Quick question on a Cinder Block stand for xlarge aquarium

[waytoodeep03]

I am in the process of getting an acrylic tank with the dimensions 96"Lx24"Wx16"H. How can I set up a cinder stand for this?

 

[Pharaoh]

Typical cinderblock stands are just blocks with the tank on top. Although, with yours, I would lookd at building a small frame covered in plywood to support the tank as it sits on the blocks.

 

[waytoodeep03]

would styrofoam be needed as well?

 

[sp33dstix]

would styrofoam be needed as well?

It is always always recommended if not required with larger tanks.

 

[Noto]

Cinder block stands worry me; there's usually nothing but the tank's weight holding the blocks together. I, personally, would feel much safer with a 2X4 stand.

 

[Pharaoh]

With acrylic tanks, it is definitely recommended. but not 100% necessary if the stand does not have any flaws. I say to use it.

 

[Bderick67]

Place the blocks with the cells(openings) upward this is the strength of the block.

Cinder block stands worry me; there's usually nothing but the tank's weight holding the blocks together. I, personally, would feel much safer with a 2X4 stand.

Please explain the force that is going to seperate these blocks.

 

[Noto]

Lateral force. The cinder block stands I see usually have two or more short 'walls' that are one block thick, with no blocks set in at an angle and nothing tying the walls together. There is nothing to resist a force perpindicular to the walls' long axes.

 

[Bderick67]

Lateral force. The cinder block stands I see usually have two or more short 'walls' that are one block thick, with no blocks set in at an angle and nothing tying the walls together. There is nothing to resist a force perpindicular to the walls' long axes.

So your conclusion is that if this force was applied to the tank, by say maybe a truck backing into it, that a stand made of 2"x4" would fair better? If properly built it may, but how many people here have the skills to propely build this stand from 2x4s.

Not likely you'll ever see enough force applied to the tank to seperate these concrete blocks. If you have ever set one up you would understand what I'm saying.

 

[Noto]

You're probably right. It just looks unstable to me, is all. If I were to build a cinderblock stand, it would be built with four outside walls and however many interior walls were needed.