6 foot stand build material for acrylic tank

Daddyrawg · 08/02/2020, 11:13 AM

Should i use 2x4 or 2x6.?.gonna be 36" tall stand for acrylic tank

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Sk8r · 08/02/2020, 11:18 AM

Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.

Daddyrawg · 08/02/2020, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.

Thanks sk8r.. its a 6 x 2 x 2

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Daddyrawg · 08/02/2020, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual.

Waterproof the 3/4 and the 2 x 4s? Or just 3/4 ply?

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Sk8r · 08/02/2020, 12:12 PM

Waterproof everything including the screw heads once seated. Water finds a way, and it will disintegrate wood. Work spent sealing and curing that stand on all surfaces will mean you will not get hit with trouble later in splashover or salt creep or spills or outright overflows that can weaken your stand. You're going for a 6 foot length and mega problems if you find one corner of your stand starting to go soft.

Daddyrawg · 08/02/2020, 12:23 PM

So 2 x 4s ok? I waterproof it all

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Sk8r · 08/02/2020, 01:32 PM

Should be. If you want to be doubly sure of your uprights staying 'true' do a triangle insert on either side of the joint just a triangular shape cut by cutting a square of 2x4 diagonally in half. This way you've got 6 nails stabilzing that joint instead of 2. And I would not do just 4 uprights (at corners). You need two or three supporting your doors, and sufficient braces on the back side of that 6 foot run. Liquid Nails on those joints couldn't hurt, in addition to the regular steel ones. Note: I tend to overbuild, but likewise I don't have things warp out and skew---I am NOT a carpenter, understand, but I've gone a lot of household remodel. One item that worked super well for me: I got a piece of preformed kitchen formica countertop that serves well for a rimmed and utterly water and chemical proof top that gives me a little 'lip' for my tank (in this case my sump, which is freestanding in the basement) and lets me set test materials and whatnot down. If you have a freestanding sump, it is a very good, easy top. Wouldn't advise it for the main tank, however: sleek is better.

Sk8r · 08/02/2020, 02:27 PM

We also have a DIY forum where you can get other advice, too.

Daddyrawg · 08/02/2020, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

We also have a DIY forum where you can get other advice, too.

Thank you I am researching everywhere

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08/02/2020, 11:13 AM	#1
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	6 foot stand build material for acrylic tank Should i use 2x4 or 2x6.?.gonna be 36" tall stand for acrylic tank Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

08/02/2020, 11:18 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Using a 3/4 ply for the outer skin (waterproofed to the max on all surfaces inside and out, 2 coats) should make the 2x4 quite enough. You're acrylic, which is way light; but you don't state width and depth of tank, which could make a difference if unusual. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/02/2020, 12:12 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Waterproof everything including the screw heads once seated. Water finds a way, and it will disintegrate wood. Work spent sealing and curing that stand on all surfaces will mean you will not get hit with trouble later in splashover or salt creep or spills or outright overflows that can weaken your stand. You're going for a 6 foot length and mega problems if you find one corner of your stand starting to go soft. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/02/2020, 01:32 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Should be. If you want to be doubly sure of your uprights staying 'true' do a triangle insert on either side of the joint just a triangular shape cut by cutting a square of 2x4 diagonally in half. This way you've got 6 nails stabilzing that joint instead of 2. And I would not do just 4 uprights (at corners). You need two or three supporting your doors, and sufficient braces on the back side of that 6 foot run. Liquid Nails on those joints couldn't hurt, in addition to the regular steel ones. Note: I tend to overbuild, but likewise I don't have things warp out and skew---I am NOT a carpenter, understand, but I've gone a lot of household remodel. One item that worked super well for me: I got a piece of preformed kitchen formica countertop that serves well for a rimmed and utterly water and chemical proof top that gives me a little 'lip' for my tank (in this case my sump, which is freestanding in the basement) and lets me set test materials and whatnot down. If you have a freestanding sump, it is a very good, easy top. Wouldn't advise it for the main tank, however: sleek is better. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. Last edited by Sk8r; 08/02/2020 at 02:26 PM.

08/02/2020, 02:27 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	We also have a DIY forum where you can get other advice, too. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/02/2020, 12:23 PM	#6
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	So 2 x 4s ok? I waterproof it all Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk