Going back to the original post on Reef Central (can be found
here) the author states the following with regard to the "floaters":
*The green pieces are screw strips. These provide limited load strength but serve to make assembly easier and help keep the stand square.
The author goes on to say this:
The reason the screw strips are shorter is that it prevents them from being part of the load bearing structure. Because they sit above the bottom frame you are assured its the frame sitting on the floor, not the screw strips. They are below the top surface to ensure that plywood or the tank frame sits directly on the upper box, rather then on the screw strips.
<Another user> So by making them shorter, you ensure the screws aren't load bearing. Otherwise, you run the risk that the actual load bearing posts are too short and aren't actually supporting the weight. I understand the principle. I found it easier to build the stands with the fastening posts the same height. I won't have the need to build another stand until probably February. I'll play with it then.
Yep, you just don't want them (the screw strips/green pieces) touching the floor when the tank weight is on them. A small piece of 3/4" plywood or 1xwhatever will shim/hold them up while screwing into them and fall off once the stand is picked up. I might suggest cutting the screw strips an inch longer if you're only able to shim them 1/2" off the floor instead of a full inch so there is plenty of material to screw the top frame into place.
So once again, the "floaters" as we are calling them only serve the purpose of squaring the stand and making sure that it is easier to put together. Anything can be used, I think 2x4s happened to be what the author had. Also, I believe they are shorter to remove the "fudge factor" where the floaters extend too far past the bottom or top of the stand and end up bearing all or most of the weight. This could lead to catastrophe. My apologies, but I think someone might have said this before. Bottom line, you shim them up to make 100% sure they do not extend past the top or bottom.
Since some of us are going to use a pocket hole jig for attaching the members together, I wonder if these screw strips even become necessary at this point. Especially if the stand will be skinned with plywood. It will be something I will check out when I build my stand this weekend.
Just on another note Biscuit, with regard to the plywood top you used on your stand. From what I read (and I am not an expert), most people use the plywood top only when using flat bottom tanks such as rimless or acrylic tanks to spread the load. With the All Glass or other tanks that have a rim or trim piece, the full top is not necessary because the bottom glass never sits on the stand, only on the trim which sits on the edges.
Anyway, once again my two or twelve cents worth. Great work. Any new pictures so far?