All DIY stand builders please read
- Thread starter joefish72b
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LVL and plywood, while a similar process, are totally different. LVLs are structural beams. Plywood, per Weyerhaeuser and everyone else that makes it, is not intended to be structural. It is relatively strong due to the fact that the glue is stronger than the wood and the layering offsets some of the natural imperfections that exist in natural wood, but is not intended to be structural. LVLs on the other hand would make a very, very strong stand if properly protected; only problem is you are looking at 6-30 dollars per foot of material depending on size. I tend to follow the manufactures recommendation in these types of situations, non-structural means not for load bearing applications and I'll take their word for it. I'm not intending to be asinine, but wanted to clear up a few misconceptions to keep he conversation honest.
Loving this thread. I've never built a stand but this thread is very informative and includes tons of stuff i never even thought about. If/when i do build one i think it might be best to try to incorporated both methods. The op's stands are beautiful and lighter and load tested but like most ppl i would sleep better at night with some solid lumber under there. Who wouldn't want a stand that's a little better looking and lighter with more room underneath? The OP got me thinking that much more research is needed. And to be honest i would feel more confident with actual scientific data as opposed to "this is what i did and it worked for me". Thanks OP.
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So you'd rather hear... "this is what I did, and it DID NOT work"?... i don't get it bro.
No. My point was we need ppl like the OP to show us different and potentially better ways of doing things. Its called innovation. A world of "this is what i did and it worked for me" and we all follow that trend and believe it to be the best and only way would be a world in which we all still drive a model T .
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If you scroll down to figure 1 on the link it gives the tolerances of wood versus laminated products.
http://www.gostructural.com/magazin...nsional_and_engineered_wood_framing-7841.html
How and why it is used in only some construction areas rather than "whole house".
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1152525,00.html
Most people agree that laminated products are stronger and more stable than dimensional lumber. This is why I build my stands out of plywood and they can hold large loads. I know for a fact Marineland offers a 300 gallon tank that sits on a plywood base and the front, rear, and sides are open for access. I'm pretty sure a multi-million dollar company puts just a bit of technical reasearch into it's products before they release them to the market. Glasscages.com also builds stands and canopies in house and they don't use framing lumber.
http://www.gostructural.com/magazin...nsional_and_engineered_wood_framing-7841.html
How and why it is used in only some construction areas rather than "whole house".
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1152525,00.html
Most people agree that laminated products are stronger and more stable than dimensional lumber. This is why I build my stands out of plywood and they can hold large loads. I know for a fact Marineland offers a 300 gallon tank that sits on a plywood base and the front, rear, and sides are open for access. I'm pretty sure a multi-million dollar company puts just a bit of technical reasearch into it's products before they release them to the market. Glasscages.com also builds stands and canopies in house and they don't use framing lumber.
I like this thread. I'm getting ready to build a stand for my 120g tall tank. Dimensions are 4x2x2, what do y'all recommend using to build this?
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Honestly, the real discussion here is whether or not dimensional lumber will do as you claim. You stated that using a dimensional lumber stand will cause a tank to fail. This is what you need to prove.
Although it is true that plywood is stronger that dimensional lumber, that doesn't in iteself prove that dimensional lumber will fail. All it proves is that plywood is a bit stronger. No where in the discussion has factual evidence been provided that shows dimensional lumber to;
1. be insuffucient for bulding aquarium stands
2. that the failures you mention were in fact a direct result of the use of dimensional lumber in aquarium stands.
What this discussion then becomes is an argument on which style of stand each person "feels" better about using. Not to even include discussion of proper design techniques for both types of material that would ensure that there is an adequate comparison of the two types.
At this point, without further information, I'm inclined to beleive that what you have on your hands is a coincidence.
Although it is true that plywood is stronger that dimensional lumber, that doesn't in iteself prove that dimensional lumber will fail. All it proves is that plywood is a bit stronger. No where in the discussion has factual evidence been provided that shows dimensional lumber to;
1. be insuffucient for bulding aquarium stands
2. that the failures you mention were in fact a direct result of the use of dimensional lumber in aquarium stands.
What this discussion then becomes is an argument on which style of stand each person "feels" better about using. Not to even include discussion of proper design techniques for both types of material that would ensure that there is an adequate comparison of the two types.
At this point, without further information, I'm inclined to beleive that what you have on your hands is a coincidence.
I know how to frame a house. Perhaps you can teach me how to build a house out of plywood. Hope the big bad wolf doesn't huff and puff and blow your plywood house down. LOL!
Companies build stands the cheapest way possible in order to keep costs down. Most manufactured aquarium stands are made out of pine.
The materials are being confused again. The first link deals with structural laminated products. None of the materials discussed or rated are plywood. While a similar process LVL Glulam, etc use a different "glue" and are engineered in a different way. Plywood is intended to take force on the broad surface face that is why it is used for sheathing and flooring. The other laminated products are designed to take force on the narrow side as in floor joist and beams. Im not saying it will not work, but the link is for structural laminated products not plywood. LVL would make a very strong stand, but depending on depth you are looking at 6-26 dollars per foot of each piece. I just wanted to clarify on the difference so we do not get confused.
BTW, I was in construction for several years and have a degree in chemical engineering, so I do know a little bit about these products and the material engineering processes.
