Just picked up a nice compound miter saw and table saw today. So I will be starting my first stand build for a 40g breeder.
This is my first stand build and I havent touched woodworking tools since junior high.
The basic pic of the design. View attachment 5441 The cut list and directions are below. Its a solid design and gives me full access to the front with no center bar.
The only deviation from the plan is adding in some support for each of the corners Ill be adding those, just 2x4 angle cut for support.
The basic cut list follows, but I have an issue. When trying to lay it out and get measurements for cuts I came across some trouble figuring how to do the dimensions to fit the sump.
My sump options are these: 30L 36.5"x12.5" or a 29g 30 1/8 x 12.5"
Now the top of the stand needs to fit the breeder perfectly so the weight of the tank transfers to the supports properly. I cant deviate from that for sake of safety.
But from what Im looking at it wont allow me enough interior room in the stand to fit my first choice for sumps which is the 30 long.
So the first question: I need help determining the dimensions I can build the stand to fit both a 40b on top and a 30l under as the sump.
Tank dimensions 40b 36 1/8 x 18 1/8
Sump dimensions 36 1/2 x 12 1/2.
If you can post up any help id appreciate it. If not Ill mock it up and wing it till assembly lol.
Below is the cut list and guide.
Notes:
The plan for this stand consists of 21 pieces. Like color pieces are the same length and of the same board size.
The box frames are screwed together first, then the legs are built off the bottom frame, the top frame is then placed on top and secured to the legs.
The green pieces are screw strips. These provide limited load strength but serve to make assembly easier and help keep the stand square.
The blue piece between the upper rails (red) works to keep the upper rails from twisting.
Cut List: The calculations below are based off of a stand that is “W” inches wide X “D” inches front-to-back X “H” inches high.
(2) Red – Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48″ or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72″ with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended.
(2) Yellow – Upper Ends: Length = D-3″
Theses will be made of the same material as the upper rails.
(4) Green – Screw Strips: Length = H-2″
These 2X4s are shorter then the tank is tall.
(8) Purple – Uprights: Length varies:
- 2X4 Upper Rails: Length = H -7″
- 2X6 Upper Rails: Length = H-9″
- 2X8 Upper Rails: Length = H-10.75″
These 2X4s support the weight of the tank. The ones on the short sides of the stand provide a flat surface for attaching a plywood facing and while they do provide some strength, they are optional.
(2) Orange – Bottom Rails: Length = W
These 2X4s act to spread the weight of the tank over a larger area.
(3) Blue – Bottom Ends: Length = D-3″
Covering the sides of the stand with plywood will help to stiffen the stand against twisting and shifting. Doors can be mounted to the legs as desired.
So there it is. 21 pieces in 6 lenghts equals a tank stand that should fit the bill for most people. There are other plans out there but this is a simple design using simple tools and common wood sizes. It may not suit everyone’s application but it should fit the bill for most common size tanks.
This is my first stand build and I havent touched woodworking tools since junior high.
The basic pic of the design. View attachment 5441 The cut list and directions are below. Its a solid design and gives me full access to the front with no center bar.
The only deviation from the plan is adding in some support for each of the corners Ill be adding those, just 2x4 angle cut for support.
The basic cut list follows, but I have an issue. When trying to lay it out and get measurements for cuts I came across some trouble figuring how to do the dimensions to fit the sump.
My sump options are these: 30L 36.5"x12.5" or a 29g 30 1/8 x 12.5"
Now the top of the stand needs to fit the breeder perfectly so the weight of the tank transfers to the supports properly. I cant deviate from that for sake of safety.
But from what Im looking at it wont allow me enough interior room in the stand to fit my first choice for sumps which is the 30 long.
So the first question: I need help determining the dimensions I can build the stand to fit both a 40b on top and a 30l under as the sump.
Tank dimensions 40b 36 1/8 x 18 1/8
Sump dimensions 36 1/2 x 12 1/2.
If you can post up any help id appreciate it. If not Ill mock it up and wing it till assembly lol.
Below is the cut list and guide.
Notes:
The plan for this stand consists of 21 pieces. Like color pieces are the same length and of the same board size.
The box frames are screwed together first, then the legs are built off the bottom frame, the top frame is then placed on top and secured to the legs.
The green pieces are screw strips. These provide limited load strength but serve to make assembly easier and help keep the stand square.
The blue piece between the upper rails (red) works to keep the upper rails from twisting.
Cut List: The calculations below are based off of a stand that is “W” inches wide X “D” inches front-to-back X “H” inches high.
(2) Red – Upper Rails: Length = W
These will be sized according to length: 2X4 for 48″ or less for smaller tanks (Rule of thumb is 75g-90g); 2X6 up to 72″ with 125g-150g being acceptable; For longer spans and larger tanks 2X8s are recommended.
(2) Yellow – Upper Ends: Length = D-3″
Theses will be made of the same material as the upper rails.
(4) Green – Screw Strips: Length = H-2″
These 2X4s are shorter then the tank is tall.
(8) Purple – Uprights: Length varies:
- 2X4 Upper Rails: Length = H -7″
- 2X6 Upper Rails: Length = H-9″
- 2X8 Upper Rails: Length = H-10.75″
These 2X4s support the weight of the tank. The ones on the short sides of the stand provide a flat surface for attaching a plywood facing and while they do provide some strength, they are optional.
(2) Orange – Bottom Rails: Length = W
These 2X4s act to spread the weight of the tank over a larger area.
(3) Blue – Bottom Ends: Length = D-3″
Covering the sides of the stand with plywood will help to stiffen the stand against twisting and shifting. Doors can be mounted to the legs as desired.
So there it is. 21 pieces in 6 lenghts equals a tank stand that should fit the bill for most people. There are other plans out there but this is a simple design using simple tools and common wood sizes. It may not suit everyone’s application but it should fit the bill for most common size tanks.
