Wood for tank frame

Which wood would be best to frame a stand for a 75 gal?

 

I use pine. There is a good DIY stand design thread on another forum created by a guy who was a mechanical engineer. My build thread has the design i used then skined in oak plywood. The stand is classy, strong, and super light.

 

I used pine 2x4's for my 75g stand. Choice cut lumber from Lowes hardware.

 

Would whitewood choice from Lowes work?

 

"Whitewood" is a term cabinetmakers use for a secondary, utility lumber, used for unseen things like toe kick framing, cleats, brackets, webbing, etc. There are a variety of species that get called "whitewood", such as pine, poplar, spruce. Framing lumber should be stamped and you will see SPF on the stamp. This means the lumber is Spruce, Pine (southern yellow) or fir/hemlock all of which could be called whitewood. These days, I only see spruce in my area. In the old days, Douglas fir was common. I don't know why they would refer to 2x4's as "whitewood" unless the studs are not up to structural framing standards. They may be selling some inexpensive utility framing, or they may just be using the term loosely. Hemlock has been used for studs but it is often sold green. Sitting inside HD this would twist and check. Most carpenters around here would avoid hemlock, due to the way it moves. The only way to get a true answer to your question would be to ask . I've got a feeling "whitewood" sounds better than "bowed splitting junk" as a marketing description. I think most of the framing lumber on the east coast comes from Canada. There are species in the forest that are underutilized such as tamarack and hemlock, they have been marketed in the past.

 

Wow Vin, nice post! Even sent you some Karma on that one

 

Ugh this whole wood thing is getting confusing!

 

Don't let it get you down. JUst use some stud grade 2x4's, and use that design for the thread on RC about stands. You could then park your truck on it.

I actually used all reclaimed/reused wood on the stand I built for my 180.
Free or real cheap from CL.