Stand Question

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piratemike

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 14, 2005
6
0
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60
North Carolina
Hello Everyone,
I am new here and have a question about an aquarium stand. I am planning on getting a 38 gallon tank sometime in the next week or so. After looking at some of the stands in the pet stores, I was a little disappointed in the quality so, I decided to build one of my own. I looked here and on other websites to get the basics of what it should look like and to get structural info.
My stand is 37"L x 13"W and stands about 24" tall. I know this may be alittle late to ask now (as I have already built it) but, I built the frame itself from 1"x4" wood, doubled in the corners and 2 supports in the front(opening for a door), and one support on the back center.The are also supports/joist that are attached from front to rear on both the top and bottom rectangles. The stand was then covered with 1/4" plywood on the front and sides and 1/2" on the top for the tank to sit on. Everything was put together with screws. The question is........
Is this stand strong enough to handle the weight of the 38gal tank?

Thanks,

Mike
 
First of all, WELCOME TO MFK!!!
Wow...It sounds really sturdy, how heavy is that thing? I would not see a problem with the weight of the tank and all the gravel and water that goes into it....

Jen ;)
 
It will be fine. Water weighs about 8lbs/g. Including the tank and decorations, typically 10lbs/g is a good rough estimate. That's only 380lbs at most. Soooo, given that a singe 2x4 can support roughly 600lbs, you're gonna be fine.
However, anything larger than that and I would recommend that you use gorilla glue and 2x4s and notch them. Anywho, post some pics!
 
Your stand is plenty strong enough. I build custom stands for customers fairly often. On that size tank all you need is the 4 corners supported, you have gone way beyond that. Make sure that the corners are level (not one higher or lower than the others) if one is off just a little, just shim it.

I agree with you that the factory built stands are not the greatest. Many of them use staples to hold them together. As cheaply as the factory stands are built, they hold up Just fine. As sturdy as you describe that you have built yours, you should have nothing to worrie about.

Joel
 
Thanks for all the responses. I kinda thought it may be alittle overkill but, better safe than sorry. As far as the weight goes...I am not sure. The 2x4 construction seemed like it would be very heavy that is why I went the way I did. I will try to weigh it this weekend but, it is not very heavy at all. I just finished staining it tonight and wiil urethane it tommorrow. I stained it a dark mahogany to match our living room furniture.
I have never been much of a carpenter but, I will say that I am very pleased with the way this has turned out.

Later,

Mike
 
lets see some pictures! :clap
 
Hello Again,
Thanks for all the responses. I have a couple of photos but, I do not know how to post or attach them. If someone could tell me how, I would be happy to share. Although, I must say the the pic quality is poor due to the sorry, little "toy", digital cam I have.

Thanks ,

Mike
 
The great thing about building your own stand is deciding on the height you want. I was always sick of 30" stands. I am 6 feet tall and built a 42" stand for my 75g. Brings it up to eye level.
 
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