Stand Construction

[spsick]

I’ve built several smaller stands with Rocket Engineer’s design that have held up very well and been bulletproof.

Building my larger to-date and just wondering a couple things.

Tank is 60 x 24 x 22 acrylic.

If I add a single vertical center brace mid-span front and rear am I ok staying with 2x4 construction for the top box frame or do I still need to go to 2x6 for deflection?

Anyone have any weight saving suggestions? My last one was skinned in solid 3/4” oak so it was REALLY heavy for a 75g stand and I’m concerned this one would be over the top for getting it out of my basement once it’s built.

First stand:

Second stand:

 

[spsick]

@RocketEngineer ?

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

I’ve built several smaller stands with Rocket Engineer’s design that have held up very well and been bulletproof.

Building my larger to-date and just wondering a couple things.

Tank is 60 x 24 x 22 acrylic.

If I add a single vertical center brace mid-span front and rear am I ok staying with 2x4 construction for the top box frame or do I still need to go to 2x6 for deflection?

Anyone have any weight saving suggestions? My last one was skinned in solid 3/4” oak so it was REALLY heavy for a 75g stand and I’m concerned this one would be over the top for getting it out of my basement once it’s built.

First stand:

Second stand:

Those are beautiful.

 

[RocketEngineer]

2X6 Red/yellow. Skip the center brace, it will just get in the way. The rest is the same.

 

[spsick]

2X6 Red/yellow. Skip the center brace, it will just get in the way. The rest is the same.

Thanks!

 

[wisnia99]

I’ve built several smaller stands with Rocket Engineer’s design that have held up very well and been bulletproof.

Building my larger to-date and just wondering a couple things.

Tank is 60 x 24 x 22 acrylic.

If I add a single vertical center brace mid-span front and rear am I ok staying with 2x4 construction for the top box frame or do I still need to go to 2x6 for deflection?

Anyone have any weight saving suggestions? My last one was skinned in solid 3/4” oak so it was REALLY heavy for a 75g stand and I’m concerned this one would be over the top for getting it out of my basement once it’s built.

First stand:

Second stand:

How do you like the ATI solar fixture? Are you running it at 100% and how often you replace the bulbs?

 

[Roadkillstewie]

Well, working off the first image... you could shave some weight by utilizing lap joints.
Your corner 'posts' are... 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" utilizing 4x4, or 2-2x4 instead...and notching them for a lapjoint it'd reduce your end weight a tad. Don't know that'd be enough to be appreciable...

 

[spsick]

2X6 Red/yellow. Skip the center brace, it will just get in the way. The rest is the same.

The thought was going to 2x6 on top loses me 2” height for skimmer removal/cleaning but the midspan vertical to stay with 2x4 would not cause much inconvenience.

 

[spsick]

How do you like the ATI solar fixture? Are you running it at 100% and how often you replace the bulbs?

Yes the only problem is they grow coral so fast I have to keep upgrading! I run them at 100% and stagger bulb replacement every 6 months.

 

[spsick]

@RocketEngineer one more question:

I know you’re not a huge fan of plywood, but what would be your opinion on building a stand with your frame design out of 3/4” plywood, with 2 strips laminated to make each 2x4? There would be center supports front and back, and a sheet for the top.

I got 4 sheets of cabinet grade veneer core red oak for a song and using it would save me having to skin the stand. It’s soooo nice to be able to make straight square boards….

 

[Mikeltee]

I'd use solid wood. You do excellent work. Skin it to win it...

 

[RocketEngineer]

@RocketEngineer one more question:

I know you’re not a huge fan of plywood, but what would be your opinion on building a stand with your frame design out of 3/4” plywood, with 2 strips laminated to make each 2x4? There would be center supports front and back, and a sheet for the top.

I got 4 sheets of cabinet grade veneer core red oak for a song and using it would save me having to skin the stand. It’s soooo nice to be able to make straight square boards….

It can be done that way but if you have the material, I would be inclined to make each faces one solid piece instead of strips. If you have 4 full sheets, make front and back full, make the ends out of the 3rd, and the top out of the 4th.

If you do go the laminating route, the front and back long sides would do best doubled but the short ends can likely stay a single layer.

HTH

 

[spsick]

It can be done that way but if you have the material, I would be inclined to make each faces one solid piece instead of strips. If you have 4 full sheets, make front and back full, make the ends out of the 3rd, and the top out of the 4th.

If you do go the laminating route, the front and back long sides would do best doubled but the short ends can likely stay a single layer.

HTH

Right on thanks it does help!

I had not considered making the faces full pieces. Would be tricky to get straight cuts being too large a workpiece for my table saw but I’ll let the idea noodle around and see what I can manage.

 

[NancyFish]

I’ve built several smaller stands with Rocket Engineer’s design that have held up very well and been bulletproof.

Building my larger to-date and just wondering a couple things.

Tank is 60 x 24 x 22 acrylic.

If I add a single vertical center brace mid-span front and rear am I ok staying with 2x4 construction for the top box frame or do I still need to go to 2x6 for deflection?

Anyone have any weight saving suggestions? My last one was skinned in solid 3/4” oak so it was REALLY heavy for a 75g stand and I’m concerned this one would be over the top for getting it out of my basement once it’s built.

First stand:

Second stand:

The white one is gorgeous and definitely keeping in mind for our build - I was wondering how to handle the behind the tank hiding plumbing without looking too wonky!