building a stand for an acrylic tank

[cment]

Just like the title states, I need to build a stand for a 24x24x12 frag tank (30gallons). I could use a little help....first, when building the stand is there anything differently that needs to be done structurally when having an acrylic tank on top vs. an all glass tank? I also want to make this as light as possible bc moving it a few times over the next 4 years is a very real possibility, so what type of wood could I get away with using without compromising its integrity?

 

[snowmansnow]

a stand for acrylic will be constructed the same as a stand for glass.. Make sure you have a solid top, and put a layer of foam (like the blue siding foam used in construction) on the bottom under the tank to level out imperfections. Although, a tank that size may be ok without it.

Edit: oh... and just build it out of pine IMO

 

[cment]

would I be able to use 1x4 to save on the weight instead of traditional 2x4

 

[grouper therapy]

cment;919113 wrote: would I be able to use 1x4 to save on the weight instead of traditional 2x4

Is this just a stand to display in your home or a stand to use in the fish room? Does it need to be enclosed? Will it have a sump?

 

[jbdreefs]

To clarify, You dont want to build the whole stand from solid pine bought from home depot or the likes. Wood expands and contracts with fluctuations in whether believe it or not. The wood bought from HD is often cut in a way that results in the maximum amount of expansion and contraction. As wood moves, problems can occur.

If I am building a stand on a budget, I would construct all structural pieces of the stand out of plywood and then trim it with solid pine pieces. Plywood is very stable and doesnt move much because of the way it is laminated. There is a build thread right now that shows the construction using plywood and then trimmed with solid wood. Check it out.

 

[grouper therapy]

cment;919113 wrote: would I be able to use 1x4 to save on the weight instead of traditional 2x4

Give me a call around 6: 00 pm if you like and I will help you out.
678-873-1971

 

[cment]

grouper therapy;919120 wrote: Give me a call around 6: 00 pm if you like and I will help you out.
678-873-1971

That would be awesome David! I will call you tonight...thank you!!

Edit:

grouper therapy;919115 wrote: Is this just a stand to display in your home or a stand to use in the fish room? Does it need to be enclosed? Will it have a sump?

This will be a stand to display in my home and I plan on putting the largest sump possible underneath, so I was thinking about a standard 20gallon that is 24" long as well.

Edit: This is what I planned on building out of 1x4...

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[snowmansnow]

cment;919124 wrote: That would be awesome David! I will call you tonight...thank you!!

Edit:


This will be a stand to display in my home and I plan on putting the largest sump possible underneath, so I was thinking about a standard 20gallon that is 24" long as well.

Edit: This is what I planned on building out of 1x4...

Edit:

Edit:

that will hold a house, and with a tank that small I don't see it being an issue at all