DIY Stand for 50 Gal

geek.
Once again i can't agree with you. Apparently you have never built a proper furniture grade stand. 2x4s DONT belong in a stand made for a 50g aquarium. thats just silly and uneducated carpentry. its not about how big of a piece of wood you support the corners with its the type of joints and how you fasten them together. try reading up on different joining methods. there are tons of great ones you can learn. all of my stands are moisture sealed inside and out before they are sold and used. so we never have the problem of the plys getting wet. thats just common practice.

you dont need a frame to attach the ply wood to. all i use is furniture grade 3/4" hardwood ply, and build boxes that dont shift twist or warp. plus can they can support more weight than ANY 2x4 stand. were not building houses here. just structural cabinets.

 

Well, Im not here to change anyones mind because anything to do with saltwater falls along the same lines as politics and religion but I do have a little cabinet experience as well as owning a small custom millwork shop in Atlanta.

PL would be correct. "Furniture grade" cabinets are not built with 2x4s but with plywood and hardwood frames if that is the style specified. Cabinet grade plywood will hold 10-50 gal tanks if proper joinery and construction techniques are used. However, Geek did bring up a valid point with wet plywood delaminating over time. I put 3 coats of quality paint on every square inch, sealed the inside w/silicone and then had truck bed liner sprayed on everything on the inside of the cabinet. I put 20 gal water inside the stand for three days testing for leaks. (yes it actually holds that much water).

This is not to say you cant use 2x4s cause you sure can and Im sure if some one takes his time it can look great. Things mean so much more when we use our own hands to create them.

Probably the best thing I can bring to this thread is when I put my sump and external return pump in the stand I set them on one of those rubber door mats with the 1/2" or so nubbies that stick up. All vibration is absorbed and all is very quiet under there.;D

 

Those all use fiberglass resin or epoxy.

 

What happens to plywood when it gets wet? Cause we're talking about aquariums stands, not kitchen cabinets that have a waterproof counter top.

 

Well heres how mine looks like. I used 2x4 on the top and bottom frame and then 2x6 in L shape to hold the top and bottom frame. Make sure if you use 2x4 to put them vertical and not horizontal because they will bow if placed horizontal. I used a framing gun to insert nails and also some framing straps for added strength.

Dont worry about the top part thats the canopy.

 

I just came across this link today and it sums up this whole conversation. Siffy, a friend in a local reef club is an actual civil engineer working on his masters in CPE, and he is discussing stand building with a mechanical engineer also helping other people out a long the way.
DIY Stands