Stand is too small....will this help?

DrinkTheYeastMix · 11-16-2009, 11:57 PM

Not sure if this will solve my issue...
My tank is without a stand, and i REALLY want to take next week to set everything up. But issue #1 is this:

I have an extra stand in the garage but its 2 inches too shallow
(1 inch on either side)

Is it going to be an issue to place two separate pieces of wood that don't span the length of the tank so there is something under the majority of the rim?

Since the rim is the only thing that makes contact with a stand is this a huge issue haveing about a 5 inch space between the pieces of wood?

archer772 · 11-17-2009, 12:05 AM

I would just get some 2x4's and build out on the back side of the stand as long as the stand is the correct length

davocean · 11-17-2009, 12:18 AM

^^^ I like that idea.
The 2 pieces of ply look a bit scary to me the way you have it, not worth the risk IMO

davocean · 11-17-2009, 12:19 AM

Oh, and if you add a ply top, make sure it's PLY, and not the MDF/particle board you have right now, that stuff swells/mushes when wet, not good for a heavy load, and glass.

DrinkTheYeastMix · 11-17-2009, 12:22 AM

good to know. I think I'll head to home depot and add 2x4's to the back of the stand and get a plywood top.

davocean · 11-17-2009, 12:33 AM

And in doing so, make sure to have a 2x header that spans the total length of cabinet, and the legs will go UNDERNEATH that 2x, so the header sits on top.
That way the lumber takes the load, not screws/nails fasteners.
And then a ply top on top of that would be ideal.

DrinkTheYeastMix · 11-17-2009, 01:47 AM

2x header?

archer772 · 11-17-2009, 01:49 AM

2x4

davocean · 11-17-2009, 01:53 AM

Yeah, 2x4, sorry.

DrinkTheYeastMix · 11-17-2009, 02:23 AM

ah gotcha. didnt think of that, good design idea. looks like ill have something to do on a day off tomorrow (while i put off my homework haha)

**mickmac247** · 11-17-2009, 03:29 AM

A 1in piece of plywood cut the the sixe of the bottom of the tank will do the trick also. Less work and solid all the way. Try and center ply and tank so that an even amount is all the way around each side as best you can. Might think about a 1/2 piece and have them cut it so you can double it to make a 1 in piece. might be a bit cheaper. Some places also have scrap pieces to pic thru and ask if you dont see them. Major part is to have the base of the tank touching also level on all 4 sides. Let us know how you make out. The other ideas sound great as well.

A quick spray paint job and u are good to go...

DrinkTheYeastMix · 11-17-2009, 03:36 AM

I like that idea, anyone see anything wrong with that simple fix?

**mickmac247** · 11-17-2009, 03:47 AM

I have that fix working for a 55 (2) 1/2 pieces glued didnt have screws lol also on a 20 tall screwed both for a few years now. Scrap woood is just as good usually so look around Might even try some construction sites that are throwing partial sheets away.

davocean · 11-17-2009, 04:48 AM

Ply alone will flex, but an inch in front, inch in back, you MAY be OK since you have trim, maybe.
I believe those tanks are meant for load at each corner, more than across whole span of trim.
For me, I'd do the 2x's and ply top, but I'm a carpenter, easy for me to do.
Judgement call on your end, but I personally would sleep better if it had full support.

archer772 · 11-17-2009, 04:52 AM

I agree davocean I would never trust just plywood and yes the tank needs to be supported on the corners.

11-17-2009, 12:18 AM	#3
davocean Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Encinitas CA Posts: 146	^^^ I like that idea. The 2 pieces of ply look a bit scary to me the way you have it, not worth the risk IMO __________________ 150g mixed reef,75g planted,20g hex planted goldfish

11-17-2009, 12:19 AM	#4
davocean Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Encinitas CA Posts: 146	Oh, and if you add a ply top, make sure it's PLY, and not the MDF/particle board you have right now, that stuff swells/mushes when wet, not good for a heavy load, and glass. __________________ 150g mixed reef,75g planted,20g hex planted goldfish

11-17-2009, 12:22 AM	#5
DrinkTheYeastMix Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 273	good to know. I think I'll head to home depot and add 2x4's to the back of the stand and get a plywood top. __________________ Jake Filstar pimp 1.5.2. [XP3] Hi-tech 40 Breeder

11-17-2009, 12:33 AM	#6
davocean Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Encinitas CA Posts: 146	And in doing so, make sure to have a 2x header that spans the total length of cabinet, and the legs will go UNDERNEATH that 2x, so the header sits on top. That way the lumber takes the load, not screws/nails fasteners. And then a ply top on top of that would be ideal. __________________ 150g mixed reef,75g planted,20g hex planted goldfish

11-17-2009, 01:47 AM	#7
DrinkTheYeastMix Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 273	2x header? __________________ Jake Filstar pimp 1.5.2. [XP3] Hi-tech 40 Breeder

11-16-2009, 11:57 PM	#1
DrinkTheYeastMix Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 273	Stand is too small....will this help? Not sure if this will solve my issue... My tank is without a stand, and i REALLY want to take next week to set everything up. But issue #1 is this: I have an extra stand in the garage but its 2 inches too shallow (1 inch on either side) Is it going to be an issue to place two separate pieces of wood that don't span the length of the tank so there is something under the majority of the rim? Since the rim is the only thing that makes contact with a stand is this a huge issue haveing about a 5 inch space between the pieces of wood? __________________ Jake Filstar pimp 1.5.2. [XP3] Hi-tech 40 Breeder

11-17-2009, 12:05 AM	#2
archer772 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Caro MI Posts: 198	I would just get some 2x4's and build out on the back side of the stand as long as the stand is the correct length

11-17-2009, 01:49 AM	#8
archer772 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Caro MI Posts: 198	2x4

11-17-2009, 01:53 AM	#9
davocean Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Encinitas CA Posts: 146	Yeah, 2x4, sorry. __________________ 150g mixed reef,75g planted,20g hex planted goldfish

11-17-2009, 02:23 AM	#10
DrinkTheYeastMix Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 273	ah gotcha. didnt think of that, good design idea. looks like ill have something to do on a day off tomorrow (while i put off my homework haha) __________________ Jake Filstar pimp 1.5.2. [XP3] Hi-tech 40 Breeder

11-17-2009, 03:29 AM	#11
mickmac247 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mass Posts: 358	A 1in piece of plywood cut the the sixe of the bottom of the tank will do the trick also. Less work and solid all the way. Try and center ply and tank so that an even amount is all the way around each side as best you can. Might think about a 1/2 piece and have them cut it so you can double it to make a 1 in piece. might be a bit cheaper. Some places also have scrap pieces to pic thru and ask if you dont see them. Major part is to have the base of the tank touching also level on all 4 sides. Let us know how you make out. The other ideas sound great as well. A quick spray paint job and u are good to go... __________________ Anyone can sail a ship in calm waters its when the storms come up shows what one is made of.ODAAT

11-17-2009, 03:36 AM	#12
DrinkTheYeastMix Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 273	I like that idea, anyone see anything wrong with that simple fix? __________________ Jake Filstar pimp 1.5.2. [XP3] Hi-tech 40 Breeder

11-17-2009, 03:47 AM	#13
mickmac247 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mass Posts: 358	I have that fix working for a 55 (2) 1/2 pieces glued didnt have screws lol also on a 20 tall screwed both for a few years now. Scrap woood is just as good usually so look around Might even try some construction sites that are throwing partial sheets away. __________________ Anyone can sail a ship in calm waters its when the storms come up shows what one is made of.ODAAT

11-17-2009, 04:48 AM	#14
davocean Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Encinitas CA Posts: 146	Ply alone will flex, but an inch in front, inch in back, you MAY be OK since you have trim, maybe. I believe those tanks are meant for load at each corner, more than across whole span of trim. For me, I'd do the 2x's and ply top, but I'm a carpenter, easy for me to do. Judgement call on your end, but I personally would sleep better if it had full support. __________________ 150g mixed reef,75g planted,20g hex planted goldfish

11-17-2009, 04:52 AM	#15
archer772 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Caro MI Posts: 198	I agree davocean I would never trust just plywood and yes the tank needs to be supported on the corners.

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