65g oversized tank stand/ current 35g reef

I'm really glad you took that well cause I was not trying to be a jerk. You need a top frame sitting on top of columns, then those columns need to be on top of the bottom frame to transfer all that weight the the surface area of the bottom frame. Google some stand plans... there should be some here, many have done it. There are a lot of calculators for it. I don't have time right now to find it for you... going to work.

Point is a joint is very weak for carrying weight. A 2x4 sitting like you have it on it's edge can only support so much, a joint is even less. Wood in compression.... 2x4 standing on end like it would in the actual tree has some ridiculous load capability.... like 2000 lbs per square inch. Take a look at any cheap store bought stand... they look like paper and only have like a 1/4" of top frame edge over 1/2" pine around the sides... yet if you actually do the math that little bit acting as columns actually has a rating of 2-3 times what the tank will weight... as hard is that is to believe.

Then for a oversized tank you need columns at the ends, with crossmembers over them, and then cross members to the front and back rails for support. It won't be hard tfor a 65g, and you will not need any center supports and can have a nice big stand like you envision.

 

Lol the fridge will keep all the frozen food, phytopheast, the Cyclopeaz(?), you know
the usual six pack of ipa... (beer)

stopping by the Lfs for random shwag....

Ok done. I got random bag of goodies for ten bux since some guy bought my bag of cloves and a green polyp leather out from me!! It was in a bag at the register!!!!!
MORE mushrooms paly's small clove ect.. Lil five species collection!

 

As Powerman said, you need to have the 2x4s (or 2x6s) acting as columns, not screwed in next to the stud. Wood (Douglas Fir), according to code inspectors, can handle 625psi before compressing and failing (on a typical jack post for a header). A typical 2x4 (3.5 x 1.375 inches = 4.813 sq inches is what I just measured (I'm renovating my entire house)) can handle 3007 lbs before failure. To be safe, count on 2000lbs per 2x4 (I assume you are using SPF and not Douglas Fir). A 2x6 can handle 4727 lbs to failure, so to be safe call it 3000 lbs. That is a hell of a lot of weight. With your design, those screws will handle waaaaaay less than that before they sheer off, causing your stand to collapse. It may be strong now, but over time those screws could break.

 

That puts everything in prospective. I put in two 2x4 one on each side in line withe the top frame.

I figure that would be around 3000 # eh?

And finished up minor details and last coat or stain comes tomorrow!

+1 for the details

 

Good guess. 35g X 8.35(lb per gallon of water) = 292.25 lbs.

You should also figure in the weight of rock/sand + water you have in your sump.

 

543#'s @ 65g w/200#'s of rock n sand.

I'm looking at around 800#'s total on the top.

Around 300 inside (bottom shelf)


Hey any one know the best way to set(seal/connect) PVC pipping??
Regular blue PVC cement???

 

You mean so you can do the plumbing to your sump, I assume?

 

Yes, and well mostly return I will be deviding a 1/2" to 1/4" to two seprate areas of the tank. I think that PVC would be best!

 

That's good for the top frame, but you need to do something about the cross members you have up top that will actually be carrying the weight of the tanks. The two you had at the top of the thread. Two crossmembers screwed in holding 800 lbs.

 

Oh there is more sorry I haven't had the time to take pictures of the finished frame .
The are two cross members, and four 45 degree cross members holding the top not including the 2x6 (on edge not that usefull. There is no more than two spots with 12" gap. I will try to get some finished fram pics up tomorrow or Monday.


Thank you guys for the input. I think it's all constuctive!

The less piping @ 1/4" the better????

Little giant @ 800gph 1/2" to 1/4"