Fish Out Of Water
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- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
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Hello DIYers, I'm new here but I'd like to ask for any advice if anyone has any to offer.
I'm planning to build two separate computer/office desks out of wood that, when merged, will create an L-shaped corner desk. I have some rough drawings and dimensions worked out, but I'm wondering about the structural integrity of wood with loads up to around 1500 lbs. I'll attempt to clarify.
I'm planning for the larger of the desks to support a fish tank on the back half of it, essentially creating a fish tank wall. The area of the desk/stand will be around 5½x2 feet. The dimensions of the fish tank are what I'm currently stuck on in terms of safety and integrity. The dimensions I want to use are roughly 5½x1x3 feet. Something that is long and tall mostly, hopefully with enough room for aquascaping in between. I plan on building an acrylic tank as it's the material that is most readily available, and I also read that it is stronger.
Is 5½x1x3ft. a safe/practical size for a fish tank? My calculations say it's around 120-125 gallons of water which is around 1000 lbs. going more vertically than an average tank of the same volume.
What type of wood is ideal for my plans? Any tips/resources for supportive structures are appreciated. What about counter-balancing the weight? It's difficult for me to explain what I have in mind without diagrams so I'd like to see some thoughts on this, if anyone has anything to offer I would appreciate the insight.
The custom desk I'm planning to support the tank with is similar to this design:
I'm thinking the walls (specifically the back wall) and top could be thick enough to handle the load but I'm not sure if the weight distribution is safe for any bumps against the front of the desk. I should mention this will be setup on a carpeted cement (basement) floor.
I'm looking for 2 answers; Is the tank safe? Is counter-balancing something to consider? And valid opinions in general.
I'm planning to build two separate computer/office desks out of wood that, when merged, will create an L-shaped corner desk. I have some rough drawings and dimensions worked out, but I'm wondering about the structural integrity of wood with loads up to around 1500 lbs. I'll attempt to clarify.
I'm planning for the larger of the desks to support a fish tank on the back half of it, essentially creating a fish tank wall. The area of the desk/stand will be around 5½x2 feet. The dimensions of the fish tank are what I'm currently stuck on in terms of safety and integrity. The dimensions I want to use are roughly 5½x1x3 feet. Something that is long and tall mostly, hopefully with enough room for aquascaping in between. I plan on building an acrylic tank as it's the material that is most readily available, and I also read that it is stronger.
Is 5½x1x3ft. a safe/practical size for a fish tank? My calculations say it's around 120-125 gallons of water which is around 1000 lbs. going more vertically than an average tank of the same volume.
What type of wood is ideal for my plans? Any tips/resources for supportive structures are appreciated. What about counter-balancing the weight? It's difficult for me to explain what I have in mind without diagrams so I'd like to see some thoughts on this, if anyone has anything to offer I would appreciate the insight.
The custom desk I'm planning to support the tank with is similar to this design:
I'm thinking the walls (specifically the back wall) and top could be thick enough to handle the load but I'm not sure if the weight distribution is safe for any bumps against the front of the desk. I should mention this will be setup on a carpeted cement (basement) floor.
I'm looking for 2 answers; Is the tank safe? Is counter-balancing something to consider? And valid opinions in general.
