Ginu's 120gallon journey

WarDog · #1 10-31-2014, 05:56 AM

Think I may have to second Greg's comment about sistering the 48" 2x4's. Personally I don't trust 'simple' lumber these days. What's a couple extra bucks for the security of that beautiful tank?

In regards to your stand's skin. I'm not sure what your budget is, but you could always be lazy like me and have it made by a cabinet maker. I had 2 gable ends, a front face, 2 custom doors, all hardware and stain, all for $350.

Ginu · #2 10-31-2014, 06:43 AM

I did a ton of research and the weight which a 2*4 can handle vertically is insane . Even if I would take the max load of the 8 2*4's and divided it by let's say 4 as a safety factor, it would still be rated at about 8000lb.
My 120 will probably be around 1600lb at most, so I'll be OK. Come check it out if you wan .

Greg, I recall you using the same stand as I had on my 75g which was made out of plywood and 1*3 if I recall with no reinforcement what's so ever. Now would you believe me if I'd tell you that the centre brace on your 4ft stand doesn't offer any support at all?
I actually took that middle board out about 2 years and had no issues with the stand.

Now, I can move the stock 75-90g stand similar to what you have by myself without breaking a sweat, however this stand (unfinished) weights a ton compared to the store bought one.

Wildechild_01 · #3 10-31-2014, 12:31 PM

I agree that the stand is built more than sufficient, i built a stand for a 90g a few years back with the help of an Engineer. I showed him my plans and asked if he thought i would be okay, his answer, "Your house is more likely to fall down than your stand to break under your tank" I of course still built it that strong, and then when i moved had to take a reciprocating saw to it in order to get it apart. As long as the stand is level and your tank sits level on it that stand is pretty beefy.

Ginu · #4 10-31-2014, 02:31 PM

A great read on stands can be found here.

CM125 · #5 10-31-2014, 11:22 PM

That stand is overbuilt if anything, I bet it holds twice the weight he needs, think of those lfs stands made of 1/2" ply. General rule with spans is 2x4 can go 4 feet, 2x6 for 6 feet and so on

gregzz4 · #6 10-31-2014, 11:55 PM

Hey Chris, as long as you're happy with it is all that matters

But for what it's worth, it's not the vertical support I was referring to, but rather the load on the horizontal

And BTW, my flimsy stand does have center uprights

The tank is warrantied for life on their stand so it suits me fine and is why I bought it instead of building one

Keep those pics comin'

Ginu · #7 11-01-2014, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Hey Chris, as long as you're happy with it is all that matters

But for what it's worth, it's not the vertical support I was referring to, but rather the load on the horizontal

And BTW, my flimsy stand does have center uprights

The tank is warrantied for life on their stand so it suits me fine and is why I bought it instead of building one

Keep those pics comin'

Yup i know it has centre uprights, but that's not to sustain the tank, its resting on a middle thin plywood glued to the front and back of the tank
I took mine out over a year ago and never even glued the top plywood back.

There is one thing I could have done better and that's to make the top out of 2x6 however is not entirely needed.

The reason why I made my own stand is to have it overbuild and without a center brace; now of I had a fishroom like yours, I would not care