With no support in the middle, that tray will have boobs in about 3 months lol. Take another hour to knock together a better one! You're supporting a couple hundred pounds of water, meduim and plant... not making a dinner table.
Regardless of how many slats you put under the tray, the load is pretty much on the side rails (that's where you will be screwing or nailing those slats to). In using the strongman rack as a model, they only have one 2x4 underneath a 4x8 tray.Right on guys thanks. I am definitely gong to make sure I put several slats in between to hold all of the weight. How long do you think I should make my legs? I plan on using a 70 gallon rez that is 30"x53"x12". Height really isn't an issue and I want to make sure I can access everything. Also what do you think about the rack on the bottom for that big of a reservoir--too big?
Ya sure, but I thought the bottom rack may provide added stability. You're probably right and I'm overthinking it...I just like to do things clean--the first timeRegardless of how many slats you put under the tray, the load is pretty much on the side rails (that's where you will be screwing or nailing those slats to). In using the strongman rack as a model, they only have one 2x4 underneath a 4x8 tray.
A quality 4x8 like a Botanicare only needs one board underneath it to support.
There are some shitty trays that are very flimsy but a good quality tray doesn't need as much as people think. I generally over do a lot of things but your rack doesn't need to be over built.
Can't you just put your res on the floor and the tray above it sitting on your rack?
I think mine is so clean people don't even realize it's a DIY set up. You'll want that space under the tray. You're gonna need room to clean when you have a floodYa sure, but I thought the bottom rack may provide added stability. You're probably right and I'm overthinking it...I just like to do things clean--the first time
You are welcome. I have moved to a system for building my tables now, no I do not have stock in the company, I use a 'Kreg Jig' to drill pocket holes, similar to what furniture builders would use. I still use the 2X4's. Next time we build one, I will do video of the build.Here are some pics of the tray stand I made for a 6'x3' flood tray...notice the placement of the legs provides that the bottom of the tray sits directly on top of them as well as two 2x4 slats in the middle. I don't think the bottom of the legs is going to need any added stability, but I'll let you know once I test it...thanks for the DIY helped a bunch