Base for 120 Gallon Tank

[SkiTrent]

All,

I have a 120 gallon tank that I want to upgrade. Currently I have a 2 Red Ear Sliders that are 5 years old and love their tank, but since they are now almost full grown I want to add a basking area above the tank. This means I can fill up the tank with more water and less rocks. I have the tank on my dresser, which can hold the weight, but I want to be able to put filter, food, etc under the tank and wanted to know if you all think I need to more support to this stand. The tank was used for a snake before so I know it will support the tank with some rocks/sand, but no water.

Things I know I need to do:

1. Add plywood to the bottom to act as a shelf
2. Add wood laminate
3. Add latch to door

What I was thinking:

1. Add 2x6's all along the bottom to distribute weight (I think this is needed)
2. Add 4x4 in each corner and 2x4s in 2 locations in the middle on either side of the door

 

[SkiTrent]

The last item (after talking to a fellow tank owner) is that maybe I should add cross beams along the top to distribute the weight.

 

[SkiTrent]

Anyone have ideas? At least confirmation that I should add more support?

 

[pjsmetana]

I have a 50 inch computer monitor, and still your pictures are just too darn big... lol

You definitely need cross beams across the top. If you don't have them, the whole thing will bow outward.

 

[SkiTrent]

HAHA! I know they are high res, but when I looked at them the fit in my 13" laptop screen. Very odd. I will try and post smaller res images.

Do you think the MDF is strong enough for the vertical support?