stand build help!

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mikem1152

mikem1152

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2010
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bristol r.i
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so iam looking into building my first stand for my 55 and i have a couple concerns first off is whats the best way to build it? a lower frame and upper with supports going across the middle vertically? now am i better off using heavey duaty nails framing nails from my nail gun or screws and what type of wood 2x4 2x5 4x4? ive been looking around this diy thread and can only find 250gal stand builds and up so i just need a little advice and refferances before i go ahead if anyone has build on and have plans id loved to view them to get a good idea i dont wanna build on to have it fall apart in my room thanks you so much for your time i truly appericate it :)
 
heres the stand i build for my 55

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You do not need any thing more than plywood for your stand. To get an idea go to your LFS and look at a stand. Better yet go to Wally world they have them in a flat box. They are nothing more than press board and the will hold a 55 up for ever unless you get it wet.

I built a stand for my 75 28" high out of 3/4" sanded plywood. I went to Lowes and had the guy cut it on the jig. First I had him cut three 3" strips, then had him take off approximately 11", leaving a 28" piece.
A little bit of cutting when I got it home. I screwed the front to the sides and filled the screw holes. I used a finish nailer and glued and nailed the 3" strips on as moulding. There is a center support to and bottom to keep the stand from spreading. My GF sanded everything down and coated it with 2 coats of stain with polyurethane (which sucks). Because if it runs it makes light and dark spots just works like crap.

Remember measure twice and cut once, so you don't miscut your moulding like I did.
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I did the front with the intention of adding doors. But I set up the 6 gal Eclipse under there, so I held off on making the doors. Plus I needed to get more plywood. My GF got lazy and didn't finish staining the inside.
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RedDwarf;4132412; said:
Damn redman88:eek:

That's one hell of a overbuilt stand for a 55gal tank. Very clean.
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That's nothing - you should see how overbuilt the stand is for my 110. I used around 130 feet of 2x4s.
 
You can only under build a stand not over build it. There is no such think as over build, just build well or VERY well. I do not trust store bought, press board stands. They get wobbly over time and if they get a tiny bit wet (inevitable) they are junk. I have a 2 year old and large dogs. I do not need one of my stands getting bumped and having a several hundred pound glass box falling on my kid.
I will admit the stank for my 75g is store bought and pretty good but it is not press board either. It is all real wood not glue with wood filler, LOL.

redman88's stand is very similar to how I have build 2 55g stands. 2x4s are very strong when used correctly. That stand is about $25 in 2x4s and $5 in nails. $30 and you have a very strong stand. If you want you can always get some paneling and box it in, trim it and put cabinet doors on it and stain it to make it real nice.
 
I used the same basic plan for my stand. I would rather have it a little overbuilt than ever have the need to worry about it especially with a few dogs and little brothers around.
 
Stand for my 240 ply. Doing the math it will hold around 14000 pounds. 7x the weight of my tank.

earthstudent said:
You can only under build a stand not over build it. There is no such think as over build, just build well or VERY well. I do not trust store bought, press board stands. They get wobbly over time and if they get a tiny bit wet (inevitable) they are junk. I have a 2 year old and large dogs. I do not need one of my stands getting bumped and having a several hundred pound glass box falling on my kid.
I will admit the stank for my 75g is store bought and pretty good but it is not press board either. It is all real wood not glue with wood filler, LOL.
Click to expand...

Dont agree with that you cant overbuild. I think that you can overbuild. Not that it is a bad thing, but I want my tanks to be a piece of furniture. That is why I am getting rid of my cinder block stands.

For me the most important thing is to get a balance of form and function.

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What ever you do just take your time, do research, and measure twice cut once.

Good luck, and look forward to seeing the finished poroduct
 
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