stand sheathing

[rnhrtfan]

well I have started my 75 stand build and have my stand frames as you can tell in the pics. the question now is whether to use 3/4" or 3/8" birch PW for the sheathing. keeping in mind the only structural support this will provide is horizontal support for the stand. it will not carry any vertical loads. I would prefer to use the 3/8" as it will provide a much cleaner look at the tank than the 3/4" will. what do you all think?

[IMG][/IMG]

[homebrewdude]

Maybe a center brace somewhere???
Your stand is already strong enough... 3/8 is good enough.
Unless you will be using the plywood instead of the center brace.


Why did you use the metal brackets in the corners? And why not extend the inner corner flush with the top?

[rnhrtfan]

There is no plan for a center brace the 2x4's over the 4' span will hold without problem. As for the metal brackets in the corners they are there to mearly keep the top and bottom frames square, they will be sealed so that they will not be exposed to any water spray. Once completed there will be no fasteners exposed to water spray to help prevent any possible corrosion. The inner post doesn't go flush to the top or bottom because it isn't there to carry a load it is mearly a nailer all loads are transfered down the corners to the bottom frame by the other two 2x4's at each corner.

[homebrewdude]

I agree the 4' span is good for no center brace. hard for me to visualize the size.

If the corners are just nailers then why not extend the up and down?
They would help keep the corners square from twist better then those brackets.

What are your plans for doors?

[badazztealcobra]

If the plywood isnt going to do anything structurally, couldnt you just use 1/4" ply ???

[Siffy]

I'd go with 3/8" as it is, simply for weight reasons. There's no need for 3/4" or a center brace.

[megaspoot]

If you skin with plywood, it would be able to handle even larger loads. You wouldn't need a center brace. It will also reduce shearing to practically zero.

[samtheman]

shearing???? Sheep???

[rnhrtfan]

homebrew still looking into doors. know of any good ideas? or places to get them?
Listening to everyone I think I will go with the 3/8" less than half the price and should work ok.

[spleify]

Did you build your stand bigger than the tank. I don't understand how you built it without knowing what size facing you are going to be using.
For what it is worth, I am using 3/4" Oak facing, I built the stand 1 1/2" shorter all the way around to accommodate for the 3/4" facing.
HTH
Spleify

[rnhrtfan]

I have built the stand 48 3/4" x 18 3/4" which are dimensions taken from the AGA 75G RR that I have in storage at the LFS until the time the stand is complete. I built the stand to the dimensions of the tank as I want the 2x frame to support the weight of the tank and not the plywood sheathing itself. Personally I feel safer with the tank resting on the 2x stand than on a piece of P/W attached to the frame, but that is just me.

[homebrewdude]

This is where I am planning on getting my doors.

http://www.cabinetdoorsandhardware.com/default.asp

This is my build thread.
You are ahead of me, I am still in design mode.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1240993