Worried that your stand won't hold up?

[boldtogether]

Correct me if I'm missing something, but doesn't the compression strength only cover where the red 2bys in your sketch are sitting on top of the uprights and being compressed between those uprights and the tank. I don't think it covers the span between the uprights. In various building projects I have completed, I have never really been worried about the compression of the uprights or the horizontals, but the span of the horizontals between the uprights. With a tank sitting on top I don't want any stress on the tank caused by deflection across the span.

I would agree...isnt there supposed to be some sort of span to vertical support ratio? The weight of the water in the tank will be pulled down further between the uprights than at the corners...I would think in an aquarium situation, flex is never wanted, ever. Not even a little. Thats why stands need to evenly distribute the load especially in the center of a long tank. Whats good for the corner uprights should also be in the center. Maybe thats the "overbuilt" factor of DIY but I think with 200-300+gallons in my livingroom, I want overbuilt and am willing to pay a few extra bucks for it.

 

[Dane]

Found -This- concerning horizontal span of lumber. Also has some other info about different types of lumber and shear strengths and so on.

 

[mrwinkle]

Found -This- concerning horizontal span of lumber. Also has some other info about different types of lumber and shear strengths and so on.

VERY NICE DANE!!!!!!!

 

[cichlid808]

help please ...

im in the process of building a very similar stand for a 125g. but i wont be using a center brace because i plan on putting another 125 underneath. has anyone built a stand similar to mines?

on the front and back 72" stretch i have angle irons for added support. btw, im suing 2x6s and for the post 4x4, notched style.

give me your input guys on any added support since i wont have a center vertical brace in the middle.

thanks!

 

[SemperFish]

Impressive Pharoah. I live in a mobile home. I need you to come over and assess the load capacity of my floor before I add any more tanks. LOL

 

[cichlid808]

heres a pic of whati have so far ... will this hold?

 

[Pharaoh]

I would agree...isnt there supposed to be some sort of span to vertical support ratio? The weight of the water in the tank will be pulled down further between the uprights than at the corners...I would think in an aquarium situation, flex is never wanted, ever. Not even a little. Thats why stands need to evenly distribute the load especially in the center of a long tank. Whats good for the corner uprights should also be in the center. Maybe thats the "overbuilt" factor of DIY but I think with 200-300+gallons in my livingroom, I want overbuilt and am willing to pay a few extra bucks for it.

The whole span thing can really turn into a difficult argument to attach limits or specifications to. Keep in mind, most wood building doesn't utilize such high weights focused in such a small area.

This is there are different styles/designs of tanks out there. If you have a tank with plastic trim, they can theoretically have a very limited amount of support underneath the span. Technically, they could be setup with just corner supports and it should be fine.

I feel comfortable putting a vertical support every 24" or so. I probably would build a stand going any further than that unless specifically designed that way.

 

[Pharaoh]

TTT

 

[john73738]

So.....

If I am reading this correct then a stand built with 8 legs, each with 1 & 1/2 2x4 (notched) contact spaced every 24" would adequately support a 240 gallon ply tank.

Numbers being,

78.75 sq in contact surface. supporting 34650 lbs. Using your 25% safety factor = 8662 lbs.

Starting my stand tomorrow, and want to make sure it is gonna be sufficient.

 

[Pharaoh]

So.....

If I am reading this correct then a stand built with 8 legs, each with 1 & 1/2 2x4 (notched) contact spaced every 24" would adequately support a 240 gallon ply tank.

Numbers being,

78.75 sq in contact surface. supporting 34650 lbs. Using your 25% safety factor = 8662 lbs.

Starting my stand tomorrow, and want to make sure it is gonna be sufficient.

Yes, but don't forget to add in a couple extra on the corners to prevent any horizontal movement.