Dan White wrote:
"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...

Most hardwoods are quite strong in compression. Even for a 75
gallon I suspect 2x4s and 4x4s are overkill. I'd build with 4/4
making sure I had at least two internal vertical dividers for a tank
that size. I used one vertical divider for my 40 gallon.

I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying you would make a frame
entirely out of 4 by 4's, or would you do it the way the guy with the
website did? I don't think this is what you were intending to say.

"4/4" means rough cut lumber 1 inch thick (it's measured in units of
1/4"--4/4 is 1 inch, 8/4 is 2 inch, 5/4 is 1-1/4 inch etc), which
normally dresses out to 3/4 or so.

Even plain old white pine has a compressive strength of over 4000 PSI
when applied parallel to the grain. Perpendicular to the grain though
it's only a tenth that strong, but even then 3 square inches would
support the entire weight of the tank with enough margin for aircraft
design.

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--John
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