3 Tier Tank Stand

[jonboy8465]

Hi all. I have acquired 3 4ft x 1ft x 1ft tanks and I want to build a 3 tier stand for them in my fish room. My question is if I bolt 2 2x4`s together for the back and the same for the front ,and fix these to 4x2 uprights at the ends with a brace under them from front to back, will this be enough to support the full length of the tank? I don't want to have intermediate supports obscuring the lower 2 tanks. many thanks.

 

[helterskelter]

i would have at least one and use chipboard to support the base of the tank

 

[jonboy8465]

Hi thanks for the reply. I am going to use 3/4 ply for the base of the tank with 1/2 of dense foam to keep it all level.

 

[Tolak]

2x4's will bow a bit over a 4 foot length, go with 2x6's for the 4 foot span. You could also double up the 2x4's to make in effect a 4x4 if you have a lot of spare 2x4's.

I have a 2 tier with a 4 foot 55 gallon on the bottom, and a pair of 20's on top. There is about 1/4" deflection on the top rack with no center legs, the bottom has legs in the center.

 

[squeakytoy]

Tolak, how do you have the 2x4's oriented over the long span? Is the 2" dimension vertical or the 4"?

 

[jonboy8465]

yes that was the idea to double up on the 2x4 if I went for the 2x6 it would make the whole thing too high. what would be the best finish for the timber as i have read that paint can crack and let in moisture rotting the timber from the inside?