Stand support question

[jmichaelh7]

I took off the top of my aquarium and would like to know if there is suggestions how I should make 2x4 to support an acrylic aquarium .

Stand is Going from glass to acrylic

 

[jmichaelh7]

 

[bradreef]

Just buy an ultra flat surface for it. I used a remnant piece of granite. You can do the workbench butcherblock top.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Just buy an ultra flat surface for it. I used a remnant piece of granite. You can do the workbench butcherblock top.

Well I’m using acrylic not glass so my concern is that it says in the middle

I’m second guessing it for sure

 

[bradreef]

If you build a 2 x 4 frame inside the top. That would spread out the weight. This is what i did.

 

[bradreef]

Here

 

[bradreef]

Then this

 

[jmichaelh7]

Then this

That granite seem like it be heavy.

Lookin nice though

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Just make sure to make the top flat and tie the tops of the 2×4's together in a perimeter frame and across the front to back dimension. Then, you could use 2cm Quartz, Corian solid surface, 3/4" PVC, HDPE, or plywood that is sealed against water. You just want even support under the entire surface of the acrylic tank bottom. You can use polystyrene foam up to 1" thick as a topper to plywood to prevent uneven support. Lots of ways to skin that top!

 

[bradreef]

Just make sure to make the top flat and tie the tops of the 2×4's together in a perimeter frame and across the front to back dimension. Then, you could use 2cm Quartz, Corian solid surface, 3/4" PVC, HDPE, or plywood that is sealed against water. You just want even support under the entire surface of the acrylic tank bottom. You can use polystyrene foam up to 1" thick as a topper to plywood to prevent uneven support. Lots of ways to skin that top!

Agree

Nails and screws into everything

 

[jmichaelh7]

I’m

Just make sure to make the top flat and tie the tops of the 2×4's together in a perimeter frame and across the front to back dimension. Then, you could use 2cm Quartz, Corian solid surface, 3/4" PVC, HDPE, or plywood that is sealed against water. You just want even support under the entire surface of the acrylic tank bottom. You can use polystyrene foam up to 1" thick as a topper to plywood to prevent uneven support. Lots of ways to skin that top!

do you have an example?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Agree

Nails and screws into everything

looking at yours , all i need to do it put 2x4 across the end , and length wise then. t

Agree

Nails and screws into everything

Do you think laying the 2x4 so that it's 2" support instead of upright 4" makes a difference in the loading capacity? I see yours is laying down and every stand build i seen they have them upright.

 

[bradreef]

looking at yours , all i need to do it put 2x4 across the end , and length wise then. t

Do you think laying the 2x4 so that it's 2" support instead of upright 4" makes a difference in the loading capacity? I see yours is laying down and every stand build i seen they have them upright.

I think they are stronger with the 2 inch side up. The 2x4s on mine arent load bearing and just reinforcement for the sides. I felt like the perimiter wood was enough to hold a tank as this stand previously held the same sized tank without a top. I also added load weight support with the verticle supports i added. Tying it all together added a ton of strength and no worry about failure

 

[jmichaelh7]

I think they are stronger with the 2 inch side up. The 2x4s on mine arent load bearing and just reinforcement for the sides. I felt like the perimiter wood was enough to hold a tank as this stand previously held the same sized tank without a top. I also added load weight support with the verticle supports i added. Tying it all together added a ton of strength and no worry about failure

I don’t have braces running at bottom . The 2x4 are vertical screwed in on the bottom sheet of wood. I’m thinking of adding those 2x4 to top and adding horizontal support .

Do you think I should squeeze on down there , or take the panels off and pretty much build the frame around the sump as is . Or do you think the top framing will be good with weight pushing down

 

[bradreef]

I think if you tie the 2 inch side up horizontal 2x4's into all 4 corners and the sides then you will be good.