Yes, I went online an did some research. So that not a factor for me, but I still have to get me tank level looking for some steel plates now..
Another Monster tank build need help
- Thread starter doviiman
- Start date
Looks like about 1/4'' on one end and it varies down from there on about 6 total legs. I will start looking for some steel sheets to put under the feets. The tube feets are about 2x2'' Anyone out there knwo where I can get some 1/4'' 4x4'' steel plates? I tried these shims just to see if I could get it leveled and it did, but not sturdy enough.
Every city has steel supply yards. And they will cut your piece for you.
BTW, what is going to be your diagonal bracing? Hope you don't plan to depend on end welds.
BTW, what is going to be your diagonal bracing? Hope you don't plan to depend on end welds.
Okay once again you have stumped me with another question, Are you referring to diagonal bracing on the stand? There are the four in the corners of the tank, as you saying that is not enough?
Not to mention you have scared me to death of this stand not holding the required weight. I give up, I am out the hobby and selling it all...
Not trying to scare you! But if this is out of your experience level it could be a disaster waiting to happen.
You need some form of diagonal bracing on all 4 sides. It can be sheer panel, such as plywood, sheet steel, etc. or it can be steel tubing placed from corner to corner. This bracing, whichever you use, must be fastened very well; 5 screws in a sheet of plywood to close it in is NOT a sheer panel. Without this, the entire stand can simply fall over or rotate to the ground. The welds at the top of each tube is not near strong enough to prevent that.
I haven't seen a gallonage goal, but from the looks of pics, I am assuming in the 1,000 range? That's 8,300 lbs of water!
I think you have a good start, but all things need to be addressed! I think we are all on here to learn and help with what we know; structural design and methods happens to be something I have 25 yrs exp with.
edit; and to answer your ? about the existing tiny little diagonals....no, that's not enough.
You need some form of diagonal bracing on all 4 sides. It can be sheer panel, such as plywood, sheet steel, etc. or it can be steel tubing placed from corner to corner. This bracing, whichever you use, must be fastened very well; 5 screws in a sheet of plywood to close it in is NOT a sheer panel. Without this, the entire stand can simply fall over or rotate to the ground. The welds at the top of each tube is not near strong enough to prevent that.
I haven't seen a gallonage goal, but from the looks of pics, I am assuming in the 1,000 range? That's 8,300 lbs of water!
I think you have a good start, but all things need to be addressed! I think we are all on here to learn and help with what we know; structural design and methods happens to be something I have 25 yrs exp with.
edit; and to answer your ? about the existing tiny little diagonals....no, that's not enough.
Actually this is great learing cruve for me. The reason why I am in the dark on this build is that in the past I purchased all my tanks with stands and canopies 300 gallons was the max and usually made of wood, but this is a first for a steel stand that I will have to dress up and level out that I bought seprate from the tank.
I have been looking at some other tanks with stand and yes mine seems to be on the whimpy sides when it comes to bracing and footing.
I will look for someone local to address the issues and maybe add more bracing and some type of footing to distibute weight beter.
Keep the comments/ideas coming though, it's better to be asking now, than to be posting in lessons learned later
Glad to hear you are not throwing in the towel (I knew you were bluffing). It shouldn't be too tough for your welder to add some steel triangle plates in some of the corners to add some shear (anti-racking) strength. I'm not a welder, but I would think they would be easier to do than addiing steel tube supports, like you already have and that I have on my stand.
Mine is probably overbuilt, but like we talked about before, I live in 'quake country. Here's a pic of what I was referring to in regards to the steel triangle supports (not my stand):
Mine is probably overbuilt, but like we talked about before, I live in 'quake country. Here's a pic of what I was referring to in regards to the steel triangle supports (not my stand):
aldiaz33, the only concern with your gusset design is that the legs can theoretically flex below the plate. That all depends of course on the actual wt involved.
I call photoshop on the JD. That's a cool lookin fish though.
The stand will support ~ 7,000lbs total.
I agree with you that some extra shear support would provide piece of mind, but I believe you are going overboard with the concept. All of your suggestions close off the openings between the verticals. If I am hearing you correctly, how would someone fit a sump under the stand if all steel stands were designed like yours? I have seen quite a few large tank stands (400G+) with no shear support what-so-ever...and these were made by some of the largest aquarium manufacturers in the world. They probably go as cheap as possible without being dangerous, but many large tank stands don't have the bracing as you describe it. I'm agreeing with you that some should be added, but not to the degree that you are claiming. My stand also has supports in the corners (they do not span the entire width of the openings between the legs). I will check for flexing when I get home, but I doubt it's going to be an issue.
Here's a pic of my stand:
