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Which Size tank do I need2007-11-24 23:43:03

Building

The most common construction was used 2x4s with 3/4 inch plywood shelves.

If you are going to build this sort of stand, remember that lumber comes in 8 foot lengths, while plywood comes in 4 food by 8 foot sheets (standard). Also a 2x4 is not 2 inches by 4 inches! Those numbers are before finishing. When you buy 2x4s, they are 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Another common construction was cinder block and plank; the planks being 2x12s or two 4x4s or a 3/4 inch plywood sheet, cut into strips.

Example of 2x4 construction: If you make the shelving 8 feed wide and 16 inches deep, you can cut three shelves out of one sheet of plywood. Make a frame out of 2x4s for each shelf. Use 11 more 6 foot 2x4s for verticle bracing. Four of the verticle braces should go on the ends (two per); an additional four braces front and back (near the corners); one brace in the middle of the front, and two braces on the back. Sort of like this (top view):

X X X X

+----.

X| |X

| |

X| |X

+----.

X X X

You'll end up using 17 lengths of 8 foot 2x4. This stand will hold 8 10 gallon tanks, or 16 5 gallon tanks "thin side out", but that will get very crowded. If you buy a second sheet of plywood, you can make it each shelf 18 or 24 inches wide, and have plywood for a top.

Filtering

With filtering the first question is central vs. distributed.