DIY stand idea 7'x2'x2'

[frazzlerock5]

I'm going to build a stand for my 210 gallon (7'x2'x2') this weekend and wanted some opinions on my stand design.

This is the view if you were laying under the stand looking up at it. My cross braces would go parallel to the 4x4 posts. Does this seem sturdy? Would diagonal cross braces work better? Also, would 10 total 4x4 posts be unnecessary? The reason why I thought to do 10 is because the current stand that the tank is on only has 6, and it doesn't have any cross bracing, and it is not sturdy at all.

This is the view if you were looking straight at the stand as if the tank were on it.

So what do you think? What would you change or do differently?

Obviously it's not to scale and it is a very rough sketch, so please don't critique on my artistic capabilities

Lastly... any recommendations on the height of the stand? I was thinking somewhere in the ballpark of 25-28 inches, going off of the height of the stand of my 125gallon tank.

 

[DaveB]

If it was me, I'd make the stand taller and I'd use a lot less wood.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1169964&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

There are dozens of stands in there using that template that are solid as a rock and hold tanks your size and larger. There are some people in there that built great stands with even less wood. Follow that plan and use 2x8 around the top rim and you'll save money and be all set.

Several people in there make the point that 4x4s are terrible for stands and prone to twisting and warping. I have no idea, but I am inclined to believe them since so many people have experienced it. But it seems pretty clear that 2x4s and 2x8 can get the job done well.

 

[frazzlerock5]

If it was me, I'd make the stand taller and I'd use a lot less wood.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1169964&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

There are dozens of stands in there using that template that are solid as a rock and hold tanks your size and larger. There are some people in there that built great stands with even less wood. Follow that plan and use 2x8 around the top rim and you'll save money and be all set.

Several people in there make the point that 4x4s are terrible for stands and prone to twisting and warping. I have no idea, but I am inclined to believe them since so many people have experienced it. But it seems pretty clear that 2x4s and 2x8 can get the job done well.

Great link and thanks for the info. I think I will definitely incorporate more of that design than my own... thanks a lot.