Tips For Building Tank Stand For 4 Tanks

[simonas]

I've bought three old tanks today for my garage

33x16x16
36x17x12
30x16x16.5
I also have a 30x15x12

I've noweher to put them and have limited funds and plan to build a stand for em. I was thinking two up two down but what materials have people used in the past and what design, It'll be in garage so it can be crude as anything as long as sturdy. does anyone have any pics of homemade stands?

cheers

 

[Tolak]

http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/20.../Fishroom-Tour/
http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/13...-Fishroom-Tour/

These are 12"x30" tanks for the most part, 18" tall.

Built a serious rack for some 40's, above the tubs, these are 18"x36" tanks, 16" deep, with a row of 20 gallon tanks on the end;

The smaller racks are built with treated 2x4's, 3" deck screws. I like to leave space on the bottom for storage, I've found that leaving 1/2 the depth of the tank above it before starting the next level leaves enough room to work without making it overly tall.

 

[simonas]

fantastic

cheers Tolak

what kind of wood did you use . I can't quite tell how the wood was connected, are they just screwed in and is there a particular style that aids reinforcement

read you post on the link. My wife is at her wits end as well!!!! she just doesn't understand. I'll have to make her a shoe stand with the left over wood to compensate

cheers pal

 

[Tolak]

I use pressure treated 2x4's, these are a little more solid than untreated, and in an environment that gets wet at times they seemed to be the better choice. I start by making a frame that is about an inch larger than the tank base, making sure it is square and level. The shorter sides screw to the longer sides with a pair of 3" deck screws, if you look close you can see them on the ends;

http/img174.imageshack.us/img174/6752/dsc016631bw3.jpg


The legs are screwed to the sides with three screws, again making sure the racks are square & level to each other;

http/img111.imageshack.us/img111/5206/dsc0109814rf.jpg

For tanks the size we are talking here you really don't need the support underneath, along the sides works fine. Many folks will notch the uprights for the crossmembers, this does give much more support, but is overkill for tanks this size. If you guesstimate each of those 29 gallon tanks weighing 360 pounds full, dividing the weight by 12 screws, gives you 30 pounds per screw. If those screws, tightened down, shear at 30 pounds there is something seriously wrong with the screws.

I would build the stands to the size of the larger tank, and either span the level the smaller tank will go on with plywood, or double up the 2x4's on the inside. I put plywood on mine so I have a little work area if I pull a tank.

For larger tanks, or racks, it is advisable to put the legs underneath as I did with the 40 gallon rack, or notch the uprights.

 

[simonas]

been checking wood out today ( sounds quite perverse!!)

in B & Q there was scant wood which looked very strong for the frame and marine ply for the top and lower shelf where the tanks will go.

Just gauging opinions here really but does two tanks on each level sound like too much

 

[flash22]

here a look here

i built a custom stand using this site http/www.londonaquariasociety.com/bbs/to...asp?TOPIC_ID=83

nice simple joints and easy to build wickes are fairly good on price if you know what your after you can order online too http/wickes.co.uk

 

[simonas]

here a look here

i built a custom stand using this site [URL="http/www.londonaquariasociety.com/bbs/to...asp?TOPIC_ID=83"]http/www.londonaquariasociety.com/bbs/to...asp?TOPIC_ID=83[/URL]

nice simple joints and easy to build wickes are fairly good on price if you know what your after you can order online too [URL="http/wickes.co.uk"]http/wickes.co.uk[/URL]

Flash you are a legend cos that is exactly what I am going to do!!!!

good name by the way my dog is called flash!!