Diy stand for a 100 Gallon tank

I need to know that the best way to build a stand for my 100 Gallon tank. I'm gonna go to be putting in a dry box area that way my plugs and equipment isn't exposed to water. But I want to know the best way to build the frame. 1x4 or 240 I'm going to be putting oak exterior. With 4doors. Please show your thoughts or any plans.

 

I just built a stand for my 65 gallon and years ago helped my dad build one for a 55 and a 125.

I will say, you can go as crazy and elaborate as you want or as simple. My dad never used anything but 2X4s for framing even though a lot of soruces suggest 2X6s. You can choose to build and support much like a window or door frame where you use 2 2X4s placed together on their side for the top and bottom and use single ones for the supports in between. You can also use a 2X4 run across the top regular with 2X4s for the legs and than place anotehr 2X4 across inside with another set of legs to make a 4X4 frame. I think that is not needed though unless you are making a stand for a 200gal+ tank and simple 4X4s will do.

For my 65gallon to make things simple and not need 6 inch screws I used 2X4s and 2X6s. I prefer screws to nails as you dont have to worry about them popping later and they seem to hold better and tigheter. Decking screws work great! I made a 2X4 frame for the top and bottom and ran than so they would by 4 inches wide and 2 inches top to bottom. I cut them so the front and back would run the entire length and the side ones fit in between the the front and back. I thank used 2X6s for the legs and placed then so they would run front to back> I doubled them up so that its basically a 4X6 for each corner and that way 4X4 inches supports the front and back frame and 2X4 supports the side rails. I thank added a 4X4 support in the center front and used a 2X6 nailed to a 2X4 f or the middle back support. Tank is only 36inches wide, if it was 4 or 5 foot I would use 2 supports for the back with still only 1 for the front. 6 foot or wider I would use 3+ for the back and 2 for the front.

Sorry it is so confusing to explain without pictures hpefully you can follow. That is the frame anyhow and you can park a car on it. Weighs a couple hundred pounds all finished and for half the price I got something much better than the partical board stand the lfs will try to sell you! I also used a piece of 1/4 plywood to cover the back and a holesaw to place some holes for cords as I too house everything under the tank instead of behind. I havent finished the doors yet but am going to have 2 swing doors for the front and each side also be a door to maximize storage and accessability from all sides. Euro hinges I think will work best to make a nice finished look. Inside the stand I ran a board across the back and placed some screws to hang surge protectors on and placed some shelving inbetween the side legs with backing to hold my Vortech battery backup and 3 mp10 controllers. Still have to add the floor and a slide out shelf for half the stand while leaving the other half full hieght.

Also a tip, I made my stand coutner top height. instead of the normal I believe 30inch, it is 36inch. Doesnt sound like much of a difference but it reall places the tank closer to eye level and looks nicer IMHO. Only problem is the 65 gallon is a tall showroom style tank so to reach the bottom comtorably I have to use a stepstool and I am over 6ft tall!

 

Couple early pictures of just the frame. Took me a couple hours to build. I spent another couple hours another day to cut, drill, and place the plywood back as well as used 1/8 board to make a trim for the top and bottom where I mitered the edges and uses finishing nails and a tap to place so that almsot every one is covered by the tank itself. I had a couple special fastener pieces to use on the undersides to hold the corners together snug. With just that, my wife and I could not carry it up the stairs together due to the size and weight. Ended up rolling it up the stairs lke a giant ball. I also sat on it and wiggled aroudn to make sure it would fold over. As mentioned earlier, you can park your car on this stand!!! Due to moving I have not had time to complete the 4 doors yet but in time it will happen.