My attempt at a GARF stand! - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

mp3z24 · 07-18-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frsh36gal

Wish I could say the same, I helped him with it and usually I am the first person he calls when he needs an extra pair of arms. I used to think the garf design looked a little flimsy. I will now vouch 100% for the strenght of that design. Thing weighs a ton and could probably support one.

i am in agreement with the statement about the garf stands looking flimsy, but i suppose they have been tried and confirmed.

the one thing that i dont like about the garf stands is that the legs are screwed into the side of the stand top. so, you are basically relying on the shearing strength of 1/8 inches of metal to hold up your tank.

when i built mine, i built a surface to hold the tank, and put the legs on the underside of the top. so, the weight of the tank is transfered directly from the stand top, through the legs, and into the stand base.

then , again, when i see the 3/4 particle board stands at the [acronym:8d59fb1a81="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:8d59fb1a81], i always think there is no way that a stand like that will ever hold up a tank. i guess it is the engineer in me that makes me over think things like this...

as for the stand at the top of the post... looks pretty hefty...

~mike

bussardnr · 07-23-2005, 02:42 PM

when i looked at the plans i thought they had 2 2x4s for every leg, one between the top/bottom and one on the sides?

mp3z24 · 07-26-2005, 03:01 PM

the garf plans typically have single 2x4 legs, secured to the inside edges of the top and bottom frames.

like i said, i personally dont like the design, but it is entirely opinion. i typically overbuild things, which costs a bit more, but i have a lot more confidence in something that is overbuilt.

[acronym:b541bc6e08="For your info"]fyi[/acronym:b541bc6e08], here is the garf page,
http://www.garf.org/tank/buildstand.asp
i put in 30" height, 48" width, and 14" depth. they listed 4 2x4x30 legs. so, no double legs.

~mike

manooosie · 07-28-2005, 02:50 PM

How hard is it to build, particularly the canopy? what was the total cost?

Jaymz_Eric · 01-12-2006, 05:36 AM

Whats a Garf stand?

DeFeKt · 01-12-2006, 08:35 AM

a stand built from plans off the www.garf.org website.
ditto with the legs comment, I built mine and rebated 2x4 legs so they are directly under the frame supporting the tank.
Glad I saw this thread will be doing exactly the same with the mdf and spraying it gloss black...cheers

Matt

JProx · 01-14-2006, 04:05 AM

defekt - i would use satin finish black paint, instead of gloss. you will have to use polyurthane to seal the mdf anyway and it probably won't 'stick' well the gloss finish and you can get polyurthane in gloss or high gloss to get the sheen you want. Mdf will stuck up paint and polyurethane like a sponge so make sure you have enough on hand before you start.

DeFeKt · 01-14-2006, 06:29 AM

thanks for that,

Matthew.

07-26-2005, 03:01 PM	#13
mp3z24 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 317	the garf plans typically have single 2x4 legs, secured to the inside edges of the top and bottom frames. like i said, i personally dont like the design, but it is entirely opinion. i typically overbuild things, which costs a bit more, but i have a lot more confidence in something that is overbuilt. [acronym:b541bc6e08="For your info"]fyi[/acronym:b541bc6e08], here is the garf page, http://www.garf.org/tank/buildstand.asp i put in 30" height, 48" width, and 14" depth. they listed 4 2x4x30 legs. so, no double legs. ~mike __________________ 55gal [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], [acronym="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym] stand and Hood, AquaC Remora, Coralife Lunar Aqualight (4x65W), 60 LB Hirocks Base Rock, 40 LB [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym] 50/50 Keys/Gulf 150 LB Playsand (~3-4 in [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym]) 2 x Blood Red Fire Shrimp, 2 x Cleaner Shrimp 2 x Black and White Percula Clown, 1 x Orange Spotted Blenny, 1 x Red Stripe High Fin Goby

01-12-2006, 08:35 AM	#16
DeFeKt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth australia Posts: 1,435 Images: 18	a stand built from plans off the www.garf.org website. ditto with the legs comment, I built mine and rebated 2x4 legs so they are directly under the frame supporting the tank. Glad I saw this thread will be doing exactly the same with the mdf and spraying it gloss black...cheers Matt __________________ Dimidiochromis compressiceps, Astatotilapia latifasciata Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Labidochromis caeruleus Cynotilapia afra 'Cobue' Pseudotropheus acei 'Msuli Point' Aulunocara stuartgranti 'chipoka' Labidochromis freibergi Oreochromis mossambicus Etroplus suratensis

01-14-2006, 06:29 AM	#18
DeFeKt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth australia Posts: 1,435 Images: 18	thanks for that, Matthew. __________________ Dimidiochromis compressiceps, Astatotilapia latifasciata Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos Labidochromis caeruleus Cynotilapia afra 'Cobue' Pseudotropheus acei 'Msuli Point' Aulunocara stuartgranti 'chipoka' Labidochromis freibergi Oreochromis mossambicus Etroplus suratensis

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Garf stand problem-will it fit?	hannibal_lector	DIY Projects	3	10-08-2005 11:04 AM
Going to build a GARF stand.	William	DIY Projects	7	08-04-2004 11:24 AM
My attempt at a 55g GARF stand	JeffProe	DIY Projects	12	07-09-2004 06:55 PM
Going to build a Garf Stand this weekend.	William	DIY Projects	8	03-14-2004 01:55 PM
garf.org stand questions	JProx	DIY Projects	43	02-23-2004 02:16 PM

07-23-2005, 02:42 PM	#12
bussardnr Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thurmont MD Posts: 157	when i looked at the plans i thought they had 2 2x4s for every leg, one between the top/bottom and one on the sides?

07-28-2005, 02:50 PM	#14
manooosie Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: las vegas Posts: 109	How hard is it to build, particularly the canopy? what was the total cost?

01-12-2006, 05:36 AM	#15
Jaymz_Eric Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Flatwoods KY Posts: 34	Whats a Garf stand?

01-14-2006, 04:05 AM	#17
JProx Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cleveland ohio Posts: 359	defekt - i would use satin finish black paint, instead of gloss. you will have to use polyurthane to seal the mdf anyway and it probably won't 'stick' well the gloss finish and you can get polyurthane in gloss or high gloss to get the sheen you want. Mdf will stuck up paint and polyurethane like a sponge so make sure you have enough on hand before you start.