Will this aquarium stand design work?

[yhbae]

I'm basically looking for an opinion from someone who are experienced in building the stands.

I'd like to have a 65g sitting at the top, and 3 20g long tanks in a rack under the 65g with enough clearance to work on them.

Here's my proposed design:

http/www.freewebtown.com/johnb/Misc/Tank2.jpg

 

[carrcn]

I would think not from the pictures in the link. You're going to have 48 inches of tank supported only at the corners. That thing is going to weigh over 500 pounds and possibly push 750 or more. And this is just from the 65 gallon tank. I would run some supports in the middle, one in front and back so the bottom of your tank doesn't bow and end up causing leaks or even worse, breaking.

Also, in your picture, not sure if I'm seeing this right or not. It looks like you've got 4 2x4's supporting each corner. This is good, but make sure the 2x4's are under the tank itself, with the 2x4 that runs under the length of the tank sitting on top of them. It looks like you've got a 2x4 running under the tank, with the corner supports attached to the outside. This means you're going to have over 500 pounds supported by 8 screws, 2 in each corner support going through to the 2x4's that run under the tank. This is not good. Be sure to place them under the frame that supports the tank. Pine has a compressive strength of around 650-750 psi, so you'll be fine building it out of pine, while saving a little money.

Another way of explaining this. Build a frame in the shape of a rectangle out of 2x4's or whatever size wood you choose. I wouldn't go less than a 2x2. Make the outer rectangle dimensions a little larger than the outside dimensions of the tank so the bottom will be resting on these without it sitting on the extreme edges of your frame. Place the corner supports at each corner UNDER the frame you just built. I would also add two in the middle to distribute the weight a little more evenly.

Sorry if this doesn't fit your plans, but I think you're going to have some really bad results if you don't add some middle supports or attach the corner supports underneath the tank. Don't know what to do about the middle tank???

To add a little credibility, I am an engineer. And have nothing to do with trains! I haven't run the numbers on it, but have a pretty good feel about how to build things. Comes with the territory I guess.

Check this link out. I've put together a model for you. Hope it helps.

 

[Unphased]

why would you only wanna see the sides of the 20 gals and not see them long ways? i dont under stand that...

 

[yhbae]

First of all, carrcn, I really appreciate your help on this. Your diagram really helps!

One question though - I thought I was placing 2x4 vertically under the corners of the tank. I don't see how screws will hold any weight of the tank unless I mistakenly introduce a small gap at the bottom of the "orange" beam which will support the weight. (May be my diagram isn't clear).

Unphased, the only reason I do this is because I have no more than 24ft room on the wall, but I can afford more depth. Since the 3 20g tanks will be used for breeding setup only, it will not look very interesting visually. I'd like to put most of my efforts in making the 65g (looks like it is gonna be 80g now, since that is all they have at my LFS!).

 

[jeef]

all you need for a stand is x amount of milk crates and a crappy old blanket
may not glamourous, but it will get the job done...and for free
grocery stores will give them to you if you ask..

just an idea

 

[yhbae]

all you need for a stand is x amount of milk crates and a crappy old blanket
may not glamourous, but it will get the job done...and for free
grocery stores will give them to you if you ask..

just an idea

Thanks for the suggestion, but as I mentioned, I can't afford that much room. I'd like to have as much tank as I can fit, but the 20g tanks don't need to be fully visible from their sides. I can't see how I can use the milk boxes to arrange the tanks the way I want...

 

[carrcn]

I couldn't really tell if there was 2x4's under the corners or not. Just wasn't sure, but if so, great. That's where they need to be. From your pic, I couldn't tell, but I did see the black beams, and I thought you were using screws there. And no, screws won't hold your tank the way I initially saw your diagram. So my mistake.

What are the dimensions on an 80 gal??? Might be able to fit 3 20's under a tank that size if it makes it any wider. Good luck.

Edit: I posted a response to your question in the link provided above in other forum.

 

[yhbae]

Ultimately, I was going to use the black one to not support any weight, but to be able to hold the other vertical beams together. Obviously, if this beam isn't necessary, I won't do it, but I am imagining placing a heavy object, supported at four corners using 4 chopsticks... I'm not worried about it getting compressed downwards, but I am worried about it giving away sideways (hence the black beams)...

On the other hand, what do I know about designing stands?

 

[carrcn]

Well, there is only going to be a downward force acting on the stand, unless you run into it with a forklift , so the black beams aren't going to give you any more structural strength. Douglas-fir has a ultimate compressive strength of 720 psi, ponderosa pine has 530 psi, and western white pine has 500 psi. Don't know what lumber you have available where you're at, so there's some references if you can't find any. Basically, if you use Douglas fir and stand a 1x1 on end, place 720 pounds on it evenly across the entire cross-section, it'll hold. Granted, it won't stand up, but it won't buckle. Each 2x4 gives you 5.25 square inches, so one will hold close to 3780 pounds, if placed evenly across the top.

Your cross-members will give you strength from any sideward forces. You just need enough to keep it from falling over. Looking at my design, I forgot to add any cross-beams. If you go look at the other post again, I'll put up another pic shortly to give you a visual. But once you build it, try and twist it any which way. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Mine is solid as a rock. Slightly different, but same idea. The only real difference is I don't have a step like yours for the smaller tanks underneath. I'll post another pic in a few minutes.

 

[yhbae]

Thanks for the diagrams... From this point on, I will stop posting on this thread since it is silly to talk about the same topic across two different messages...