new 8 x 4 x 3 tank build

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fish4me

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2008
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Have begun work on stand for my new plywood build. The tank dimensions will be roughly 8 x 4 x 3.
I have several questions at this point regarding the stand construction. I have probably read about 50 diy stand threads to get knowledge and ideas.

-Currently my stand is framed at the bottom with all 2 X 6's.
-Inside of those are 4 x 4's in each of the corners and also every about 2 ft inside.
-running across the 4 x 4 tops are 2 x 4's that are sitting flat for more surface area. They are across the 4 ft sides.
-my dilemma is what to do next
should I run 2 x 4's running the 8 foot length on top of the horizontal pieces about every 1.5 ft making 3 total and screw those into the 2 x 4's/
or
do you think the 4 2x 4's would be strong enough if supported in the center.

-also, I am a little concerned with the height of the stand. It will sit about 39 inches at the top. Wondering whether the 4 x 4's with all the bracing will be strong enough to hold a tank this size or whether I should cut the 4 x 4's down several inches to make the overall stand sit lower....
 
The surface area contact isn´t as important as you think. You´d be better off running the top 2x4 beams vertical instead of flat along the 4 foot lengths. I would tend to side screw or better butt and screw the 4 foot 4 x 2´s into the 4 x 4 legs. If you are still concerned about surface area then lay a sheet of strong ply across the top of the stand.

If you do choose to leave the 4x2´s flat then a middle leg on each 4 foot beam will be a must (be especially careful the middle legs aren´t sitting proud at all). Even with vertical 4 foot 4x2´s i´d recommend a middle leg for each beam though. If the middle leg poses a problem then you will have to use much stronger 4 foot beams.

Linking the 4 foot cross beams together under the tank shouldn´t be necessary if you have a strong top beam running vertically along the 8 foot length front and back.

To overcome the height problems you can use judiciously placed diagonal beams to stabilize the whole stand.

Just my 2 cents worth

j<><
 
So, after almost totally completing the stand I found out that pressure treated lumber may be toxic and may not be a good thing to have in the house. So, I tore the whole stand down tonight and will be using all untreated 2 x 4's. I will also be adjusting the height so that it is about 28 inches in height rather than 39 or so.
 
I have made some progress on the 2 x 4 stand. As the earlier post stated I had almost completely finished a 4 x 4 stand made of pressure treated lumber but decided that I did not want that in my basement.
So, I have framed the 2 x 4 stand and have finished about two legs.
My question now is:
with the rectangle frame on the floor, I am concerned when we get heavy rains and there is a little bit of water. It is an unfinished basement. Any ideas for how to waterproof the base of the stand. I am thinking.........

1. Use waterproof paint to paint the bottom frame
2. Put some sort of barrier under the stand, like a plastic/rubber mat.
 
fish4me;3697972; said:
I have made some progress on the 2 x 4 stand. As the earlier post stated I had almost completely finished a 4 x 4 stand made of pressure treated lumber but decided that I did not want that in my basement.
So, I have framed the 2 x 4 stand and have finished about two legs.
My question now is:
with the rectangle frame on the floor, I am concerned when we get heavy rains and there is a little bit of water. It is an unfinished basement. Any ideas for how to waterproof the base of the stand. I am thinking.........

1. Use waterproof paint to paint the bottom frame
2. Put some sort of barrier under the stand, like a plastic/rubber mat.
Click to expand...

.the tank I am building will sit outdoors under a patio cover but still exposed to water when it rains I am plan on painting the entire thing with killz primer then a top coat for the exterior I will also put some type of cualking around the entire base where it meets the concrete to keep the water from getting under the tank
 
To water proof the stand I would use dryloc. As we have seen in many thread this is used inside the tank for backgrounds. Kilz is good for incidental waterproofing or anti mildew, but the dryloc will withstand standing water. Just IMO.

Subscribed and watching :popcorn:

I am starting my first plywood build first of the year.

Bear
 
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