Wood stand for large dual tank setup

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Mudfrog

Mudfrog

Piranha
MFK Member
Oct 3, 2005
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I've had over under setups for tanks (Currently using one now) but never for anything that large. Can someone point me in the right direction as to how the stand should be made. I've always used just your basic 4 leg 2x4 style setup with these but it has always been tanks 55g or less. Ultimately I want either a 180g on top and 125g on bottom or 150g and 125g.

So how should a dual tank stand be built, I would imagine the 4 leg style would be no where close to sufficient.
 
The 2x4 design will work just fine for this setup as well. You could add in a little more bracing to be sure of it, but the concept is the same. 2x4s are a lot stronger than most people tend to think.
 
I would use 4x4 uprights and 2x6's for the crossovers. Notch the 4x4's for the 2x6's. Cover the 2x6's with 3/4" plywood and all together you have a H.D./bullet proof stand!
 
I tend to over build things so you may choose to do it differently.

Due to the length of the 180/125s I would build it to fit the 180 on the lower section using 6 legs. Having a perimeter support for the 180 with the 2x4's on edge, not laid flat. They are much stronger this way.

The upper section I would have the 4 end legs run up to the height you want for your 125. Then build a frame of 2x4's on edge again and put a deck of 1/2" plywood on it to help box in the frame and made it one stronger piece.


I can draw pictures if needed. But basically your 180 would have 6 legs under it with the 125 spanning across the top of it.

Make sure the upper pieces sit ON TOP of the legs and are not just nailed or glued to the sides of the legs. Much stronger and safer this way. An example would be a glass tank. All the sides sit on top of the bottom piece.
 
I will definitely go with a 125g on the bottom as I want a shorter tank for more clearance. I might even do just a 125g on top for the same reason, it just depends on what is available.

So based on two 72x18 tanks the 2x4 - 4 leg design would be sufficient? I could use 4x4s for the legs if needed. I just want to make sure that the 6ft long stretch will indeed support that kind of weight.
 
Mudfrog;3706794; said:
I could do one like that but it would block the view for the bottom tank.
Click to expand...


you are right, i was not thinking about that. cuz i plan on putting doors on the bottom to cover it.

good luck and have fun with your build.
 
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