's, legs every 2', wrapped by 1/2" plywood for structure.
for a 500g, would say about the same, but 4x4's for the legs. Or double up on the 2x4's.
The design posted above is a good starting point. You may not need to double up the 2x4s per se, but you should give it some extra horizontal supports if you do not skin the stand in plywood.
It got moved after my post, it was in general aquaria discussion. Glad to see it got moved so the op can get a better answer than what I could provide.
No, the original drawing is not enough.
Check this stand out. Its supporting a 450 gallon tank that is 8' x 3'. This stand had to be able to get through a doorway that was only 31" wide, so it was actually built in two parts that were "clamshelled" together with carriage bolts. I can pull out the full set of plans for it if you are interested.
Check this stand out. Its supporting a 450 gallon tank that is 8' x 3'. This stand had to be able to get through a doorway that was only 31" wide, so it was actually built in two parts that were "clamshelled" together with carriage bolts. I can pull out the full set of plans for it if you are interested.
thanks guys i added more support check this out. (im going to start this when either we move to a new house or i get a job.)
The way you have it drawn the tank is only sitting on its outside edge and is not supported by the horizontal bracing. It needs to be supported by these.
Do you know what kind of filtration you are going to use? Are your openings in the front large enough to get the filters in and out? If you plan on a sump, do you need to build your stand around the sump, or can you get it in there after construction?
FX5 filters are huge, if you plan to use a few of those, will they fit through the front openings?
Assuming that all of your upright supports are 2x4's and that your 4 openings are evenly spaced, your 4 openings are only 15" each.
7 feet x 12 inches= 84 inches long. 6 supports 4 inches each= 24"
84-24=60inches. Divide that by the 4 openings and they are 15 inches each.
You won't be able to get your sholders under the tank to reach for hoses that need plumbing and very few filters will fit through that space.
Keep the filters in mind as you plan the height as well. You will need at least 6 inches of room above your filters to allow room for the hoses and your hands. I suspect you will want your stand to be taller. It appears you have drawn a bottom board into it that is not going to be flat on the floor, if that is how you build it, you have even less than 24 inches of height for the filters.
Do you know what kind of filtration you are going to use? Are your openings in the front large enough to get the filters in and out? If you plan on a sump, do you need to build your stand around the sump, or can you get it in there after construction?
FX5 filters are huge, if you plan to use a few of those, will they fit through the front openings?
Assuming that all of your upright supports are 2x4's and that your 4 openings are evenly spaced, your 4 openings are only 15" each.
7 feet x 12 inches= 84 inches long. 6 supports 4 inches each= 24"
84-24=60inches. Divide that by the 4 openings and they are 15 inches each.
You won't be able to get your sholders under the tank to reach for hoses that need plumbing and very few filters will fit through that space.
Keep the filters in mind as you plan the height as well. You will need at least 6 inches of room above your filters to allow room for the hoses and your hands. I suspect you will want your stand to be taller. It appears you have drawn a bottom board into it that is not going to be flat on the floor, if that is how you build it, you have even less than 24 inches of height for the filters.