I have a question with this pic
I would assume the cross brace is a 2 x 6, is this correct? Is it a double 2 x 6?
What kind of deflection are you experiencing with the tank full on top? I would have thought there would be a need for a center brace but I wanted to know what your results are especially with deflection.
i would assume… unless the glass itself sags in the center, there should be no issues as long as the corners are strong enough to hold the weight of the tank. right?
Well not really, if the center deflects enough eventually it will cause the tank to fail. Running a span that far is fine if the span is strong enough to resist deflection over time. 1 2x 4 vertical stud has enough strength to hold 1500 lbs. So the corners can support the weight fine. But when the tank starts to smile the glass will break. If the cross brace is rigid enough to counter the downward force in the center then you are fine.
When I was planning the 220 stand I also wanted no center brace. I was going to use 2 - 2x8 with a 1/2" ply laminated with glue to cross the span. The glue really adds the strength but the combo of glue and plywood should eliminate any deflection.
Quick pic to give an idea
Brown = 2x8
Yellow = Glue
Peach = 1/2 Plywood
Blue = Lag Bolts
Edit - Lag bolts should be randomly spread across the 8" side avoiding the top/ bottom 2" of wood. If you line them up straight across while it looks neat and clean it creates a week point in the span.
r u thinking the front/back will deflect? or the bottom glass? i am asking so much because i am throwing a 180 into a wall right now and have been a little nervous building the stand…
Front and back where the frame contacts the stand
i am asking about which glass pane?? bottom? i just don’t see the front or back pane smiling on a vertical axis… but i see what u mean. if the crossmember is not supported enough, the weight inside the tank will pressure the center of the bottom piece of glass down, moving the frame to the crossmember, and splitting the bottom seam. 10-4
The seam could split and or the tank could crack. Both the bottom glass and the front and rear are vulnerable. It is doable to make a stand to withstand the weight. Also keep in mind all lumber has a natural crest and this should be on the top. It the bow (dip) side is up then it will dip more do to the load being added
I split this since it became a HJack
i gotcha… the one i just built is for a 180 in a wall. so the wall studs r holding the front with a double 2x4 plate on it. then another plate ran along the inside. no extra legs on the short sides, but ran 2 extra supports spaced evenly across the back. double 2x4’s with triples at the corners. the whole top plate was done the same as the front. THEN!!! made 6’ double 2x10 stringers to run opposite my floor joices. (3) and installed them one center two 2’6" outside the center one. braced up with 4x4 legs and 4" solid block under the house. (the 6’ plates catch the 3 joices the tank is centered on and one extra joice each way. no water in the tank yet, just now finishing up the plumbing. (and realizing i didn’t have as much room where i put the tank as i thought i did!!! maybe the 125 would of been a better idea… verdict_in) i am still praying it is enough.
Sounds like overkill; the same way I would do it so I would sleep better at night.
Please take a picture
half full of water now… so far so good. gonna let it sit overnight. will shoot some pics tomorrow, after work. just need to thread my drains out of the bulkheads and teflon them… (i thought plastic to plastic threads would seal.) 2 did, 2 didnt. :-("
[quote=“fishguy9, post:11, topic:1439”]
just need to thread my drains out of the bulkheads and teflon them… (i thought plastic to plastic threads would seal.) 2 did, 2 didnt. :-("[/quote]
If it’s the inside of the bulkhead that’s not sealed wouldn’t the water just be running down the drain pipe anyway? Do you need a tight seal?
i know… but right now the tank is half full without my sump running. so drips can accumulate over time into an overflowing sump!! lolol my sand should be in thursday, i got it blocked off for now. don’t think i am gonna mess with the drains. (i am waiting for the additional 120lbs of sand and get it in b4 i swap the stuff in my 90 over. want to keep as much of my aragonite and rock as possible. water too)
Mmmmm wood sandwich
a1…did u ever get your initial question answered???
hey sorry we were in New york this past weekend and Monday i went back to work… There is a 2X8 sistered with a 2x6 on the front and i think the same or close on the back of it. then there are 2x4 supports that run front to back … there are 3 2x4’s in the corners holding it all up.
i’ll try and take some pictures… there is 0 Deflection