Ogpulchra Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 I'm going to build a stand for a 40g long next weekend, and I'm wondering if I can get away with 2x3s. I'm planning on using a design similar to this, but I can add a center support if needed. I am limited on vertical space, so the extra 2 inches would allow me to add a couple of small tanks on the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Absolutely, there’s nothing magical about 2x4s. In fact I often rip off 3/8 of an inch on each side of a 2x4 to get a nice clean look without the radius on the corners. If it’s a standard rimmed tanks you won’t even need a center support because they only need to be supported on the ends. Check out the videos of the Aquarium co-op retail store, all their tanks are setup with no horizontal support pieces in the front or back, just along the sides. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmurray407 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) On 2/24/2022 at 12:07 PM, Ogpulchra said: 2x3s. Lumber usually is actually less than the name indicates like 2x3, 2x4, 2x6-over the years the lumber industry has somehow decided that it's OK to keep shaving a bit off the dimensions. What is the actual size of the boards you are thinking of using? By the way, I built a stand just like this one and it was very easy and turned out great! Edited February 24, 2022 by dmurray407 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogpulchra Posted February 24, 2022 Author Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) Thanks, Patrick! It will save money too. I can't believe how expensive 2x4s are now. On 2/24/2022 at 10:25 AM, dmurray407 said: Lumber usually is actually less than the name indicates like 2x3, 2x4, 2x6-over the years the lumber industry has somehow decided that it's OK to keep shaving a bit off the dimensions. What is the actual size of the boards you are thinking of using? By the way, I built a stand just like this one and it was very easy and turned out great! Yeah, the 2x3s would be 1.5"x2.5". Edited February 24, 2022 by Ogpulchra 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmurray407 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 On 2/24/2022 at 12:27 PM, Ogpulchra said: Yeah, the 2x3s would be 1.5"x2.5". I'll leave that to the experts 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) Maybe use some 2x4s on the uprights so you have a little bit more wood to screw and glue into. You don’t want to have any side to side wobble. That would be bad 😁 Edited February 24, 2022 by Patrick_G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogpulchra Posted February 24, 2022 Author Share Posted February 24, 2022 On 2/24/2022 at 10:32 AM, Patrick_G said: Maybe use some 2x4s on the uprights so you have a little bit more wood to screw and glue into. You don’t want to have any side to side wobble. That would be bad 😁 True. I did plan on adding some kind of bracing, but 2x4s for the vertical supports is a good idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Fish Den Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 You'll be fine. I've built and used stands for 40 breeders and 20 gallon tanks out of 1x4 many times and not had any issues. With the design you pictured above, there is plenty of vertical support. Most of my stand and racks only have one vertical support piece made of 2x4 in each corner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevesFishTanks Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 2x3 should be fine, the pictured stand is serious overkill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 i see no problem with it. that basic design can support a huge amount of weight. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widgets Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 On 2/24/2022 at 1:25 PM, dmurray407 said: Lumber usually is actually less than the name indicates like 2x3, 2x4, 2x6-over the years the lumber industry has somehow decided that it's OK to keep shaving a bit off the dimensions. What is the actual size of the boards you are thinking of using? By the way, I built a stand just like this one and it was very easy and turned out The raw lumber is cut to the nominal size, but it shrinks when it dries. https://sherwoodlumber.com/nominal-vs-actual-lumber-sizes/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmurray407 Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 On 2/25/2022 at 12:33 PM, Widgets said: The raw lumber is cut to the nominal size, but it shrinks when it dries. Good to know-thanks! All I actually know was that it just keeps getting smaller. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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