Safe Span Questions - First Build

[Raka]

I am building my first stand for am acrylic 125 60x18x24in.

Here is a rough sketch, nothing out of the ordinary following the standard 2x4 build with double corner supports and a guide 2x4s as well for easy construction.

Question specific to the build: Can I span the 5 feet without a center support?

Would love to leave this open for a large sump or multiple breader tanks. I am willing to bump the upper supporting "ring" to 2by if necessary.

 

[deeda]

We built a stand for a 125G tank (72"L x 18"W) and used 2x6 for the top frame and 2x4 for the remaining frame members and NO vertical supports for the front or back openings and it has worked very well for over 5 years with no sagging.

Check out my finished stand at post #7 from another forum Here. It also has the link from Reef Central for basic instructions. I didn't take pics during the construction unfortunately. Another suggestion is to be sure to add some 2x4 supports to the bottom opening IF you plan on adding any weight such as sump, canister filters or tanks as just a simple plywood bottom without underlying supports will sag over time.

Since you will be doing an acrylic tank, be sure the top of the stand is plywood and not open as in your design so the tank is fully supported.

 

[Raka]

We built a stand for a 125G tank (72"L x 18"W) and used 2x6 for the top frame and 2x4 for the remaining frame members and NO vertical supports for the front or back openings and it has worked very well for over 5 years with no sagging.

Check out my finished stand at post #7 from another forum Here. It also has the link from Reef Central for basic instructions. I didn't take pics during the construction unfortunately. Another suggestion is to be sure to add some 2x4 supports to the bottom opening IF you plan on adding any weight such as sump, canister filters or tanks as just a simple plywood bottom without underlying supports will sag over time.

Since you will be doing an acrylic tank, be sure the top of the stand is plywood and not open as in your design so the tank is fully supported.

Thanks for the info!

I will have a sheet of ply as well as about 1in of hardfoam insulation not dictated in the sketch.

 

[Raka]

Went with the 2x6 few dollars for a lot of peice of mind! Came together quite nicely for mt first build.

 

[deeda]

Nice job on the stand and glad you used the 2 x6 for the top frame.

 

[Oughtsix]

I went for 8 x 2x6's, 4 on each side to span 84" for a 72" tank:

So far there is no sign of drooping.

 

[Raka]

I went for 8 x 2x6's, 4 on each side to span 84" for a 72" tank:

Any reason to not use a 6x6 instead?

 

[robmcd]

On another positive note, you can always use it as a workbench in it's next life. That thing is very well supported.

 

[Oughtsix]

Laminated wood is MUCH

Any reason to not use a 6x6 instead?

Laminated wood is MUCH stronger than a single piece of wood! A weakness in the grain of a single piece of wood will often go through the entire width of the wood the adjacent laminates keeps this from happening with a laminated beam. A laminated beam will likewise have much less flex than a single piece of wood.

 

[Raka]

Got the base portion all done!

Now for the top portion to support the bottom of the flat acrylic tank.

I purchased 3/8s laminate but it seems thin, any recommendations or advice?

I'll have the 1in foam on top of that as well.