Floydie83's 60 Gal. Custom Rimless Cube

Looking good ..I always liked the cubes ..
Can't wait to see it come together

 

looking good so far.

 

Thanks! I was thinking to make the stand big and open but then I remembered all the equipment i need to screw to the side. The sump will only have an inch or two gap. I'll finish it up tomorrow.

 

More progress. Sanding and priming later this week!

 

Primer coat number 1

 

Primer coat 2

 

floydie83, That stand isn't good enough in its current state for 60 gallons.

I would build the frame from 2x4's that transfer the load to the ground, and the platform where the tank sits should have cross beams that sit on top of the vertical support. This way you are not relying on hardware the keep the top in place.

Then finish with plywood and moulding if you like.

 

Even if that is some high end NASA grade plywood, I would't trust it. The deflection strength of solid timber is what you need for the years to come.

 

WT may have a point here. The weight will be over 500 pounds.

 

Hey guys definitely thanks for the concern. Let me preface this with saying that I'm a structural engineer.

Wisky, I see your point about ensuring that the cross members are bearing on the 2x4 columns. Makes sense. I have seen lots of stands where people didn't do this. Bad Idea. Did this with the plywood. The top panel sits on the edge of the entire stand. Considering the 3 sides that equals ~53 sq in of bearing area vs 42 sq in. if I was using 8 2x4.

Not really sure what you mean by deflection strength? Plywood is pretty strong stuff. Its not the greatest in the planar direction, but by no means bad, even the cheap stuff (which this is made with). Assume the tank is 1300lbs. That's 1300 lbs/53 sq in. = 24.5 psi, nothing. In reality I figure the tank is about 650 lbs (500 lbs of water, 50 lbs of rock, 100 lbs tank) or about 12.25 psi.

I think that the biggest thing lots of people miss is the inability to add rigidity for lateral load and twisting of the tank stand. By no means do 2x4s do a good job at that. That is why is why people shouldn't really leave 2x4 stands without plywood skins. That is the biggest concern I see with a lot of stands.

Hope this helps.