Aquarium Stand/Support

[sweetmisery]

I know this is a bit off topic, but I want to know what you use on your aquarium as stands? And I plan to have a 55 gallons, 48X18X18, what is advisable?

I dont want to buy a premade one, especially branded ones, cuz they cost too much. I plan on buyin materials on some hardware and ask some furniture company to make it for me or atleast ask some people I know who can.

A pet store said its best to buy some slotted angle bar, and just do it myself - all I need is to cut and bolt them together. Its easy and its durable. Good advice?

and on the aquarium I am getting, plus all the LR, corals and such in the future, how tall should the stand be advisable without risking it falling down?

Thanks a lot, and I am so sorry if I ask too many questions since I got here...

[Bertsch]

you would be best suited to build a stand where there is a running support from each corner. I would watch having the metal contact the glass for any number of reasons. I would think the best would to have the tank resting on 2X4 or 1X2. The best advice i can give, is to apply more support than you think it would need, the last thing you want to come home to is 55 gallons of water on your floor. I would not be as concered about it falling over and much as falling through what ever you build. Remeber the tank w/ water is going to weigh over 600 lbs, thats without anything in there.

As well, manufactures warrenties on the tank are typically voided if you do not purchase their stand.

Not trying to talk you out of it, but unless you are completly trustfull of the work of others it could become a risky venture.

[leaffish75]

I weilded angle iron for my 90 and 55. works great and its strong. For my 40 Im using 3/4 inch ply wood for the bottom and 2x4 for the the legs and other support. Like they said above build it to support more than what will be on it.

[LenandTracy]

I built my own, but then again I do build custom furniture for a living. I made mine from Oak and Pacific Coast maple, with Cocobolo trim, and it is gorgeous. I will try to post a pic so you can see. It is not done yet....no finish and no doors, but the wife wanted to get the tank started. Mine is also a 55gal tank.

[LenandTracy]

Sorry about the multiple posts...guess the system went crazy for a while. Anyhow, here is a link to my gallery with the stand that I am building. Let me know if you have any questions.

[LenandTracy]

OOPS....here is the link. I mean it this time.

http://www.coralforum.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=70

[sweetmisery]

Neat! If only we live close, I would just ask your services to make me one rather than ask some hardware/lumber stores who got no idea of how heavy a marine thank will be...

[cich1]

sweetmisery, here is a link to several dyi stands i'm sure you can find something that suits you needs and means, good luck
http://www.kingvinnie.com/aquaria/diy/links_page.asp?cat=49

[sweetmisery]

Thanks... I'm checking it right now... and its so great, it teaches us how to make it instead of selling them...

[LenandTracy]

sweetmisery, I would be happy to give you a rough sketch of the plans I designed. i am sure that the DIT plans you looked at are more than adequate. As long as the vertical supports are either directly under the corners, with another in the middle of the front and the back, It should be more than adequate to support the weight of your 55gal tank. I personally used the fancy plywood to support both sides and the back, while the front is supported by the two corners and the center rail. The imporntant thing to remember is with whatever frame you decide to use, be sure that there is no for and aft or side to side movement....it must be extremely ridgid. The shelves I put in add to the ridigity, and the cross supports across the underside of the top add to the weight-carrying capability. lastly, a thick top shelf for the tank to sit on helps to distribute the weight to the entire frame. This should be slightly larger than the actual width and length of the frame, and I built mine with a 2.5in lip to hold the tank stationary. Remember, the stand must be able to support around 6lbs per gallon of water. This includes the weight of the substrate, etc. so for a 55 gal tank you are looking at almost 350lbs!! Good luck, and I also wish we were closer so I could make you one too! Unfortunately my ship has already deployed, and I will be missing the time in and around the Phillipines. Take care!

Len

[sweetmisery]

Sure! I would appreciate it! Can you send me in my e-mail? So I can have a guide... this will be the first time I will construct something! Hope it will go fine...

send it to burnedbutbest@yahoo.com if you dont mind... and a BIG THANKS!

[cyork]

I think you should check the dimensions of your tank b/c it looks like you may have a 75 gallon tank. I had a 55 and it was somethink like 48x13x18.

Just thought I'd check with you :)

[LenandTracy]

SweetMisery,

If you have never built anything then my plan may be to complex. Mine requires some joinery techniques that are not advanced, but do requrie some specific tools. Do you have any woodworking tools? Specifically a biscuit jointer and a table saw? If not then you would be better off following one of the plans on the link that cich1 provided earlier. If you are still interested in the sketch then let me know and I will email it to you.

Len

[icereefer]

here's a picture of mine I built

[icereefer]

are you going with a sump or refugium?

[sweetmisery]

Dont worry, my uncle owns a metal shop that imports metal works. And wood materials arent hard to find here, I can easily borrow from people. And I'll ask some help from my uncle... Table saw, we have, but biscuit jointer? I have to check on that... but of course I want most of the work myself...

what are the dimensions of a 75 gallon? 48X18X18 is 55 gallon right? How about 36X18X18?

[cich1]

48x18x18 is actually 67.32 gallons, 36x18x18 is 50.49 gallons, easy way to figure is lengthxwidthxheight divided by 231=gallons
i'd have to check one of my 75g when i get home but i think they are 48x20x18

[sweetmisery]

I see thanks! I guess some salesladies or people they let handle the LPS here have no clue. Forgive my ignorance too...

[LenandTracy]

I will try to get the sketch dimensioned and scanned to you later tonight. Good luck and please ask if you have any further questions.

Len

[SaltyDawg]

Check out www.garf.org they have a good section on DIY stands.
Wayne

48 X 18 X 21 is what the specs are on my "75 gallon" AGA tank. Using the formula psoted which is the accepted formula this comes out to 48 x 18 =864. 864 x 21= 18,144. 18, 144 / 231=78.54.

You can look on www.garf.org under the calculator section in the left hand menu and get drawing for a stand as well as a materials list. Buliding a tank is actually very easy and simple. Just make sure you "measure twice and cut once" this will result in far fewer mistakes. Using Joinery is nice but not required, so you dont neccessarily need to use joinery. It can make for a very professional looking project though, no doubt about it. Bottom line is its easy to do a stand with very simple hand tools. I have built 3 for tanks ranging in size of 135 gallons to 65 gallons. Two were Oak and one Pine. I dont consider myself to be an exceptional carpenter. I find that patients and good planning will take you far if you have basic hand tool skills. All 3 of my stands and canopy's look as good as what I could have bought and comparable to what I could have had custom made. I built all 3 without any assistance of "extra hands" (I used several Clamps/Vices to hold things together while connecting the pieces together).

Key points to building the stand yourself is get it level!!! Use screws to connect supports as they have far better holding power than nails. When attaching outter sheathing such as plywood or planks use a water proof glue such as Gorilla Glue. In combination with finishing nails this will add a lot of rigidity to your stand and provide exceptional holding power and allow the stand to support a lot of weight. When it comes to supoorting beams bigger is better and gives a lot more room for fuge factor on supporting weight. The more verticle supports you add the better it will withstand the weight. Use horizontal beams to tie them together to keep things rigid. I strongly recommend wood over metal as it doesnt rust. If its wood and slightly unlevel it will be much easier to level it up. I feel like wood adds a lot more warmth looks wise too than steel. It also doesnt conduct electricity if you have a "snafu" later down the road (have a tank long enough and this WILL happen). Just seal the wood to protect it from water damage and to keep it looking nice.

Which ever route you go, good luck and let us know how it gos! Pics are cool too!!!