125 gal Tank Stand

[roscozman]

I am looking to build a 125 gal tank stand. Our current stand is too short and we are looking to do two things: raise the tank to more eye level and create more working room inside the stand.

I am looking to build the stand 42" tall and 8' wide. I would have 1' excess on each side of the tank for storage doors or drawers (haven't decided). The plan is to have 4x4 studs supporting the weight on the corners of the tank. I have attached some pics for reference.

My question is... Do I need to place a vertical center brace in the middle of the frame? My pic does not show a vertical brace, only a horizontal brace where I plan on attaching my UV Sterilize.

Thanks.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/TankStand3-1.jpg


http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/TankStand2.jpg

[apedroza]

I would put on in just because there is a big gap between the other studs that may potentially bow from the weight in the middle.

[LoneStar]

Yes you will need at least one center support on the front/back span of the stand.

[caferacermike]

Nah just put 2 supports in it about 3' apart. That's the way my 125 is supported. My 1`25 does not have any structural wood at all. It's 1/2" MDF board all the way around. Kinda cheap with a "fancy" oak skin over the MDF. It has the entire back open and then there is an opening about 3' in the front with a door over that.

[roscozman]

I was thinking about this type of stand with removable panels:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/90_reef_open.jpg

This gives us full access to the sump.

I can have a 2x4 support in the back.

Can I place a removable 2x4 support in the front?

[rpc]

I agree with caferacermike, you don't need to brace in the middle, it should hold the weight just fine. But if I was making the stand, I would put a 2x4 in the middle of the rear access just for a larger safety factor. That way you still have a large access in the front and a bit more support.

[Ping]

If the cross beams are 2x6, no center support is needed. My stand close to what you are looking into. You are more than welcome to take a look. If interested, send a PM

[roscozman]

Ping,

The cross beams will be 2x6. Actually, the reason we want to do the stand with removable panels is because we remember your stand. It gave full access from the front.

One question - How do you keep the panels attached to the frame. I remember you had to use a little force to remove the panel.

Thanks.

[Ping]

Kitchen cabinet door latches.

[Flobex]

What aboout putting the tank all the way over to one side, so instead of (2) 1' areas on each side, you would have (1) 2' wide area, and you could put a cabinet door there, with a bunch of shelves. Just a thought... I just figured that once its all done, you will have probably 10" or less of space on the sides, after the wood is put on, and that isnt much room, where as one big side you would have alot bigger space to store more bulky items.

[roscozman]

Flobex,

I do see your point. One big area would have some advantages.

Our idea was to have one side of the stand for storage. The other side will store the ballasts and possibly a power "center". For example, we want to be able to turn off the flows when feeding with out turning everything off. Also, when we do water changes, we want to turn off the pumps with out it affecting other equipment. Therefore, we have two separate purposes for each side.

Thanks.

[brewercm]

Not trying to sell you anything but look at the stand that I have in the for sale section for the 135 gallon. My stand has no center braces on front or back and this setup has been running for over three years now (from different people before me included) without a problem. The back has about three inches behind the tank that I set all of my stuff like food etc.