DIY Stand for 50 Gal

I hope I'm not stepping on anybody's toes here, but geekdafied I have to disagree with you on the 2x4 stand. Just because a stand has 2x4's doesn't mean it can't be knocked over, I build hard wood and ply wood stands on a regular basis without the use of one 2x4 and not one I would ever worry about being knocked over or not be able to withstand the weight of the tank. Pound for pound 2x4's are a lot weaker then ply wood, people just associate 2x4's with strength which is not true, they're bulky, ugly and more prone to twisting and warping then any piece of ply wood you could find, they also take up a lot of unnecessary space inside the cabinet. Having more room inside our cabinets is always good. JMO. If you'd like I could also show you some of my plans as well.

 

My $30.00 stand for a 50g tank.
I ripped 2x4s and built a frame. It then covered it with 3/8 pine plywood. Cut doors and trim. It took 4 hours to build and 1 to paint. It is very sturdy.

 

Apparently you have never gotten plywood wet and saw the layers start to come apart. Plywood swells like all wood when it gets wet. 2x4s dont fall apart when they get wet. How do you attach the pieces together? There has to be some kind of framing to attach the plywood too. You would have to use 1" plywood or thicker for it to be sturdy enough, and then there goes light weight out the window. House's are not made with plywood, they covered with plywood, that are built from 2x4's and 2x6's. If plywood was just as strong as 2x4's, they wouldnt use 2x4's in houses.

 

I would love to see anyones plans, anything to get me started on this project

 

Im working on it right now bro

 

This is just the framing of it. Basically make 2 rectangle for the top and bottom. The height can be modified to whatever you want. Cut 45 degree wedges to go in each corner for stability. You can put a brace in the front/back middle if you want, but its not needed. The pics are not to scale, lol.





skin it with 1/4" plywood.

 

So the plans you posted they are posted in this order
1. front/back
2. sides
3. top and bottom
Evreything made out of 2x4?

Thanks

 

yup...
the top and bottom section parts, you place the 2x4's where they are resting on the 2" part, if you do it where they resting on the 4", thats where they will bow/warp, but when they are on the 2" they will not bow/warp and it also has the cross brace to prevent it from happening. Also be sure to set the corners where they are being supported by both 2x4's(overlap) so its not just screws or nails holding it all together. This way the wood is supporting itself and the screws/nails are to make it doesnt fall apart.

 

Do you think the same design would work with 2x2's rather than 2x4
The external plywood should give the frame plenty of support from twisting or leaning.

 

Actually, a lot of people build plywood tanks and stands. A friend of mine in Australia had one that he built himself and never had any problems with it. Here's a few DIY plans for anyone interested:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium2.php

GARF'S REEF AQUARIUM CONSTRUCTION - 140 GALLON AQUARIUM

REEF AQUARIUM CONSTRUCTION - 140 GALLON PLYWOOD AND EPOXY REEF GROW-OUT AQUARIUM

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/diy-plywood-glass-tank-29492.html