Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 05, 2004 01:04am | #1

   Eddie,

   Ideally you want Mortice and Tenon joinery into the legs if the rails are a single span.

   I 'googled' on aquarium stand plan as the search terms and the following came up:

   http://www.garf.org/stand.html

   along with 16000 others.

   Really, joinery depends upon design - in this one the weight of the tank is borne by the cabinet dividers and central frame.

   Cheers,

   eddie

1. 
   FastEddie | Jan 05, 2004 01:14am | #2

   thanks, man I will definitely check this out!

   Eddie

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Jan 05, 2004 03:46am | #3

   Fast Eddie

      I have built a number of work-benchs. When I design them I think of timber-framing on a small scale to get the sturdiness I am looking for. Mortice and tenons on a larger scale.

      You might look at a few work-benchs and think of them on a smaller scale with some modifications that would be more conducive to interior design. Just a thought..

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   FastEddie | Jan 05, 2004 04:00am | #4

   Thank You Sarge, I actually had not thought of that!

   F E

3. 
   robkelly1 | Jan 05, 2004 05:00am | #5

   Ed, thats a pretty small table. You're only talking about 4.5 cu. ft of water, or about 2 ft x 2 ft top, with water 12" deep. Or maybe 3 ft x 16". A workbench approach could make it look clunky. I'd find out shape he wants, see if it would be stable, use 5/16" M&T on the aprons,  make the apron the size of the tank of water, taper the legs from 1.5" sq. to 1" sq., make the top with a 1" overhang all around, and hold it to the aprons with wood buttons.  Assuming the table height is about 32", for stability I'd put stringers around the inside of the legs 10-12" from the ground, and probably a thin shelf on top of the stringers.

1. 
   BG | Jan 05, 2004 05:20am | #6

   Fast,

   If you want it to look a bit delicate and still have strength, think chair base.  M&T and stretchers provide enormous strength..and yet there size is small....

1. 
   davearnone | Jan 05, 2004 05:48am | #7

   Eddie, I'd be more concerned with stability than strength. 

   An aquarium on a table has a very high center of mass.dave 

4. 
   VeniciaL | Jan 05, 2004 09:34am | #8

   FastEddie,

   I have nothing to add about the aquarium table, as you've already gotten good replies. I just want to say hello to someone from Lancaster, PA.

   God, does that take me back! I spent several wonderful years there as a (very) young child when my dad attended Millersville State Teachers College on the GI Bill right after WWII. Is the College still there?

   High Street, Stevens Avenue, Alms House Road, Conestoga Creek? George Washington primary school? I forget the name of the high school next door.

   "Throw the horse over the fence some hay."

   "My off is all."

   "Redd up the palor, company's coming!"

   Lancaster is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Of course, this time of year, Maui is a lot easier to take!

   Good luck with the project.

   VL