i am building a stand for a 90g tank.. i was going to put doors on each side of the tank so that i could slide the sump in and out of either side with ease...my sump is a 40g, the same width as the 90g..i will have to make the stand extra wide if i want to do this..i was thinking maybe i could just slide the sump in through the front doors if i don't put a center brace on it...do i need a center brace on a 4ft tank?????
Help with Stand Design
- Thread starter ronj
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james734
Well-known member
I would have one if it was me, but why not make it removable?
Scooterman
Well-known member
The left side of my stand can be removed easily but it is a solid panel.
I don't think you need that brace but you could also make it removable, not like you will be swapping sumps often.
I don't think you need that brace but you could also make it removable, not like you will be swapping sumps often.
aquarookie
Pure Poison :)
What's wrong with your idea of sliding the sump out the side? I think it is brilliant! So what if the stand is a couple of inches wider?
Krish
RF STAFF
I'd use a brace as well especially for a 90 gal tank. That's over 700lbs of just water alone not to mention rocks and the tank! The doors on the side is a good option or atleast one side. 
Minus The Ich
Hitchiker
It depends on how you make your stand, typicaly you need a center brace. You could get away with out one if you made a frame to support tank. Although you would probably need a 4x6 along the front where you have no brace.
If you don't like that idea I built a sand for my 90 gal and made one side a solid piece that could be taken off. That worked pretty good for me.
If this doesn't make sence or you need a little help with how to make it work let me know. I have built a few stands and I am a structural engineer.
Dennis
If you don't like that idea I built a sand for my 90 gal and made one side a solid piece that could be taken off. That worked pretty good for me.
If this doesn't make sence or you need a little help with how to make it work let me know. I have built a few stands and I am a structural engineer.
Dennis
mfinn
Surgeonfish
I made my stands with a door on the end of the stand. Makes it easy to side a sump in and out.
DonW
R.I.P.
You dont need a center brace nor do you need a big beam. 3/4" plywood laminated on end to make 1.5 x 3.5 x 48 is more than enough. It would take about 500 lbs applied directly in the center to get 1/16 deflection. Not going to hapen with a tank that size.
Don
Don
Don, i don't understand what you mean by the measurements...1.5?? 3.5?? do you mean a piece of plywood running across the front, acting as a beam??? or do you mean a piece of plywood laying flat on top of the stand(like a tabletop)
DonW
R.I.P.
Take 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood 3.5" wide x 48"? Laminate/glue them together. Stand them on their side and you will have a small compact very strong cross brace/beam.
Make sense?
Don
Make sense?
Don
Bainic
It only cost $20 honey!!
Ok here's my 2cents! I have a typical 55g 48X13, and I custom built my stand to fit that dimension. When I finally decided to add a sump, I was disappointed with the dimensions, because it severely limited the access that I had to put a sump underneath, basically a ten gallon facing sideways with half of the sump sticking out the back. If I had it the chance to do it all over again I would have made the stand longer and much wider to give me more room for the sump, I really like the idea of having the side open to slide the sump in and out, that way you don't have to remove any center braces. Good luck in finding out what works best for you!
Dave
Dave
i understand now Don....i went ahead and built the frame.. i just tacked it together.. i plan to work a little more on it tomorrow...i used 1x4's and 2x4's.... i am going to go back tomorrow and brace it and secure everything....i will post some pics and everyone can critique it
aquarookie
Pure Poison :)
Oh, what's with you people? Wood, wood, whatever happened to titanium stands? :lol: J/K
Yes, do post some pics Ron!
Yes, do post some pics Ron!
now here is my question.. i had to build the frame extra wide so that my sump could slide in and out of the frame from either side.... now when i put the tank on the stand, it won't be sitting on the support beam running across the back of the stand...i plan to put a 1" piece of plywood on top of the frame.. will this be enough support???
Scooterman
Well-known member
few dozen more 2x4's & you should be plenty fine
I found that support under the horizontal 2x4 added more support than having them screwed to the sides, I used a hydraulic jack to fix that issue but my stand is over 6ft, you should be plenty solid!
I found that support under the horizontal 2x4 added more support than having them screwed to the sides, I used a hydraulic jack to fix that issue but my stand is over 6ft, you should be plenty solid!
