Help with double 55 stand build

[MonsterFishCreeper]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how to go about doing this so that the weight of the top tank is transferred to the lumber and not supported by the screws. This is easy to do when the bottom tank is smaller but for two tanks of the same size I can't wrap my head around it. Looking for some pointers or ideas.

 

[jonclark96]

Notch the vertical pieces to receive the horizontal member that runs along the front and back of the tank. The horizontal supports for the short dimension of the tanks will have the screws bearing the weight, but most of the weight of the tank will be on the long dimension edges.

 

[fishguy306]

I've been trying to work this out as well, I have two sets of 75s that i want to stack and have been a little intimidated by the stand building.

I'm considering making the stand wider than the tanks, that way I can have the vertical wood fully supporting the horizontal pieces. It isn't ideal but I think it should work.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

I've been trying to work this out as well, I have two sets of 75s that i want to stack and have been a little intimidated by the stand building.

I'm considering making the stand wider than the tanks, that way I can have the vertical wood fully supporting the horizontal pieces. It isn't ideal but I think it should work.

I think I've worked out how what I'm going to do. Basically I'm going to add an extra support that runs long ways under the top tank and down the very center. So you will have a horizontal support for the front and rear rim of the tank but also one in very center who's only role is providing additional support for the short horizontal prices that run width wise. Being that the stand still needs to be wider than the top tank you'll have room in the center of the stand to notch it in with 2x4s banged into place. I'll post pictures after I do it to clear this up a bit.

On top of all that I just remembered that I have an extra piece of 1/2" ply at home so I'm going to attach that to the corner horizontal pieces on top that would normally be under the corners of the tank but now sit a few inches out. That should spread any additional weight out. I go way overboard with every stand I make so all of this is overkill and I know it. Jonclarks suggestion is not only easier but I'm sure more than strong enough. He's been doing this a lot longer than I.

 

[fishguy306]

Sorry, I just realized I said wider in my first post, I meant longer. By doing each level at 55" instead of 48" it'll be fully supported without notching the wood. Granted it takes up a bit more space lengthwise, but it should work out ok.

I'm not sure what you mean by the middle support running lengthwise? Unless you are setting up an acrylic tank the glass tank wont likely be touching that center support at all? I guess I'll need to see a pic of how you have it planned. I'll be building a stand tonight for a 125 with a 75 under it, so I guess we'll see how that goes.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

Sorry, I just realized I said wider in my first post, I meant longer. By doing each level at 55" instead of 48" it'll be fully supported without notching the wood. Granted it takes up a bit more space lengthwise, but it should work out ok.

I'm not sure what you mean by the middle support running lengthwise? Unless you are setting up an acrylic tank the glass tank wont likely be touching that center support at all? I guess I'll need to see a pic of how you have it planned. I'll be building a stand tonight for a 125 with a 75 under it, so I guess we'll see how that goes.

Yeah I'll have to snap some pictures when its done. I'm doing the same thing you are by making it longer but there's still no way to have the short width brace supported down to the base without impeding the lower tank.

 

[fishguy306]

Yeah that is true. That said for something like a 55 or even 75 would that cross piece be all that important? It the front and back are both fully supported is is really going to be an issue for the sides to be held by screws? Guess I'll find out when I fill the tanks lol

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

Yeah that is true. That said for something like a 55 or even 75 would that cross piece be all that important? It the front and back are both fully supported is is really going to be an issue for the sides to be held by screws? Guess I'll find out when I fill the tanks lol

Probably not a big deal at all. Jonclark said not to worry about it and I'd trust him he's in the same fish club as me and knows his stuff. I may just end up using bolts for the top one to go from the supported short length beam to the unsupported one the tank is on instead of my initial idea. 2 bolts in each one should do the trick.