Couldn't find any data on Pine but a 1X1 piece of spruce (hardwood) can
take up to 7000 lbs before it snaps! I built my 70 gal stand out of pine...
2X2s (finished size is actually about 1.5X1.5). Pine is soft wood but I
figured that it could take the weight of the 70 gal 795 lbs plus a 100 lbs
in sand etc and spread that over the 6 legs... That's only 116 lbs per
1.5X1.5 leg! Anyway, I put 6 vertical pieces (one on each corner and two
1/2 way along the long side). These verticals were put inline with the top
and bottom rectangular frame (made from 2X4s) so that the tank's weight
would transfer from the top frame to the 6 verticals to the bottom frame
directly without the reliance of fasteners. The fasters are only there to
hold the wood frame parts together and not for load bearing reasons. Then I
wrapped 3 sides in 1/2 inch plywood. 1/2 inch ply on the top too and then a
1/4 inch veneer around the sides/top etc. The back is open for pipes,
electrical etc. I cut out large openings in the front and fabricated and
installed doors. This tank stand could easily hold double the size of the
70 gal.
2X4s will be overkill.

Go for it! Home made stands are so much better and stronger and cheaper
than the store bought ones... however you do have to have just a little DIY
knowhow.

DJay


"Greg Miller" wrote in message
news
I started building a stand for my new 120 gallon tank, but
have gotten cold feet after calculating that the weight of the water
will be roughly 1.4 metric tons (12 pounds/gallon?). I've already
built my original design, but am afraid to move ahead.
What I've got so far (tank dimensions are 24"x24"x49.5"): one
24" 2x4 (leg) in each corer of the tank, going from the tank to the
floor. These are held together by 2x4's, one on top, and one on the
bottom, connecting to each neighbor leg (connectors). So, basically,
the four legs bear the weight of the tank, and the remaining 2x4's
keep those legs from falling over. Then I'll tack on some 1/4" pine
or oak on the front and sides for looks.
Now I'm thinking about going back and adding in three 2x4's on
the long connectors (one every 12"). And one more on the short
connectors. But I'm still not confident in this design either, this
is more weight than I've ever dealt with before. Can anyone provide
any advice?
The one's in the stores look like they're made out of 1/4" oak
on the sides, top, and bottom and almost nothing in the back or the
front (except some doors).

Greg Miller (gmiller at gregmiller dot net)
http://www.gregmiller.net
http://www.net-chess.com