Is this stand good enough??(pics)

[terd ferguson]

I'll get some pictures up later today of the 55 gallon stand I just finished yesterday to give you an idea of a stronger design. Again, not that there's anything wrong with yours that I can see. Just that stronger is better.

As promised...

The top will most likely be 1/2" plywood. If it were for a bigger tank, like yours, I'd probably add 4 more vertical legs (2 in the front and two in the back) along with 4 (2 top and 2 bottom) horizontal braces for each leg. I'd also make the top out of 3/4" plywood.

I hope this helps if you decide to redo yours. Good luck.

 

[Liam]

I'm going to make something like that, but in open bits I'm going to enclose with maybe ply wood on the back and some pine slats on the front. Put 2 doors in there for a shelf and a tub for feeder fish.

 

[Mystix212]

I would add some cupboards to hide the canisters and misc things. But I would also add more bracing.

 

[terd ferguson]

I'm going to make something like that, but in open bits I'm going to enclose with maybe ply wood on the back and some pine slats on the front. Put 2 doors in there for a shelf and a tub for feeder fish.

I made one like that for my 54 corner tank. using 1/4" oak plywood and trim for the outside. It came out ok. Check it out...

As far as the 55 goes, I wanted something a little more simple. I'll use a 1x10 in the bottom for a "shelf". The 55 will have hong offs, so no need to hide canisters. It'll be in my office so no need for a show type stand.

 

[outlaw]

you can always put elbows in the corners and also one solid backpiece screwed in tightly

 

[prophets]

Well if you're going to skin it...skin it around the sides and back...make a access door or two for the front utilizing 3/4" ply or better yet...red oak or birch this way you can stain it and poly it. If you do this, you don't need the "X" braces, this way you will have access to the bottom to store your odds and ends.

Cover the back with regular plywood as this won't be seen as you have the tank against the wall. Middle of the tank cut the size you need from top to bottom, as for the sides too. The openings on the left and right, make access doors and use any spare ply/red oak to cover the vertical beams on the top and bottom to give a nice flush look.

Good luck.

 

[jus1time]

Once you put the plywood on it will be enough support. no need for cross bracing.

 

[joey02]

ended up putting 2 braces in the front and 1 in the back. also put a piece of 1inch styrofoam under the tank. so now im more confident with the tank being ok. i will be wraping it in 3/4 inch plywood also as that is a great idea for looks and extra bracing!! or might use pine boards(1 inch thick, 6 inch wide) which would add more bracing? im leaning toward the boards as i think it would look nicer.

 

[terd ferguson]

ended up putting 2 braces in the front and 1 in the back. also put a piece of 1inch styrofoam under the tank. so now im more confident with the tank being ok. i will be wraping it in 3/4 inch plywood also as that is a great idea for looks and extra bracing!! or might use pine boards(1 inch thick, 6 inch wide) which would add more bracing? im leaning toward the boards as i think it would look nicer.

The plywood will be stronger. Put the 1x6 in the front and sides (for looks) and plywood on the back (for strength) and you'll be more than good to go.

 

[David R]

If you use ply of MDF to cover it that will be enough diagonal bracing.
The stand for my old 150g was made from 4x2, a pic is worth 1000 words, so excuse my awesome mspaint skilz! IMO thats much better way to distribute the weight evenly that just having the pieces screwed together.