I'm designing a stand for an 8' x 30" 300 gallon tank. I had every intention of building a steel stand but my welder isn't at my house so that would mean building at another location, trucking it here, and getting my buddies to help move it in. I came to the conclusion it would be easier to just build it in my house out of wood.
I was very impressed with the 375 gallon stand that Joey Uaru built. It was basic, easy to build, and strong so I thought I would use his design. He used 2x6 lumber for the entire build.
But once I started drawing it up I found the vertical space for my 60 gallon sump was kind of tight. THAT got me wondering if the lower shelf couldn't be built with 2x4s to give me more sump space for the given overall height. I'm already pinching the sump space because I want to use leveling mounts under the stand. I just can't bare the thought of leveling the stand with shims. I'd much rather be able to adjust it level by turning screws. It must be the anal tool maker side of me! I plan on making plates of 1/2" cold rolled steel and tap a center hole for the mounting screw.
THEN I wondered if 2x4s wouldn't be fine in the four corners (there are three vertical boards in each corner). I would still keep the 2x6s in the center locations. So I changed the corner lumber to 2x4s.
I've attached a couple of screen dumps of the top and bottom showing what I have so far. I still plan on wrapping it on three sides with 3/4" plywood.
This should be plenty strong don't ya think?
I was very impressed with the 375 gallon stand that Joey Uaru built. It was basic, easy to build, and strong so I thought I would use his design. He used 2x6 lumber for the entire build.
But once I started drawing it up I found the vertical space for my 60 gallon sump was kind of tight. THAT got me wondering if the lower shelf couldn't be built with 2x4s to give me more sump space for the given overall height. I'm already pinching the sump space because I want to use leveling mounts under the stand. I just can't bare the thought of leveling the stand with shims. I'd much rather be able to adjust it level by turning screws. It must be the anal tool maker side of me! I plan on making plates of 1/2" cold rolled steel and tap a center hole for the mounting screw.
THEN I wondered if 2x4s wouldn't be fine in the four corners (there are three vertical boards in each corner). I would still keep the 2x6s in the center locations. So I changed the corner lumber to 2x4s.
I've attached a couple of screen dumps of the top and bottom showing what I have so far. I still plan on wrapping it on three sides with 3/4" plywood.
This should be plenty strong don't ya think?
