Stand help for 450g acrylic tank.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

SpeshulEd

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 7, 2009
1,262
2
66
in a yellow submarine
speshuled.smugmug.com
I'm picking up a 450g acrylic tank tomorrow and need to build a stand for it. Actually, I'm having a general contractor friend build it for me, if I buy the wood and come up with the plans. Easier said than done.

I found this website: http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildStand.asp

It seems helpful, and here's what it came up with for a wood cutlist:
Stand Dimensions:


Stand Height = 30"
Stand Width = 36"
Stand Length = 96"
Cut List:


Top Frame:
2 - 2 x 4 x 96
6 - 2 x 4 x 33
Bottom Frame:
2 - 96 x 2 x 4
4 - 2 x 4 x 33
Uprights:
10 - 2 x 4 x 30

Stand Top:
1 - 3/4 inch plywood - 96 x 36

Aquarium Stand Construction Procedure a. Inspect all pieces for rough or flawed edges. Sand as needed.
b. Lay out boards for top frame.
c. Screw the end boards and supports to front and back pieces
d. Lay out boards for bottom frame.
e. Screw the end boards and supports to front and back pieces

f. Screw the upright boards to bottom frame.
g. Screw the upright boards to the top frame.
h. Put the 3/4" plywood top on the stand.
i. Cover the stand with your choice of covers i.e 1/4 inch finish plywood.
Click to expand...

Somehow that doesn't seem nearly strong enough to hold something that weighs almost 2 tons.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated on this.
 
Hell im using more uprights for a 55gallon stand just because.

These are my plans that are based on 75gallon plans, 16 total uprights. I possibly could use it for a car stand if needed haha.

Stand Plans.jpg
 
I agree. I wouldn't use 2x4s for a 450G tank stand. I would probably use either doubled up 2x4s or 4x4s.
 
Yeah, I've looked through a ton of diy stand threads now and I don't think there's anyway possible the original stand would do the job. I think I'm going to 4x4's and doubled 2x4's and just reinforce stuff like crazy.

Better safe than sorry. I'll just have to put more thought into it and actually have to come up with the plans myself rather than just chugging numbers into a website.
 
here's some pics of my 450g stand.

Sorry no plans though

Used 4x4s and 2x6s everything is carraige or lag bolts no screws.
P1120299.JPG

P1120300.JPG

there are 4 additional cross pieces installed then shown

P1120307.JPG

The pics don't really show the 3/4" plywood that tops the stand. There will eventually be oak wrapping the entire stand for a finished look

P1120470.JPG
 
Excellent stand pictures guys, those are a big help. When I picked up the tank today the guy said he normally makes 2" steel tube stands. I've looked into this in the past and it always seems more expensive than it should be.

My other idea was the steel industrial shelving/pallet racks that you see things on at costco/home depot. I'm gonna make some calls tomorrow around town and see if I can't find anything like that in a reasonable size. However, I think I'd still like to do wood as I think that'd be the cheapest.

Bderick67;3524549; said:
there are 4 additional cross pieces installed then shown
Click to expand...

quick question...where are these? Do you just have them across the top and bolted to the 2x6's? My tank looks to be identical to yours, and I like that style stand. It'd provide plenty of room for my sump and plumbing.
 
SpeshulEd;3525238; said:
quick question...where are these? Do you just have them across the top and bolted to the 2x6's? My tank looks to be identical to yours, and I like that style stand. It'd provide plenty of room for my sump and plumbing.
Click to expand...

The four other cross 2x4s are bolted to the 2x6s. So I have 8 across the top with the 3/4" plywood secured down to them with carriage bolts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom