DIY 10 gallon stand

[CHOMPERS]

I can’t find a photo editor that will let me work with your design. Anyway, here are the dimensions that you want. Keep in mind that these are for using 2x2’s. If you want to use 2x4’s, just let me know. Also, I have allowed for 4” above the tanks for maintenance and 1/2 inch on the sides. My tanks have 2 ½” on each side for access behind them. This space has been very handy for storage and getting to the power strips. However, I have found that 2 ½” is very tight when your arms are much thicker. You can choose to go with clearance on both sides, or maybe four inches on only one side. You will also need four inches behind the tanks for the filters or overflows.

The following are for four ten gallon tanks, one above the other.

Horizontal fronts& backs – 24”

Horizontal sides – 11”

Horizontal centers – 11”

Vertical legs – 66” This is assuming that the first shelf will be four inches off the floor.

Vertical supports – 17”

Vertical floor supports – 4”

Plywood for shelves – 27”x14” These will need to be notched for each leg.

 

[CHOMPERS]

by the way, the whole thing will need to be skinned in plywood for bracing and support. To trim out the exposed 2x4's on mine, I covered them with western red cedar.

Screw and glue the frame. When that is done, the back sheet of plywood should be screwed on with one screw every 3-4 inches. If the side plywood is not going to be covered, they can be attached with finishing nails but they will need to be glued and nailed with one nail every three inches. It sounds like an overkill, but this is going to be tall and skinny. You don't want any play in it at all.

Also before adding the tanks, drill an access hole in all of the shelves so you can run your electrical cords to two power strips. One strip should be for your pumps/filters and the other is for your lights. That way you can turn on/off the lights with the switch on the power strip.

 

[jpatz18]

Yeah i have 13 2x4 now so i did 5 in legs i calulated to to be 70 inches high.)
<--------> i did 22in which i found out was to small. So using 2x4 hwhat length? should i make it 25 in in length. sorry beginner "carpender" What holds mot the weight the middle 2x4?

 

[CHOMPERS]

Yes, 25 inches will be fine. Also the weight is mostly supported by the front and back horizontals. You can neglect the middle piece because there is not that much weight in a ten gallon tank. By using 3/8 inch plywood as a covering over the 2x4's, the weight of the tank will be transfered to the rear 2x4 within 2 1/2 inches. The front of the tank will rest over the front 2x4.

 

[ferco]

Heres a quick/crude drawing i just did. 2 tanks on top two on a lower shelf. use what ever stock you want. for 4 10 gal I think 1x2s would be but 2x4s would be rock solid an you could change to larger tanks if you wanted to.

The pick looks like FA lol