Id like to build a stand for my 84x24 tank where the front is completely open (no center supports). Can I accomplish this with 2x lumber laminated w/ plywood, a all plywood diy laminated beam, a purchased glulam, etc that will be strong enough to span about 6.5 feet free of support? The rest of the stand will be framed with 2x4s and sheathed in plywood. Thanks for your opinions
New 220g stand
- Thread starter remme
- Start date
I don't know about no center support but I have a stand build thread on here somewhere
Thread 'Consturction of 220 stand {pics}' https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/consturction-of-220-stand-pics.56175/
Thread 'Consturction of 220 stand {pics}' https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/consturction-of-220-stand-pics.56175/
I found this sag calculator helpful when recently doing my build: https://woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator/
Can also have AI do the calculations for you, which is even easier than the calculator and you can have a back and forth. FWIW, I wrestled with a lot of the same questions when building my stand. I have sistered 2x6’s as beams over a 73” run (no center beam) holding a 125g, with minimal deflection achieved, but I wouldn’t trust that on your 220.
Can also have AI do the calculations for you, which is even easier than the calculator and you can have a back and forth. FWIW, I wrestled with a lot of the same questions when building my stand. I have sistered 2x6’s as beams over a 73” run (no center beam) holding a 125g, with minimal deflection achieved, but I wouldn’t trust that on your 220.
I designed the steel stand for my glass 500g after discussing the weight and deflection calculations with Warren who wrote this article on calculating glass thickness. To span the 110cm gap between the front and back 100x50x3mm box while keeping the deflection of the steel less than that of the glass bottom panel we used 100x50x5mm box steel, on edge of course. If the deflection of the steel under load is greater than the deflection of the glass under the same load then it is not effectively supporting it. If you're trying to span double that length while properly supporting the aquarium you're going to need something incredibly rigid. Of course, people always get away with a lot less, but then you're relying on the safety factor of the glass (or acrylic).