large stacked tank stand design question

coolfish5 · 05/01/2006, 01:19 PM

I'm curious if anyone has some suggestions for designing a stand for a large tank, that will be supported over another tank.
The tank is 34"x102" at the rim, and I need to support a second one over the first tank (currently on the floor). Tank is 24" deep, not typically filled to the top, so I'd figure about 200 gallons.
Any suggestions for material sizing would be appreciated. I was thinking, 4x4 legs 6 total, and 2x6's across.
Thanks for your help.
John

coolfish5 · 05/02/2006, 11:58 AM

Any thoughts? Too far to span with just a single center brace?

Whaledriver · 05/02/2006, 12:00 PM

You should look into steel warehouse racking like at Home Depo.

coolfish5 · 05/04/2006, 06:00 AM

Here is my thoughts, paired 2x8 front and read, and cross. paired 2x4 legs, maybe 3. Plywood on top of shelf.
Any comments?
John

bwayne315 · 05/04/2006, 08:19 AM

John,

I just built a stand for a 140 gal cub, and I used a 2x6 T with a 2x4 for the four corners, and then I used a 2x4 T with another 2x4 for the center braces. I would also use something along the top the same way, and then you want to make sure to brace the bottom. I could try and send you some pics, of mine that would give you some ideas. I would just be sure not to go much over 20" between each leg. My neighboors have made comments of my stand also acting as a storm shelter (ha ha).

The bottom pic that you have looks fine, but I would maybe use a 2x6 T with a 2x4 atleast for the corners. Then on the top instead of using 2 2x4's flat together you could make them an L shape and the bottom part of the L use a few screws for each leg on the top. Can you look at Cad drawings, it might be easier to send you a Cad drawing. It is always better to have too much support than not enough.

coolfish5 · 05/04/2006, 12:08 PM

Sorry for any confusion. The lower left picture is of the top view of the stand. My problem is I need full access to the lower tank. The room these are going is has limited space, and thus necessitates the stacked tank setup.
The floor is concrete, the lower tank currently rests on the concrete with a styrofoam pad to prevent pressure points (3/4" thick maybe, its the green type).
The picture at the right is the full stand with tanks in place.
Thanks
John

asfullax · 05/04/2006, 12:38 PM

I was going to suggest using an open bottom, or have it rest on a few 2x4's and a plywood sheet. then you wouldent have to really incorporate anything into the stand.

I would say you need at least 8 legs for it to be sturdy, but then again, I used 6 4x4 legs on my 120, so I am a bit overkill lol...

coolfish5 · 05/18/2006, 07:45 AM

Here is a follow up to my questions. Stand is constructed out of 2x10's, two on front, two on back 7 running front to back. Sitting on 4 legs 4x6 notched to support the two 2x10's, ever thing is bolted with carriage bolts (4x6 to 2x10's) and lag bolts (2x10 to 2x10's)

05/01/2006, 01:19 PM	#1
coolfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 358	large stacked tank stand design question I'm curious if anyone has some suggestions for designing a stand for a large tank, that will be supported over another tank. The tank is 34"x102" at the rim, and I need to support a second one over the first tank (currently on the floor). Tank is 24" deep, not typically filled to the top, so I'd figure about 200 gallons. Any suggestions for material sizing would be appreciated. I was thinking, 4x4 legs 6 total, and 2x6's across. Thanks for your help. John

05/04/2006, 12:38 PM	#7
asfullax Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: albuquerque, NM Posts: 415	I was going to suggest using an open bottom, or have it rest on a few 2x4's and a plywood sheet. then you wouldent have to really incorporate anything into the stand. I would say you need at least 8 legs for it to be sturdy, but then again, I used 6 4x4 legs on my 120, so I am a bit overkill lol... __________________ 129 Reef, Custom Cree LED Lighting, 2x54w T5HO, Bubble Magus BM-Curve 7, 55Gal sump - fuge, Iwaki MD40RLXT, Vortech MP40, multiple Hydor's - born 5/1/16 Current Tank Info: 2.5yr old, 129 Mixed Reef

05/18/2006, 07:45 AM	#8
coolfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 358	follow up Here is a follow up to my questions. Stand is constructed out of 2x10's, two on front, two on back 7 running front to back. Sitting on 4 legs 4x6 notched to support the two 2x10's, ever thing is bolted with carriage bolts (4x6 to 2x10's) and lag bolts (2x10 to 2x10's)

05/02/2006, 11:58 AM	#2
coolfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 358	Any thoughts? Too far to span with just a single center brace?

05/02/2006, 12:00 PM	#3
Whaledriver Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,811	You should look into steel warehouse racking like at Home Depo.

05/04/2006, 06:00 AM	#4
coolfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 358	Here is my thoughts, paired 2x8 front and read, and cross. paired 2x4 legs, maybe 3. Plywood on top of shelf. Any comments? John

05/04/2006, 08:19 AM	#5
bwayne315 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: OKC Posts: 395	John, I just built a stand for a 140 gal cub, and I used a 2x6 T with a 2x4 for the four corners, and then I used a 2x4 T with another 2x4 for the center braces. I would also use something along the top the same way, and then you want to make sure to brace the bottom. I could try and send you some pics, of mine that would give you some ideas. I would just be sure not to go much over 20" between each leg. My neighboors have made comments of my stand also acting as a storm shelter (ha ha). The bottom pic that you have looks fine, but I would maybe use a 2x6 T with a 2x4 atleast for the corners. Then on the top instead of using 2 2x4's flat together you could make them an L shape and the bottom part of the L use a few screws for each leg on the top. Can you look at Cad drawings, it might be easier to send you a Cad drawing. It is always better to have too much support than not enough.

05/04/2006, 12:08 PM	#6
coolfish5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 358	Sorry for any confusion. The lower left picture is of the top view of the stand. My problem is I need full access to the lower tank. The room these are going is has limited space, and thus necessitates the stacked tank setup. The floor is concrete, the lower tank currently rests on the concrete with a styrofoam pad to prevent pressure points (3/4" thick maybe, its the green type). The picture at the right is the full stand with tanks in place. Thanks John