Lets see those steel stands!

[pfoxgrover]

Originally Posted by stryke297

Is rectangular and square tubing metal or something else? I wouldn't use anything besides metal or solid wood for support. Also you have a basement or crawlspace where you are putting this?

It would be regular carbon steel and it will be going on a concrete slab.

[stryke297]

Should be good then. Whats the outward pressure going to be?

[pfoxgrover]

Originally Posted by stryke297

Should be good then. Whats the outward pressure going to be?

I read all 77 pages of this thread and could not find one example of anyone using stock less than 0.120 inch steel tubing. I don't want to over engineer the stand making too heavy and expensive but I also don't want to spend a thousand dollars to make a safety hazard.

What do you mean by "outward pressure"? I think the aquarium should weigh less than 3500 lb, but I don't know how to translate that into the stress than will be placed on the stand or what forces or deflection that will result.

That is where I was hoping to get some help via a computer simulation like aqua expert 19 has done or hear from someone that has built something similar and verified the results.

-Paul

[sreuland]

cool forum, dedicated to steel! awesome builds on here. I designed and made this stand last year. I incorporated fixtures into frame for casters, leveling feet, standoffs. I've posted details of stand/tank on a different board:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2343654

I used sketchup first like a lot have posted here, ordered my stock from www.onlinemetals.com, never worked with metal prior, learned to cut,weld,grind at a metal shop open to public.

[Linkfalcon]

Any one in va area building steel stands

[manghetti]

What would you guys recommend for a 150 gallon tank? You think 2" steel/square tubing with bracing would be good? How thick should I get it?

Tank stand would be 60" x 24" x 36"+

Please respond

[msayani2]

I need some help with a steel stand design. The stand will be made for a 150cm x 70cm x 50cm tank (LxWxH). The stand is to be 90cm high and have a base area of 151cm x 71cm to allow for overflow bulkheads and other items.

1. Tank is to be centered on the stand such that there is 0.5cm excess on either side. Any issues with this?

2. 2"x2"x1/8" Square tubing will be used. WHAT GRADE OF STEEL DO I USE TO MAKE THE STAND?

3. Prior to placing the tank on the stand, do I need to place 1" plywood and then 0.5" rubber/foam? Do I do both or just one (wood or rubber or foam)

4. I will be placing 6" Isoceles triangles as gussets (1/8" thick) on the front, LH side, RH Side and Rear of the tank symetrically. Photos to follow. Is this too big a gusset size?

Note - welding to be done by professional fabricators.

I will post a drawing in an hour or so, however, I would like experienced guys like kcress to provide feedback/answers. Thank you

[msayani2]

Attached is the current stand design. All dimensions in mm other than the gussets (6"x6" triangles).

You will also notice that the sump will be in a tray on wheels to allow for quick removal if required. It also includes a 5 cm depth for containing water spills near the sump.

Let me know what you guys think. My plan is to have this design critqued, confirmed and then made.

Thanks!

[msayani2]

Note:
-- All dimensions in mm other than the gussets (6"x6" x 1/8" thick triangles).

-- Stand dimensions are - 1510x710x900 MM (end to end)

[msayani2]

BUMP! Anyone can help out with this ^ ??

[flyingpolarbear]

Great info here. I wish I had the time to go to a metal shop for a custom stand. Anyone like to recommend some metal fabricators in Southern California who are already familiar with the structural requirements for aquarium stands? I'm planning a 200 gal tank, and I like the idea of more space under the cabinet. PM is ok too for contacts.

[flyingpolarbear]

Any thoughts for the design for the skirts that go around the bottom edge of the aquarium? In the typical aquarium stand, this is the lip that rises up about an inch so the aquarium drops into the stand, so it doesn't move laterally. I can see two useful purposes for this 1. to prevent the aquarium from sliding sideways during an earthquake, and 2. someplace water can drip as it flows down the outside of the glass (during maintenance goofs) so it doesn't continue down onto the cabinet doors. Anyone make these retainers out of thin metal and have them welded to the stand? Or just use the wood face sticking up a little bit (would that be strong enough to contain a 2,000 lb aquarium laterally during a big quake)?

[johnike]

Mine got finished just yesterday.

[Linkfalcon]

how are yall skinning these stands

[flyingpolarbear]

I made these sketchup drawings for the metal stand for our 200 gallon 60x36x22 tank project. Before I take the drawing to the fabricator, I'd love to get some critique from the metal experts.

This will be made from stainless steel. I'm planning for 1.5" x 1.5" x 3/16" square tubing (except 1.5" x 3" in the front top) and 3" x 1/4" gussets. Do I have too many gussets? Ok to skip the gussets on the front bottom for better access?

I am thinking about having a retaining lip welded all around on top to prevent the tank from sliding off during an earthquake, since I live in an earthquake prone area. Not sure though how to best design such a lip, since spilled water would then pool onto the metal and eventually cause corrosion. Or maybe I should make a retaining lip from the panel that goes over the stand. Any other features to add?

[flyingpolarbear]

Here's a larger drawing. I'd like to have large openings in the front for sump access. But I am concerned it's better to have symmetry for even loading. Or would this be ok?

[johnike]

[CoralNerd]

Tank will be a 100G Cadlights 47.5"L x 23.5''W x 20''H

There will be no need to put spray on line x or powder coat with aluminum.

Do you think a aluminum stand like this would work?
Will 4 legs work?
stand.jpg

[flyingpolarbear]

Originally Posted by TankStands

Do you think a aluminum stand like this would work?

Based readings from the metal experts on this long thread, that aluminum stand has a couple common issues making it less than ideal. It does not have gussets (but maybe that's why the legs are so thick) and the middle span does not transfer the force continuously to the ground (it does not have any legs on either side, right below the center divider that supports the bottom of the tank). I remember when I was looking into a metal garden gate, I skipped aluminum because it bends so much easier than steel so to handle the equivalent forces it has to be a LOT beefier.

[CoralNerd]

Aluminum is light weight strong and durable, also water corrosion actually strengthens aluminum to prevent additional corrosion.
That’s why the military uses it. Jet liners and many boats are made out of aluminum.

The key to keeping aluminum from corrosion is to NOT mix any other metal with it.
This means the solder screws bolts and any other metals must also be made out of aluminum or have a nylon washer.

The stand looks pretty beefy to me, any 2nd or 3rd opinions out there?

[Konadog]

I don't think using aluminum is a problem as long as you did your homework on the size and thickness of the tubing. As far as corrosion causing problems, again I don't think it will cause issues (to a point), but it sure will look ugly if it all turns white and fuzzy!

I was never a fan of gussets if there not needed, and for most of us, these stands are way overbuilt compared to a wood stand that almost never have them!

My Line-x coated steel stand still looks as good as the day it was done. No chips, rust, or anything!

[CoralNerd]

Thanks for your input Konadog, I appreciate it.
If it gets any white fuzzy I can use a little ebow grease to get it off.

Did you use stainless steel or black steel on your project?
Also is that primer on your stand prior to Line-x coating?
I was told by Line-x that it needed to be sand blasted before I brought a stand over to be coated.

[johnike]

Ready to go...

[Konadog]

Nice stand, center cutout is like mine.

TankStands, it's iron tubing and as far as I remember, it just needed to be oil free. They just sprayed over the primer as far as I know.

[caribbou]

My new stand for two tanks. 300L + 175L. (80gal and 45gal)
50x50x3 (2inch by 2 inch, 1/8 thickness). For sump section I used 1x1 inch square tubing.
Stand size ir 2m by 0.7m (78 inch by 27inch)

I havent done any calculation, but i think it will hold both tanks.

Any comments? Will it hold and if six legs will be enought or I should go for 8 legs?