Tank Stand Design - Woodworks requested!

[Cablemonkey]

Hey DIY'ers,

I am in need of a little asistance. I am looking to build a stand for 2 tanks, stacked above each other. The two tanks have the same footprint, just one is taller than the other. I am good at following directions and reading blueprints, just more often then not I make a design just to see or find a much simpler version of what I am trying to do, so I figured I would just come to the source of many great ideas to see what you guys n gals think.

The Aquariums:

70 gallon : 36 x 18 x 24
40 gallon : 36 x 18 x 16

The Stand:
I have a picture in my head of how I would like the stand to look but transferring it to reality is where I have my problems lol. I am going for a finished "armoire" look similar to these with the partial side support: http://www.clearseal.com/cabinets_premier_first.htm having the second tank be above the "hood" of the first tank.

Is it possible or am I stuck in a smoke dream? Thoughts and opinions welcome here, I need to make it like a piece of furniture for it to fly with the wife

Let the ideas commence!

 

[Cablemonkey]

This is kind of what I am trying to do. Sorry for the picture scale, not sure how to adjust it yet, first time using this program.

 

[Cablemonkey]

I was thinking about just making a plywood shell with that veneered plywood and build a support structure under the 70 but I am not sure if the plywood shell itself would be strong enough to hold a loaded 40B? Almost seems like I would have to build a 2x4 support frame then put the plywood around the outside of it.

Plywood: http://www.homedepot.com/Lumber-Com...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[Piscine]

That is a really neat design. I only see one issue..How are you going to clean it?

 

[Cablemonkey]

That is a really neat design. I only see one issue..How are you going to clean it?

The space between the tanks and above the top tank is "open" (front flips up to allow access) to allow for siphons, nets, scrubbers and whatnot. Dimensions are not final as I am still trying to get some size info on some of the equipment I am putting underneath but I am hoping to allow 8" of open space above each tank. Also really planning and doing my homework to try and make as low of a maintenance setup/stock list as possible, hopefully getting it to the point where it pretty much only needs regular wc's/gravel vacuum but still have access for larger scale maintenance if need be.

Trim in front of the tanks will probably be hinged or setup to be remove-able in the unfortunate case I need to pull the tank out for any reason.

Back will have hinged or removable doors for access to pluming and what not (obviously will need to be mostly drained to be able to move it to access those doors lol )

The base will have large slider pads (like the kind for moving pianos) permanently installed underneath it to allow it to be moved a little easier also.

 

[Cablemonkey]

Ok, so I was able to get the height of the canisters I plan to use which allowed me to narrow down the measurements quite a bit so here is an updated image, generally looks the same but measurements are a lot more accurate.

Over all 6.5ft tall, still leaves enough room above for the wife to put some deco that will distract from the tank but gets me one step closer. I think its about time to start a build thread

Any last minute major glitches, ideas or comments?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Am I correct in thinking this will be made of wood?

Is there any way that you can show the structrual components of the stand without the exterior panels?
Can the method of joining the structrual supports and panels be shown or described?

The tank placement on the bottom shelf looks like it can be well supported with some 2x4 legs at each corner.

I believe the top shelf is a cantilever design, being supported only in the back and not in the front. Can you describe more about how you are going brace the upper shelf. I presume the 40 gallon tank will go on the upper shelf. That will be about 400 pounds or more with gravel, water and equipment. This design in wood seems a bit risky. I taught a section on bridge construction in which the students would build scale model bridges. If memory serves, when tested to failure, the cantilever designs always flexed a great deal before giving way.

Perhaps 2x4 boards under the upper shelf that are long enough to stick out the back of the stand several inches and that can then be tied to the bottom of the stand in some way or braced to the back of the stand.

If you do build the stand, perhaps it can be tested with some weights heavy enough to be equal to or greater than the tanks before actually putting full tanks on it. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[muffywrx]

Wow good info skj47. I was going to say perhaps you can support the sides by adding some 2x4 in the front holding up the front of the top shelf. You can still see the sides of the 75 just the corners will be blocked. It would be easier to do.

 

[Piscine]

I think your design will work flawlessly as long as you use good quality plywood and keep to one continuous piece along the sides. Use strips of wood in the corners as screwing blocks and glue and screw everything. To add extra structural support for the upper tank, I would double layer the plywood on the sides. Plywood is very strong when turned up on its side. I would add some internal bracing on the very bottom of the stand to prevent the stand from following any nonconformities in the floor. I would make sure that the measurement shown in red in the picture is at least 14". That will ensure that the largest part of the load has support directly under it. Anything short of someone trying to use the edge of the upper aquarium for a seat, and it will hold.

I have a odd shaped 180g with a stand that is build completely out of plywood and it has been going strong for 16 years...

 

[gomezladdams]

its a cool looking design.Dont know if I would be comfortable with the cantilevered top shelf. I like skjl47's solution to the top shelf. Or if the side supprt came 3/4 of the way out some 2x4 structure inside.