I'm planning to build a stand specifically for my 20-gallon fish tank, which weighs around 170 lbs (plus extras like gravel and decorations, probably bringing it to about 200 lbs in total). Initially, I thought about using standard Baltic birch for the construction but worried it might not hold up under the weight. As a backup, I'm considering creating the stand with half-laps and hard maple, then covering it with plywood for aesthetics, but that seems like a whole lot of work. Anyone have insights on how to determine if my chosen materials and design can safely support this load? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
I used some doubled-up two-by-fours to support a setup with a 55-gallon and a 30-gallon tank, and it worked out great for me. Just reinforced everything well.
It really comes down to how you design the stand. If you're going for a closed cube design without any vertical supports in the middle, you could laminate some 3/4" sheets together to reach 1.5" thickness, or even use 1" plywood and double it in crucial areas for added strength.
Are there any resources or designs you recommend to find ideas for creating better structural support?
Your 20-gallon tank weighs roughly 170 lbs, and with all the added stuff, you’re looking at around 200 lbs. Baltic Birch is used for a lot of heavy-duty furniture and holds up well under weight, like kitchen cabinets that can support granite tops. Just make sure your joints are solid, and you won’t run into major issues with stability.
You could add some support strips under the top to prevent any racking and consider securing the back with rabbets for extra stability.
What do you mean by doubling up? That sounds like a solid approach.