critique the strength of my stand for 300 gallon

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marvelouzone

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2014
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Baltimore, Maryland
Trying to build stand for 300 gallon 96L, 24H, 30W. Here's a sketch of the base of the stand, wanted to build with lumber I already had available.. 4 corner post are 4x4 with notches cut out for 2x4's to rest on, everything else is 2x4, stand will be wrapped in 1/4" ply, probably oak, and then stained... critique the strength in the design of the stand for me.. thanks

stand 2.png
 
Glass or acrylic? I would skin it with thicker plywood and/or put in diagonal supports but it should hold the weight I think. Hopefully more experienced and skilled DIY builders will chime in. I built my stand for my 450 and my goal was to be able to park a tank tank on it so it is way over engineered but I am okay with that:)
 
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celebrist said:
Glass or acrylic? I would skin it with thicker plywood and/or put in diagonal supports but it should hold the weight I think. Hopefully more experienced and skilled DIY builders will chime in. I built my stand for my 450 and my goal was to be able to park a tank tank on it so it is way over engineered but I am okay with that:)
Click to expand...

plywood and acrylic 2 viewing windows, will add pic.. I'm trying to leave enough space where I can build a 75 gallon sump and get it in and out under the stand for maintenance if necessary.
 
celebrist said:
Glass or acrylic? I would skin it with thicker plywood and/or put in diagonal supports but it should hold the weight I think. Hopefully more experienced and skilled DIY builders will chime in. I built my stand for my 450 and my goal was to be able to park a tank tank on it so it is way over engineered but I am okay with that:)
Click to expand...

tank and stand.png
 
I have no experience with plywood tank builds so I cannot speak to your questions, sorry and good luck with the build!
 
Stand looks plenty strong enough.

I like to put a layer of 3/4 plywood or OSB on the top to kind of even out the forces. A lot of people put a layer of Styrofoam as well to let the tank self level, and helps insulate it a little bit for more stable temps.
 
PhysicsDude said:
Stand looks plenty strong enough.

I like to put a layer of 3/4 plywood or OSB on the top to kind of even out the forces. A lot of people put a layer of Styrofoam as well to let the tank self level, and helps insulate it a little bit for more stable temps.
Click to expand...

Thanks I will start building, and I did plan to use the styrofoam as I seen that mentioned in another thread
 
That should be strong enough for your tank only suggestion would be to go with 2x6 stingers for the main supports of the tank and double them up to support the load of the tank evenly across the lenght of the tank maybe even 4x4 in the center uprights. Overkill is never a bad thing
 
I have a 300 gallon on a stand built nearly 20 years ago nearly the same way. Only used 2 x 4 lumber for all support parts, but used 3/4 inch plywood on top, back, & both ends. Front I left open on mine (its in retail location ) so I could put shelves in for displaying items for sale. I glued & screwed everything together ( construction screws & titebond carpenter wood glue ). Personally I am not a fan of post lumber (4 x4, 6x6, etc.) it always ends up twisting. Our family has always been in house & building construction business and seen it too many times. If you can actually find & are willing to pay more for them, true "timber" lumber 4 x 4 has better grain & is less likely to twist. Since your tank is 30" wide I would use 2 x 6 stringers as suggested earlier.
 
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