How strong are 4 2x4s?

[LockeOak]

I've received a free used 50G tank (48") and stand (score!) but I have a question about the load limit of the stand. It's not a homebuild but doesn't seem to be of terribly high quality. The base is composed of a rectangle of 2x4s on the floor, broad side down, with a single 24" long 2x4 on each corner holding up the top of the stand, which is another open 2x4 rectangle. It has side panels, back panels and mid-length posts but they are not load bearing (I've removed the back panel and post to put in a sump). Looking closely it looks like the middle of the 48" spans sag very very slightly, in the middle the tank bottom doesn't contact the span but is raised by 1-2mm. Would anyone out there hesitate to put a 50G tank on such a stand? I'm going without a canopy, which should save some weight (lights will hang from the ceiling). It has been used as a freshwater tank before, so theoretically the stand is sound but before I pour a lot of water and money into it I'd like a second(third, etc...) opinion.

[johno4]

2x4's are plenty strong, I wouldnt worry about it.

[bhbell]

While the 2x4s are easily strong enough to support that tank the stands structural integrity is also based on the skin that keeps the 2x4s from racking.

[LockeOak]

Yeah, they're coated with something fairly waterproof, polyurethane perhaps. Alright, I won't worry about it, maybe I'll get a 2' piece for the middle span once I get the sump into the stand. Thanks everyone.

[NanoReefWanabe]

2x4 on edge should be strong enough to hold...but 400 pounds of water and rock may say different...i would definitely replace the centre bracing on the long sides..

by skinned he meant the wood on the outside of the tank...1/4" ply is likely sufficient for a 50 gallon tank but half inch would be desirable..also nailing of the skin will also make a huge difference..make sure there are nails every six inches all the way around..

[bhbell]

I just built a stand for a 120 and used 2x4s with the plywood attached with liquid nails & 1" staples every 4" or so.

[draleigh]

i built my stand out of 2x4's for my 180. it will hold it fine.

[cheesner]

A single 2x4 can hold around 4-6,000 lbs in compression. The thing you need to worry about is buckling. The prevention of buckling is cross supports. The best cross support, as several have mentioned, is plywood with lots of connection points (nails and glue).

[gadgetboy]

I might add an extra support piece somewhere (couldn't tell you where as I don't understand the design exactly) but 2x4s are plenty good for my 33 which a bunch of bulbs and ballasts shoved the the canopy that's already heavy in itself.

If it had never been used before, I would probably be a bit hesitant but since somebody has used it with no problems, I probably would use it myself.

[Cuby2k]

Sheesh, overkill.

[draleigh]

2x4's are really overkill for a small tank, but by all means, better safe then sorry i think. check out garf.org in there diy section they have frame ideas (that i used for my 180) for tank stands. Then you can skin it anyway you want