mike c Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) Just placed an order for a new 40 Breeder. If everything goes as planned, it should be here in 2 weeks. So, I decided to get started on a stand. I'm building this stand for the dimensions of the 40B tank (36" x 18"), but this design will work for any tank up to about 200 gallons (provided extra support beams). Any bigger, and you'll want to either use 4x4's, or a custom steel frame. Here's what I did... Parts List: *Miter Saw (not shown) *Cordless Drill *Drill/Bitset *Carpenters Level *Measuring Tape (not shown) *C-Clamp/s *Lumber (2x4's, Kiln Dried) *Small piece of coarse sandpaper (not shown) *Wood Screws (9 x 2 1/2") Step 1: I used a miter saw (not pictured), to cut 2x4's down to the sizes I measured out for the build. I want the stand to be 36" tall, and 37" x 19". This will give me a 1/2" of play around the whole tank, while still allowing enough support surface. So for this, I cut (4) 36", (4) 37", (8) 16" pieces. I then lightly sanded the edges clean of any burs. Step 2: Using a hard, flat, level surface, make (2) square frames by drilling together the 16" pieces, to the inside of the 37" pieces, using (2) screws per corner. 2x4's are actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Cutting the inside pieces to 16", plus the 3" added by the (2) 2x4's, will put me at the 19" I want. Since you will be screwing pretty close together, use a small drill bit to drill pilot holes, to prevent the wood from splitting. Step 3: With the aide of a clamp, screw the 36" pieces to the inside of one of the frames. Easiest to place the square frame on a flat, level table. Use the Carpenters level to check for straightness as you go. Use (4) screws for each corner. (2) drilled straight through the front face, and (2) from the side. Step 4: Flip the stand over, and repeat this process for the other square frame. You should now have a basic looking stand. Step 5: Now we'll use the (4) other 16" pieces. Place these on the inside, up against the 36" pieces. This will give the stand some added rigidity. Use (2) screws, to drill them in place, from the outside face of the stand. Step 6: Now all we need to do is add some support beams. If you were to place a tank on this stand, as is, all the weight would be on the few screws along the perimeter. IT WILL FAIL. To support the weight of a full tank, we need (8) more support beams. Since I ran out of wood, I will have to continue this build in a day or two. I will need to cut (8) 29" pieces, to add to the corners. These will be placed between the square frames, and parallel to the 36" pieces. Thanks for reading, will update ASAP!!! Edited October 2, 2012 by mike c 1 Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Lesson #1: When measuring out where to cut your 2x4's, use the same measuring tape throughout the whole build. I made some 29" sticks at work, but used a different measuring tape than I originally used. Due to tiny variations between the two, the 29" pieces ended up a millimeter too short. Since they are now useless, I'll have to again buy more lumber and make new cuts. Stay tuned!! Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted August 31, 2012 Author Share Posted August 31, 2012 Ok, finally got the support beams in! I cut these just barely over 29" for a snug fit, and used a rubber mallet to tap them into place. Once in position, I used clamps to securely hold them while I drilled small pilot holes, and screwed them down. I used two 2x4's in each corner. -The four 2x4's on the left and right sides, are positioned so that they support the "seam" or "joint" of the square frames from Step 2. -The four 2x4's that are on the front and back sides, are parallel and screwed to the 36" posts from Step 3. So the frame of the stand is complete!! Now, I know some may say this is overkill, and a waste of wood. To my own defense, I'm far from a professional, and far from a carpenter. I'm not comfortable with the pressed wood stands from most retail stores, and not confident enough in my carpentry skills to use anything other than this design. At least not yet. This design is VERY strong, and gives me piece of mind...which at times, can be priceless. Now the fun/hard part begins...what to wrap/paint/stain this thing with?! My plans are to add a door or two, and cut some plywood to make a floor. I'm leaving the back open. One, no one is really going to see it, two, I'll get better air circulation without it. Updates will be posted as soon as progress is made!! Stay tuned!! Quote Link to comment
glennr1978 Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Nice! Looks a lot like mine, just smaller. Quote Link to comment
tyty22 Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 (edited) Have you made any plans for what you're going to wrap and trim it with? Edited August 31, 2012 by tyty22 Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 Have you made any plans for what you're going to wrap and trim it with? Still debating. Most likely a basic plywood wrap, with a couple doors. Quote Link to comment
delorean1981 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Nicely done! I may be moving soon and I need to think of a stand for my 20L and something like this looks amazing. I love it, great job! Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Nicely done! I may be moving soon and I need to think of a stand for my 20L and something like this looks amazing. I love it, great job! Thank you, very much! Been busy at work lately, so the build has been on hold. As soon as I can, I'm going to get some plywood, and start wrapping this thing! My 40b tank arrived at my LFS last night. It's sick!!!! Quote Link to comment
mpg732 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Thank you, very much! Been busy at work lately, so the build has been on hold. As soon as I can, I'm going to get some plywood, and start wrapping this thing! My 40b tank arrived at my LFS last night. It's sick!!!! Over kill for stand but nicely done...... Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Over kill for stand but nicely done...... You wouldn't be the first with that opinion, but thank you. Quote Link to comment
mpg732 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 You wouldn't be the first with that opinion, but thank you.NP, but can overkill ever be a bad thing? LOL Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 NP, but can overkill ever be a bad thing? LOL LOL, exactly my argument. Better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Sneak peak of whats going to be sitting on the stand... Quote Link to comment
TankManJay Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Wow, love the tank, whered you get it from? Quote Link to comment
Celeritas Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Nice job! There is no overkill framing in California! The Big One is always around the corner. Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Nice job! There is no overkill framing in California! The Big One is always around the corner. We're WAAAY overdue for an earthquake. HAARP? Wow, love the tank, whered you get it from? I'm stoked with the way it came out. I ordered it through a local shop, Aquatic Designs, in Santa Barbara. Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Jealous. I scored both for $300... Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) Ok, finally had time to buy some plywood for the 40B stand. I'm using 1/2" ACX, pretty decent grade plywood.. I haven't yet screwed it down, but heres a pic to give you an idea on where it's going. I'm leaving the back open, for better air flow over the sump. The front, I'm going to cover the 2x4's with smaller 3 1/2 x 38", and 5 1/2 x 29" pieces, then adding a door/s. Edited September 13, 2012 by mike c Quote Link to comment
delorean1981 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Ok, finally had time to buy some plywood for the 40B stand. I'm using 1/2" ACX, pretty decent grade plywood.. I haven't yet screwed it down, but heres a pic to give you an idea on where it's going. I'm leaving the back open, for better air flow over the sump. The front, I'm going to cover the 2x4's with smaller 3 1/2 x 38", and 5 1/2 x 29" pieces, then adding a door/s. Very nice and elegant, I'm not worthy! Quote Link to comment
pheallox Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I made the same stand as you did except, I used 2x6 for the bottom frame and sealed it water tight to prevent leaks. I also made three panels framed them with molding then used magnets and inset medal plates to hold them on. Quote Link to comment
mike c Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 I made the same stand as you did except, I used 2x6 for the bottom frame and sealed it water tight to prevent leaks. I also made three panels framed them with molding then used magnets and inset medal plates to hold them on. Sounds like a nice build. Any pics of the doors, and how they're mounted? Sealing the stand with Kilz. Quote Link to comment
kevinlogan42 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I just Built a stand for my 65 Gallon tank. I used the the space on the sides for storage with doors as well. A couple shelves for food and a few other small thinkgs that I keep close by. The other side is saved for all my electrical, I figured this way It would all be away from the sump and the moisture. Just a thought for you. As for doors I used 1x4 and 1/2 ply wood. I used my guide for my skill say to take a 1/2 x3/4 notch out of the frame and inlayed the ply wood. Then Glued and screwed it all together. Here is a pic of 3 doors primed As you can see I am still filling and sanding. Primer really brings out the imperfections so I have my work cut out for me. Kevin Quote Link to comment
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