Please help me tank stand build

[fcamargo6thave]

HI
I need help i am a total idiot when it comes to building things but I do learn quick and with directions i can build lol

I would like to build a stand made of wood which can hold a 37 gallon on the top and a 29 gallon on the bottom...

I know these are not monster tank builds but i need help

Pleaase help what should i buy what type of wood do i need thanks

 

[drizzt04]

alot of the answer depends on what you want the stand to look like, and level of quality. you can use just about anything from 2x4's to plywood to mdf to metal.

personally, i use angle iron or square tube. it makes a super strong stand, and it can easily be covered with wood to make it prettier if thats your thing. of course, i am a welder so steel is my natural first response.

 

[KYeasting]

I built a couple of stands recently. I used 2x4 for the legs. 1x4 were used for trim. Just make sure your design does NOT rely on screws to support the dead weight of the tank. Figure out what height you want your stand to be then subtract 1.75" from the height. Cut another set of 2x4's and set them directly on top of the legs. Screw them in from the top-down. Also, consider a cross brace that goes from the the top on one side to the bottom on the other side. That way if you bump the tanks, you don't have to worry about your stand collapsing from you wrenching the screws out of the top!

 

[fcamargo6thave]

Thanks kyle i knew this wouldnt be so hard the thing i am most worried about is the weight but it is not like i am builing a stand for a 300 gal tank so i should be good

jus one question should the cross brace be wood as well

 

[KYeasting]

Sure. It doesn't need to be big, either. Cross braces carry no load when your tank is sitting still. They come into play when you bump the stand. A 1x4 across the back and one on each side will do the trick.

 

[KYeasting]

One more side note: I looked at stands at Petsmart. Their 125 gal. stands use 1x4 for the legs to support the tank. I built my 55 gal. stand from 2x4's. I could've used 1x4's, but the heavier lumber gives your more more wood for the screws to bite into, and feels more secure as well.