DIY stand question

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schwalbach2280

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 15, 2009
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My question is when building a stand for a glass tank, would the 2x4s that are green in this picture be shorter than the total height of the stand? I know the bottom of them are at the lowest point the stand, but what about the top? Should the top be below the top rail edge by about an inch of so or should it be flush? And would be same rule apply to the 2X4 that is colored blue in the top center? Should this be flush or sunk down below the top edge?

stand 12.jpg
 
It really doesn't matter. If you're talking about a standard glass tank with a plastic frame, it's only going to be touching the red and yellow pieces anyway. I would just build it with all those pieces flush.
 
Do you intend to have the tank sit down inside the red and yellow frame? Or does the tank sit on top of the frame?

I can't tell how big the stand or tank is, but you really need to make sure the entire perimeter of the tank is supported. In other words, in this case, the tank exterior dimensions would be equal to the yellow and red "outside to outside". The blue support should then be flush with the top of the frame. The green verticals are adding more vertical support and having them slightly below the frame would be OK.

It appears to be a clean, simple design. If your tank size is over 75 gallon, you should consider another vertical support in the center (or more even if the tank is much bigger).

Nice job!
 
This is a picture that I found in another thread by someone else. But it is just like the stand I am planning to build for a 75 gallon. Only mine, as CLDarnell suggested, will have an addition support in the center. Also, would you put a piece of plywood on top of this under the tank? I have always heard that you want an open surface under a glass tank and a completely flat surface for acrylic. Mine is a glass so I was not sure.
 
A lot of glass tanks will have a support pad in the center of the bottom to support the glass when it is raised due to the perimeter seal. If your bottom glass is elevated slightly and has the support pad, then you would want to provide a support member that matches. If you don't have the support pad and your glass is elevated, then you don't need the support.

Make sense?
 
Since your tank is glass, I am pretty sure you have a frame around the top and bottom. You need to check to see if you have any additional supports on the bottom of the tank.

To put it simply, if you set your tank on a flat surface, any part of your tank that is touching the surface will need to be supported by your stand. You may not have any supports besides the frame itself. You may have one or two supports between the front frame edge and back frame edge. You may have a center support pad that is glued to the glass.

When you get a chance, look at the bottom of your tank and hopefully you will see what I mean.

Good luck!
 
Okay yeah I understand what your saying now. I do not actually have the tank yet I am picking it up thursday. I will give it a look when I get the tank. I am not going to start the build until the anyway. Thanks for the help.
 
i would flush it all and also add center beams from top to bottom in the middle blue piece
 
You're welcome. Be sure to post pics once you get it set up!
 
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