supporting a 500 gallon acrylic tank

[trplxj]

I have a quick question about supporting the bottom of my 500 gallon acrylic tank. Currently my stand supports the tank all the way around the outside (from the outside edge in about 3 inches) and has 4 cross braces, no plywood. I'm wondering if I need to add some plywood to the top of the stand or not? I do plan on putting some 1/2" thick foam between the tank and the stand. I could add some plywood if it's really necessary but I would rather not due to the high cost of plywood.

Here's a picture of the tank and stand, I modeled the tank and stand in SolidWorks Before I built it. I didn make the stand a little wider and longer than what can be seen in the picture. The tank does not hang off the edge of the stand

 

[csx4236]

whats one sheet of plywood $ 25 i would use plywood for top.

 

[mcox3]

I would plywood aswell.

 

[mgctutor]

w/out question.... break out the wood... you've gone this far, top it off...

 

[fourty2]

 

[Bud8Fan]

Especially with acrylic, put some plywood on it then top it off with 1/2" foam. The entire bottom surface area of that tank is supporting the water weight.

 

[trplxj]

Thanks for the help, I'll do the plywood and the foam. Here's a actual picture of the stand and tank. It has been changed a little since the first design.

 

[fsc46]

skip the foam. It won't serve a purpose. acrylic tanks have a flat base. foam is used with glass tanks, where the foam helps to transfer the weight from the bottom pane of glass to a flat base that you use as a stand(plywood, table top, dresser).

 

[Bud8Fan]

skip the foam. It won't serve a purpose. acrylic tanks have a flat base. foam is used with glass tanks, where the foam helps to transfer the weight from the bottom pane of glass to a flat base that you use as a stand(plywood, table top, dresser).

I think you are a little mixed up. It's the other way around.

 

[fourty2]

skip the foam. It won't serve a purpose. acrylic tanks have a flat base. foam is used with glass tanks, where the foam helps to transfer the weight from the bottom pane of glass to a flat base that you use as a stand(plywood, table top, dresser).

use something in-between your tank and the plywood i.e foam,fsc46 does not now what he's talking about..