8*2*2

[BadBoy]

I am looking to build a stand for an 8*2*2 tank.

I am thinking of using 4*2 timber with 6 4*4 legs and additional 4*2 supports.

Will the 4*2 timber be sufficient?

[les]

Hi BadBoy, Quote "Will the 4*2 timber be sufficient?" More than enough mate for cross timbers. 4"X1" is fine to tie 4"X4" legs together. Les

[BadBoy]

Thanks

What wood is better smoothed or rough? and would you recommend buying treated wood?



Last edited by BadBoy at Dec. 02 2002,09:33

[Glenn'n'Emm]

Some folks seem to be worried bout the impact of moisture on the wood arising from the tank/sump.

My stand is built from untreated 4"x2" joinery grade timber and is untreated, the back, sides, and top are all made of reconstituted wood,i.e. mdf and conti board.

Seems to me that whilst there is definitely a increase in the moisture levels inside the cabinet this is unlikley to cause problems with any of the wood since my cabinet is well ventilated.

Its more likley that any leakage or overflow arising from failures are gonna cause problems with the wood rather than the moisture level of the air under the stand.

Think of kitchens as a warm moist environment, assuming that there isnt an underlying damp problem and that the space is reasonably well ventilated then wood doesnt go mouldy or fail in that environment.

Cant see why the slight increase in moisture would cause any problems under a tank assuming a reasonably good airflow is available.

[BadBoy]

Nice one. Just for peace of mind I'll give it a quick coat of treatment.

[les]

Glenn, Wanna borrow my Professional Pointermeter Surveymaster to determine the level of moisture in timber or to determine the relative humitity of the surrounding air? Also to determine the moisture absorption of the timber which will cause a problem with both soft wood or hard woods? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[Glenn'n'Emm]

Les

I was trying to be practical about this bearing in mmind i dont have a moisture meter etc.

Im curious to know if you feel that there is likley to be a problem with moisture in respect of timber strenght/rot etc?

[les]

Glenn, I actualy gave a technical response. However the humidity inside a cabinet should never reach the level that either softwood or hardwood would start to rot, preservative or no preservative.
Soft wood by it's nature contains a high level of moisture and in practical terms you would only expect to have a problem with wet rot or dry rot come to that, if the timber was subjected to a higher level of moisture than you can expect in a cabinet such as with a constant leak. Strength of the timber should also not be affected or an issue either. Les

[Glenn'n'Emm]

Les

Sorry for being dim I dont have to worry bout damp in my professional life so my thoughts were based on, I was gonna say simple logic, simple is probably true, the logic Im not sure about.

Anyway glad that you basically confirmed what I was thinking with your last comments, and by the way does this mean your a chartered surveyor or sommat?

Glenn

[les]

Hi Glenn, thanks for the banter mate http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Quote "and by the way does this mean your a chartered surveyor or sommat?" Hmm not quite but that would be telling, anyway chartered suveyors don't understand dampness and humidity relationships. :lol:Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[London Mc]

Les, you seem to now a lot about timber http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'm going to build a stand soon for a 6 x 2 x 2.5 tank. just to check some things...

1. Is it worth getting kiln dried timber for the frame..just to avoid any future shrinkage ?

2. are you saying 4inch 'tall' by 1 inch 'wide' is accebtable for the main lateral tank supports (back and front rails)..

3. so 3 x 3 legs will be adequate ?

4. As the timber is likely to shrink along it's length (i.e. horiziontal timbers will reduce in 'height' but the legs (being vertical) will not reduce in 'height' should i allow a small shrinkage gap on the horizontal timbers..such that if they do reduce in height, they will not leave the 6 x legs 'proud' and hterfore taking all the weight ?

i'm not a carpenter, but am going to build this stand, and I dont want any disasters in the next 10 years..

any input much appreciated..

Mc

[les]

Hi Mc, Answers on a postcard as follows.
1/ Hmmm try and get anything else these days. Yup kiln dried softwood will do just fine.

2/ Quote "are you saying 4inch 'tall' by 1 inch 'wide' is accebtable for the main lateral tank supports (back and front rails).." Thats right. Don't forget you are mainly using horrizontal braces to tie the legs together and to prevent them moving and spreading apart so the 4" width is more than adequate for this purpose.

3/ Yup 3"X3" is fine. Again the legs are in compression and providing you are not going to have them more than say 3feet high no problem. If you are going much taller then 4"X3" would be a safe bet and give you some assurance.

4/ This will not be a problem I can assure you. I made my stand this way.

Use the 4"X1" to tie the legs together at the top and you can use 3"X1" to tie tham together lower down say 2"or3" from the bottom of the legs. Use rust resistant screws not nails to fix them all together. Get your timber merchant to cut the legs to length nice and square. You can then cut the tie 4"X1" etc timbers to length yourself so as not to make any mistakes if you like. A good wood glue will also help to make the stand very solid.

Make the front and back sections and then tie them together with the front to back tie timbers. When you do this ensure that the front and back saections are in line with one another so use a nice flat surface to stand them on and sight them through to give you a perfectly level and flat top to put your final base board on, that is if you are going to use a base board to sit your aquarium on . http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Les

[AndyH]

/me thinks Les should start a tank cabinet consultancy company http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

saying that, it is nice to find someone willing to help out, http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

well done les on helping so many people http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif not everyone is as clever on different things, so it helps us all to stick together and share infomation http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[les]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AndyH @ Dec. 29 2002,21:29)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">/me thinks Les should start a tank cabinet consultancy company http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

saying that, it is nice to find someone willing to help out, http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

well done les on helping so many people http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif not everyone is as clever on different things, so it helps us all to stick together and share infomation http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/b][/quote]
Thanks Andy, Your very welcome mate. Just trying to put a little back into this great BB. There are some great people around here, many more knowledgable than I. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif I am a joiner by trade, Shhhh but don't earn my living that way anymore. Still connected to the building trade so I know a little but not so good on electrics. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

I did have a commission to build a stand, cabinet, hood and complete filter system etc a while ago, nice job if I say so myself. Quote "helps us all to stick together and share infomation" Hey isn't that what this club is all about? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Best wishes Les ( Executive member my arse http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif LOL )

[simon garratt]

Hi folks....

Mc.....

Just as an addition to Les's (as allways) expert advice.. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif have a look at the following page from my website which might help.

72 x 24 x 24 stand/cabinet (http://website.lineone.net/~espsrg/DIY1.htm)


Kind regards

Si.

[les]

Si Quote "Just as an addition to Les's (as allways) expert advice" Your such a nice man, a very nice man, a very very nice man. What is it you want then? http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Les http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/xmas.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

[simon garratt]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What is it you want then?[/b][/quote]


Such sinicism.......... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif


Oh ok then, if i must...........1 box of jaffa cakes please. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ..........need em for energy running backwards and forwards all bloody day with buckets of RO........ http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif


Regards

Si.