Stand Idea........

[TexasMFK31]

If you look at the photo above there are essentially 4 legs that hold this tank up. I love the look and simplicity of this. So my curiosity is, do you think something similar could be done with steel legs? If made from box tubing, maybe a simple window frame look. Think, 4 vertical supports, with 2 beams that ran the support. This would be for an 96"x65" tank. Having 4 of those, would be one placed every 4 feet. Would bolt a metal band across the inside arms for support length wise. I am thinking this would make an easy to move tank stand should I move location, not to mention get it in the house. Thoughts/ideas on this? What size metal would one recommend? Tagging jsodwi just because I know you have a tank stand side hustle.

 

[TexasMFK31]

Correction to above, one would be placed approx. every 2 feet.

 

[markstrimaran]

It doesn't look 65" across the side. That will be the heaviest load to span.

How many gallons?

I am tentatively thinking, 2" × 2" @ 1/8th wall. 11 guage welded joints. Will suffice.

I span 48" with 1.5 x 1.5 @ 14 guage on my 90 gallon.



Theirs a cantilever calculator that you can crunch the numbers on, google cantilever calculator.


I would recommend a full base foot print, to distribute the weight , or use 4x6 as the floor contact piece.

 

[TexasMFK31]

I'm talking something similar to this. The length of these frames is 65". Then arrange them the full length of the tank which is 96". To keep them from rocking, I would bolt some angle iron to the inner posts. This would make the stand easily transportable but rigid when needed. Obviously would nee to be a thick base, was thinking 4"x2" box tubing. Maybe I'm just crazy with my thought.

 

[markstrimaran]

2" x 2" 11 guage will hold the weight. Even on the floor it will be sufficient.

Bolting the stand together with angle iron is going to be too flimsy. A square tube type reciever, insert.

I would make it modular. With solid steel boxes on the ends.

What's going to be the deck? Where the aquarium meets the metal,?

 

[TexasMFK31]

2" x 2" 11 guage will hold the weight. Even on the floor it will be sufficient.

Bolting the stand together with angle iron is going to be too flimsy. A square tube type reciever, insert.

I would make it modular. With solid steel boxes on the ends.

What's going to be the deck? Where the aquarium meets the metal,?

I was thinking a 1/2" thick plywood base. The bottom of the tank itself will be 1.5" thick

 

[markstrimaran]

Is the tank ridged enough to span the distance without rim support?

 

[TexasMFK31]

I imagine it's be rigid enough to span ~1.75' between supports. Maybe build 2 smaller frames and tie them together once in the house.

 

[markstrimaran]

65" x 20" unsupported, might bow inward between the steel , causing the wieght stress to to focused.

If your tank is a plywood build, it's a guesstament.

I would not do it with glass or acrylic.

 

[TexasMFK31]

Yeah, it's an idea I'm tossing around. A metal stand is almost a must for this build, although 2x6 wood would work as well and I could do it. Both wood and steel are going to be heavy to move as it is replacing a current tank.