DIY Stand Question

mn jeff · 01/08/2010, 11:36 PM

I'm building a stand for my 60 gallon. I was looking at the huge thread on DIY stands and I can't really find the answer to my question.

The footprint of my tank is 36"x18" and I'm building a peninsula-style stand. I'm planning to use 3 20 gallons in the base for a sump, so I need the stand to have a 39"x25" space clear of any supports to put the 20s at the bottom of the base.

This is where I'm having a problem. Since the footprint of the aquarium is less than the open space in the footprint of the base, am I better off running support beams on the top of the stand across its width or its length. It would be easier to run the beams lengthwise, but I don't want to sacrifice stability and support.

Hopefully this description wasn't too confusing. Any help is appreciated.

Rowe78 · 01/08/2010, 11:44 PM

I would just run some more support lengthwise.

foster200 · 01/09/2010, 12:02 AM

60 gallons of water is heavy, yeah. but its not that heavy. Im not really sure what you plan on using for your shell of it, but if you run 3 2x4's length wise to span the 39" and then cover it with plywood it would most definately hold it. depending on your legs of course. run the 2x4 so that the "2" faces up, it holds many times more weight than the other way around. Not that you would break it anyway with 60 gallons, but still.

ERICinFL · 01/09/2010, 07:36 AM

Build your stand at 39x25, then make sure you have horizontal braces under each side of the tank. Tie those in to a corresponding vertical brace and you should be fine. Depending on how high your stand will be, you may want to throw in a diagonal brace or two.

01/08/2010, 11:36 PM	#1
mn jeff Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 77	DIY Stand Question I'm building a stand for my 60 gallon. I was looking at the huge thread on DIY stands and I can't really find the answer to my question. The footprint of my tank is 36"x18" and I'm building a peninsula-style stand. I'm planning to use 3 20 gallons in the base for a sump, so I need the stand to have a 39"x25" space clear of any supports to put the 20s at the bottom of the base. This is where I'm having a problem. Since the footprint of the aquarium is less than the open space in the footprint of the base, am I better off running support beams on the top of the stand across its width or its length. It would be easier to run the beams lengthwise, but I don't want to sacrifice stability and support. Hopefully this description wasn't too confusing. Any help is appreciated.

01/09/2010, 07:36 AM	#4
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	Build your stand at 39x25, then make sure you have horizontal braces under each side of the tank. Tie those in to a corresponding vertical brace and you should be fine. Depending on how high your stand will be, you may want to throw in a diagonal brace or two. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

01/08/2010, 11:44 PM	#2
Rowe78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 38	I would just run some more support lengthwise.

01/09/2010, 12:02 AM	#3
foster200 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 157	60 gallons of water is heavy, yeah. but its not that heavy. Im not really sure what you plan on using for your shell of it, but if you run 3 2x4's length wise to span the 39" and then cover it with plywood it would most definately hold it. depending on your legs of course. run the 2x4 so that the "2" faces up, it holds many times more weight than the other way around. Not that you would break it anyway with 60 gallons, but still.