8x3 aquarium stand footprint help

[Ryewalk84]

Looking for advice on building a 2x4 aquarium stand tank is acrylic and is 8 foot long by 3 foot wide and 2 foot tall. 350 gallons. Due to low ceilings I do not want to use anything bigger than 2x4. What is the minimum vertical supports I can get away with? I’d like to do supports only on front and back walls for easy access/space.

My research is looking like I’d need to do 10 vertical supports, but wondering if I could do a 36 inch span, followed by 24 inch and then another 36 inch span. 8 total vertical supports.

Also what are the odds I can use MDF for the top vs plywood. Tank was shipped with MDF so wondering I can reuse it.

 

[wednesday13]

IMO…6 legs would be fine, 8 legs is fine also. 10 is pretty unnecessary… assuming ur making the “standard” type of stand with 2x4 where each leg is actually doubled up to basically be a 4x4… all depends how much access u want/need underneath for a sump or other filtration.

The top bracing underneath the tank is whats important for an acrylic tank. Rule of thumb is every 2’ square. Ive made plenty stands for acrylics with 2-4’ tank widths and just 2’ in one direction is plenty even at 3-4’ tank width. 1/2-3/4” ply overtop of 2’ supports is very strong.

In my earlier years of putting up “big” tanks i did much more than what was needed. The more i build the less material i use. Comes down to what helps u sleep at night really …



Can never go wrong building off the standard OG mfk stand. Tested, tired and true… you just need more top braces for acrylic 2’ or less. Everything else can be the same as these examples.

 

[Ryewalk84]

IMO…6 legs would be fine, 8 legs is fine also. 10 is pretty unnecessary… assuming ur making the “standard” type of stand with 2x4 where each leg is actually doubled up to basically be a 4x4… all depends how much access u want/need underneath for a sump or other filtration.

The top bracing underneath the tank is whats important for an acrylic tank. Rule of thumb is every 2’ square. Ive made plenty stands for acrylics with 2-4’ tank widths and just 2’ in one direction is plenty even at 3-4’ tank width. 1/2-3/4” ply overtop of 2’ supports is very strong.

In my earlier years of putting up “big” tanks i did much more than what was needed. The more i build the less material i use. Comes down to what helps u sleep at night really …

View attachment 1566640
View attachment 1566641
Can never go wrong building off the standard OG mfk stand. Tested, tired and true… you just need more top braces for acrylic 2’ or less. Everything else can be the same as these examples.

Yes, this is the style I’m planning to build. My worry is that it would be a 36”x36” square due to the front to back length. I’d put another joist to support the plywood at 18” center so that makes it 36”x18” being transferred to the front and back 2x4s that are then resting on the legs.

 

[wednesday13]

Yes, this is the style I’m planning to build. My worry is that it would be a 36”x36” square due to the front to back length. I’d put another joist to support the plywood at 18” center so that makes it 36”x18” being transferred to the front and back 2x4s that are then resting on the legs.

Yeah thats more than fine IMO… if ur doing 8 legs ur overkilling it already. Only thing that matters is what ur calling “joists”… no wider than 24” even at 48” tank width.

 

[Ryewalk84]

Yeah thats more than fine IMO… if ur doing 8 legs ur overkilling it already. Only thing that matters is what ur calling “joists”… no wider than 24” even at 48” tank width.

Joists as in 2x4s every 18 inches going front to back. The blue and yellows in this image

 

[wednesday13]

Joists as in 2x4s every 18 inches going front to back. The blue and yellows in this image View attachment 1566643

Yup … thats whats supporting the acrylic tank bottom not so much the plywood u lay over it.

Forgot to answer that question as well… MDF is fine but swells when wet. Chip ply is a step up then reg ply, sand ply, birch, oak - are all fine to use. 1/2”-3/4”

Do u have a MFG warranty that requires foam under the tank? If so go with the highest density ridgid foam u can get in 3/4”-1”. Not the flimsy pink/blue/white. I personally am not an advocate for foam of any kind under acrylic but for a MFG warranty and what new tanks cost def. follow their instructions to honor ur warranty if theres a problem.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Don't use MDF under the tank, you'll inevitably have splashes of water that get under the tank and MDF just rots if it doesn't dry out right away. Using 3/4" plywood would add a lot of strength to your stand as well as eliminating issues with pooling water and humidity.