120G (5Ft) Stand

[karawr]

Any tips/links on building a 5ft stand.

I was thinking that commercial stands (the one I'm looking at at petsmart, at least) is completely made with 3/4" particle board. Yet all the DIY stands I see on the internet are solidly, maybe over built, with a bunch of 2x4s. Is this really necessary or can I just bolt together some 3/4" plywood (I would never take the particle route, mind you).

I currently have one of those 3/4" particle stands for a 90g. I know that I can lightly push the tank and it will sway. It's not giving me very much sense of security.

Thanks.

 

[wirralbull]

i will be making a stand for a 4'x2'x2' soon with a solid timber frame. 3/4ply on the back and base and cladding the front and sides with either t+g or laminate floor boards. i will be using 4x3 for the frame. if in doubt build it stout..

 

[IainMac85]

if in doubt build it stout..

i agree, im currently in the process of building a tank stand for my 36" breeder tank, its built with 3x2s for the top and bottom and 2x4s for the supporting legs and cladded with pine & mahogany ply, its an absolute tank of a thing and way over built but at least i know its solid and will last unlike alot of the particle board furniture from an LFS, which are in my opinion way over priced! my total build cost so far is around £50-£60!! a stand from an LFS would be easily twice that price

 

[tribalbrit]

Plywood on edge is very strong, not so good if used flat though.. You could perhaps strengthen the edges by placing the ply on edge in strips of 4" or so. Floor joist in buildings are now made of ply on edge with a top and bottom timber of 3" x 2" this allows for much longer spans and is very strong but also very light in weight.
However 120 gallons is more than 1/2 a ton in weight so caution is to be used.
My stand is brickwork so no issues there.