Combo tank stand/desk

I'd like to put a small desk in my living room for my upcoming 29 gallon tank. And my laptop, bills etc.
I found this desk plan set and was wondering what you guys thought about beefing it up to support a 300 pound tank?

https://www.shadesofblueinteriors.com/x-frame-desk-with-free-plans/

I'd like to make it more square on top, like 36 by 36 inches. and replace the legs shown with 2x4s for strength? Perhaps add an additional wood x to the back side to better support that side, I'd be pushing the tank towards the back of the desk obviously to leave me a workspace. I really like the drawer as a cleanup and childsafe option.

Any ideas for how to test a DIY stand for load bearing? Other than stand on it lol?

 

Why not build your own instead? I'd be more leery of buying something like that and reinforcing it. There are many plans out there to build tank stands, and ones that can hold 1000+ pound tanks.

 

2x4's for legs will definitely support the tank but you will also want 2x4's for cross supports as well (really you could probably get by with 1x4's but i'd stick with 2x4's)

So really you are going to want to build one from scratch as TexasDomer suggested.

Here is the forum I used when building mine



This is for a 48 inch tank but you can redesign it for a smaller tank.

 

Awesome thanks for that link. I don't have much building experience...ok so I have like none except those high school physics projects. I'm a bit nervous about building one my self but the one in that link looks like a box. Pretty sure I can do a box. I could replace the top with a larger piece of plywood so it's a lot bigger than the tank going on top and add some legs to the front and then it's both desk and stand!

 

That was going to be my suggestion. Make the desk the same width as the tank so the entire tank is supported by cross supports and legs, then extend the top of the desk out so the tank is the back drop of the stand/desk and put new legs on the front.

I'm not sure that it will help but it may give you some ideas. Here is my thread that I am updating through the construction of my stand

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/tyguy7760s-75-gallon-tank-build.214125/

 

Well I think I will start trying to assemble the frame at least over the next week or two, any idea what kind of top to use? How thick would plywood need to be to work?

 

What about buying/making your stand and desk separately but at the same height so it appears that it's one piece?

 

You don't really need a top. The frame should support the entire rI'm of the tank. If you want one, you can use almost anything you want as long as the entire rI'm is supported.

If you do want a top and the frame won't be directly underneath the rim, I would go for some thicker wood. I can't give you an exact width though.

 

Well I think I will start trying to assemble the frame at least over the next week or two, any idea what kind of top to use? How thick would plywood need to be to work?

I wouldn't skimp on the plywood. 3/4 inch plywood or very close would be what I would use (it's what I used for the skin of my tank). You can buy the cabinet grade plywood which is good or do the sanded plywood which is also nice but more pricey. Since it's also a desk you will want it to be smooth.

You can get the cheapest 2x4's for the legs and supports. I bought the untreated white pine premium studs from home depot. They were like 2 bucks an 8 foot board. You don't need to get the treated lumber.