New Stand - Strong Enough?

newsalt · 01-14-2004, 02:56 PM

I've been looking at some stands and canopies for a a new 29g or 37g tank. I was at Petco and saw a great looking Cherry wood stand and canopy by All-Glass Aquarium. After I looked it over I noticed there's not much to it. It's basically made of 1x4's. I think I could build one similar and not pay $220 for one. Does anyone have one of these stands? Are they strong enough to support the weight of a tank full of water, LR, and substrate?

Thanks

BoomerD · 01-14-2004, 03:22 PM

1x4 would work, buy you'd be better off if you used 2x4's for the framing instead. more strength, and actually cheaper too. Wrap it in a nice piece of plywood, and you're good to go!

sorcerer · 01-14-2004, 03:30 PM

I agree with boomer, alot of the premade stands are 1x4 construction and will work, but if you have overflows or spills, they are more likely to warp, twist or buckle. A DIY stand of 2x4 and/or 4x4 with a plywood or better exterior will be superior. Keep in mind that the stronger stand will generally add more weight to the overall setup. HTH

Pro_builder · 01-14-2004, 04:50 PM

If you wrap your framie in Ply wood it will be a lot stronger than 1x4 stand.

Scooterman · 01-14-2004, 04:51 PM

YEA I paid out the wazoo for my 29g stand, that stand is outside right now LOL!

johnlewis · 01-14-2004, 06:22 PM

I would highly recommend a DIY stand or one made by a professional. Many purchased stands use minimal support and some use particle board which just disintegrates with water. If you use a 2x4 frame with a plywood/veneer you can pick up doors from a cabinet maker or Home Depot/Lowes.

Reefguard · 01-14-2004, 07:47 PM

DIY, You will be more satisfied. Here is my 100 gallon stand and canopy.

Reefguard · 01-14-2004, 07:48 PM

Completed stand.

newsalt · 01-14-2004, 08:09 PM

Reefguard:

Nice stand. Any plans or drawings you can share?

Reefguard · 01-15-2004, 03:09 PM

Sorry about the slow response Newsalt, I got disconnected last night and was unable to log back on the net. I got the plans from the GARF website. Then with the little imagination I came up with the that stand. So theyare all over the net. I do have all the pictures of the construction if you want them.

Noel

newsalt · 01-15-2004, 03:39 PM

Reef:

I'm going to try and dupliate that Aquarium Glass stand I saw at Petco. I'll probably beef it up inside with some 2x3's.

mwrager · 01-15-2004, 05:33 PM

Newsalt, I went by the local Petco and looked at some of there stands to see what you were saying. I would think they would be strong enough, but its they are made of pressed wood, If it gets wet, you will have a problem, and it will get wet. I would go with the design the RL has or like you say make your own. But if you do I would not use nails, I would use long wood screws, JMO.

newsalt · 01-15-2004, 06:38 PM

I agree, I think I'll make my own. I will use screws.

Thanks

johnlewis · 01-15-2004, 06:51 PM

The screws should be stainless steel, and you should also use wood glue and seal it with an outdoor polyurethane.

Reef Geek · 01-16-2004, 04:37 AM

NewSalt,
I DIYed my stand for my 29G. When I get home on Monday I will take some pics for you to get an idea. All I have with me is a pretty rough sketch as seen below.
The vertical elements were done with 4x4s and the horizontals with 2x4s. All joints were end lapped. I built it by making the top and bottom pieces, making sure they were completely square. And then added the 4x4 verticals.
I tried to show that the top and bottom pieces were constructed differently. The top, so that the weight of the aquarium is along the strongest (widest) part of the 2x4. The bottom, with the widest part along the floor to provide the maximum surface area to transmit the weight.
But I ended up finding that the floor was so out of whack that I had to use furniture levelers and so the weight is resting on the 4 corners. Its worked so far.
All pieces were double coated with poly and held together with drywall screws.
I had some left over plywood from a shelving project in the laundry room so I am added doors and one side with my electrical panel. The other side faces a wall and I haven't bothered covering it yet.
For the past month I have been trying to think what it was that I haven't done that I needed to. And I just realized it. I need to secure it to the wall. Earthquake country and all.
Have fun and enjoy your project. I know that after working with electronics & computers all day it is nice to do some woodwork. Its alot more personal and warm than electrons.

01-14-2004, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	New Stand - Strong Enough? I've been looking at some stands and canopies for a a new 29g or 37g tank. I was at Petco and saw a great looking Cherry wood stand and canopy by All-Glass Aquarium. After I looked it over I noticed there's not much to it. It's basically made of 1x4's. I think I could build one similar and not pay $220 for one. Does anyone have one of these stands? Are they strong enough to support the weight of a tank full of water, LR, and substrate? Thanks __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-14-2004, 03:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
sorcerer Court Computer Wiz Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nashville,TN Posts: 252 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with boomer, alot of the premade stands are 1x4 construction and will work, but if you have overflows or spills, they are more likely to warp, twist or buckle. A DIY stand of 2x4 and/or 4x4 with a plywood or better exterior will be superior. Keep in mind that the stronger stand will generally add more weight to the overall setup. HTH __________________ ------------ walt --------------------- ...and I thought woodworking was an expensive hobby..... 75G Oceanic Reef Tank, 30G Acrylic sump, 12G fuge, AquaC EV-120 skimmer, AquaMedic Kalkwasser Reactor, Mag 12 return pump, FlexiFlow dosing pump. 2-250W AB 10,000K MH, 2 95W Actinic VHO Sorcerer's Home Office Reef - 12G JBJ Nanocube, Minijet 606 pump, 50W heater, 12lbs LR ----------- http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner4.gif

01-14-2004, 04:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you wrap your framie in Ply wood it will be a lot stronger than 1x4 stand. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-14-2004, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,179 View Gallery Karma Komment	YEA I paid out the wazoo for my 29g stand, that stand is outside right now LOL! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

01-14-2004, 07:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reefguard Serpent Star Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 213 View Gallery Karma Komment	DIY, You will be more satisfied. Here is my 100 gallon stand and canopy. __________________ 100 gallon mix reef. 2x65 watt Actinic PC for dawn and dusk effect. 2x175 10 k XM. DIY Euro Reef Clone skimmer. 36 gallon sump.

01-14-2004, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,234 View Gallery Karma Komment	1x4 would work, buy you'd be better off if you used 2x4's for the framing instead. more strength, and actually cheaper too. Wrap it in a nice piece of plywood, and you're good to go!

01-14-2004, 06:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would highly recommend a DIY stand or one made by a professional. Many purchased stands use minimal support and some use particle board which just disintegrates with water. If you use a 2x4 frame with a plywood/veneer you can pick up doors from a cabinet maker or Home Depot/Lowes.

01-14-2004, 07:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Reefguard Serpent Star Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 213 View Gallery Karma Komment	Completed stand. __________________ 100 gallon mix reef. 2x65 watt Actinic PC for dawn and dusk effect. 2x175 10 k XM. DIY Euro Reef Clone skimmer. 36 gallon sump.

01-14-2004, 08:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Reefguard: Nice stand. Any plans or drawings you can share? __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-15-2004, 03:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Reefguard Serpent Star Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairfield California Posts: 213 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sorry about the slow response Newsalt, I got disconnected last night and was unable to log back on the net. I got the plans from the GARF website. Then with the little imagination I came up with the that stand. So theyare all over the net. I do have all the pictures of the construction if you want them. Noel __________________ 100 gallon mix reef. 2x65 watt Actinic PC for dawn and dusk effect. 2x175 10 k XM. DIY Euro Reef Clone skimmer. 36 gallon sump.

01-15-2004, 03:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Reef: I'm going to try and dupliate that Aquarium Glass stand I saw at Petco. I'll probably beef it up inside with some 2x3's. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-15-2004, 05:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Newsalt, I went by the local Petco and looked at some of there stands to see what you were saying. I would think they would be strong enough, but its they are made of pressed wood, If it gets wet, you will have a problem, and it will get wet. I would go with the design the RL has or like you say make your own. But if you do I would not use nails, I would use long wood screws, JMO. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-15-2004, 06:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree, I think I'll make my own. I will use screws. Thanks __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-15-2004, 06:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	The screws should be stainless steel, and you should also use wood glue and seal it with an outdoor polyurethane.

01-16-2004, 04:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	NewSalt, I DIYed my stand for my 29G. When I get home on Monday I will take some pics for you to get an idea. All I have with me is a pretty rough sketch as seen below. The vertical elements were done with 4x4s and the horizontals with 2x4s. All joints were end lapped. I built it by making the top and bottom pieces, making sure they were completely square. And then added the 4x4 verticals. I tried to show that the top and bottom pieces were constructed differently. The top, so that the weight of the aquarium is along the strongest (widest) part of the 2x4. The bottom, with the widest part along the floor to provide the maximum surface area to transmit the weight. But I ended up finding that the floor was so out of whack that I had to use furniture levelers and so the weight is resting on the 4 corners. Its worked so far. All pieces were double coated with poly and held together with drywall screws. I had some left over plywood from a shelving project in the laundry room so I am added doors and one side with my electrical panel. The other side faces a wall and I haven't bothered covering it yet. For the past month I have been trying to think what it was that I haven't done that I needed to. And I just realized it. I need to secure it to the wall. Earthquake country and all. Have fun and enjoy your project. I know that after working with electronics & computers all day it is nice to do some woodwork. Its alot more personal and warm than electrons. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)