Stand pics/examples?

[Myka]

Sorry to use your pics of what not to do reefwaars, but this is not the best example of framing. The corners are not done properly. There should never be a vertical "seam" that runs uninterrupted. All the nails/screws/bracing in the world won't fix that. A double top plate could fix it though as well as nailing the bottom plate to the floor joists if that hasn't already been done.

FWIW, I'm a carpenter.

Originally Posted by reefwars

[phi delt reefer]

Here is what I am working on....

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

The corners are not done properly.

Ya, noticed that last night, I would at least do a double top plate with some 1x4 just to tie the sides together.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by phi delt reefer

Here is what I am working on....

I think I saw this over on RC....nice job. That's the style I did for my last big tank, but had it all welded from steel. It was a monster stand that was 1/2" taller than my front doorway

[phi delt reefer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I think I saw this over on RC....nice job. That's the style I did for my last big tank, but had it all welded from steel. It was a monster stand that was 1/2" taller than my front doorway

I wish i had done mine out of steel. Would have been so much lighter. Its only for a 30-40 gallon tank. Right now the thing ways at least 250lbs.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ya, noticed that last night, I would at least do a double top plate with some 1x4 just to tie the sides together.

Ya, for a 200 gallon tank I wouldn't trust the plywood sheeting to hold those corners together. Personally, I would remove that single top plate, and design it differently to tie the corners together.

-----------------------

FWIW to all stand builders...

In framing of houses screws aren't used for a very good reason. The shearing power of a nail is FAR greater than the shearing power of a screw. Which means a screw will break much easier than a nail. We all love screws though because they are so much easier to use. Using through bolts in some of the main structural areas of the stand is a good idea, as well as corner bracing or sheeting to prevent movement in all directions.

You see screws used much more often in things like home cabinetry where there is little force in comparison to framing, and glue is always used to increase holding power, and reduce shearing forces on the screws. However, home cabinetry is not designed to hold weight like an aquarium stand is, so using framing methods combined with cabinetry finishing is the best bet.

----------------------

Another example...as much as I like the minimal look of this stand (and the color!), it scares me as well. There should at least be some corner bracing on the back as there is little to prevent this stand from shifting side to side. A solid back sheet would fix the problem. Most of us don't want that though, so for a small stand like this even some triangular shaped pieces of 3/8"+ plywood would increase stability significantly.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Myka

Sorry to use your pics of what not to do reefwaars, but this is not the best example of framing. The corners are not done properly. There should never be a vertical "seam" that runs uninterrupted. All the nails/screws/bracing in the world won't fix that. A double top plate could fix it though as well as nailing the bottom plate to the floor joists if that hasn't already been done.

FWIW, I'm a carpenter.

there will be a 2x6 top plate added to the top and bottom that covers all joins and i still have more framing to do to the top and middle, its not finished yet these are just some pics up untill i ran out of wood. i used screws but am fully aware of the difference in nails to screws as i too am a carpenter and have been framing since i was 15 but now do more general contracting but i do prefer using nails to screws when it comes to support. i used screws for now because i am going to be moving just after christmas so this is just a quick stand to get evereything pieced together untill i can move it into its new resting spot untill then the tank will sit empty on framing and when i get my sump built i may run a freshwater fill but after christmas i will be wanting to take it all apart and rebuild in another house and one i will own lol in which case i will use a bit of both thanks for the suggestions

[xblade]

Originally Posted by Myka

Another example...as much as I like the minimal look of this stand (and the color!), it scares me as well. There should at least be some corner bracing on the back as there is little to prevent this stand from shifting side to side. A solid back sheet would fix the problem. Most of us don't want that though, so for a small stand like this even some triangular shaped pieces of 3/8"+ plywood would increase stability significantly.

Good advice..I added corner bracing on the top back.. And nailed it on.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by xblade

Good advice..I added corner bracing on the top back.. And nailed it on.

Excellent!