Iron stand for my 2ton Tank!!!!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
the other thing is that I think we may be overestimating the weight a bit here.

for an 80x24 footprint tank to weigh 4000 pounds either the height needs to be super tall (over 40") or the tank would have to be full of large rocks/substrate.

10 pounds per gallon is a pretty good approximation of overall setup weight, but to get to 350-400g with an 80x24" footprint, the height would have to be insane.

what is the planned height of this tank? this will help in estimating the weight which would also help plan the stand.
 
for an 80x24 footprint tank to weigh 4000 pounds either the height needs to be super tall (over 40") or the tank would have to be full of large rocks/substrate.
Click to expand...

I think you are correct. Something is wrong with the dimensions or weight the OP gave.

OP we need more and accurate details please.
 
mrwrinkle, I must agree with BadOleRoss. Angle Iron will not do. 4" square tubing is what you will need. 1/4" wall tubing thickness minimum 3/8" is better. Your main cube will need this, with your cross bracing across the top and bottom as per your top view. Your top and bottom rectangles will need this to keep the sides from bowing out on the sides. Once you have your rectangles made for you top and bottom out of 4" sq. tubing, you'll need 4 verticles for each corner to make you cube, but you'll need 4 more verticles directly below your 2 center cross pieces, (2 for ea. side). Additionally, you'll need angle braces at every 90 degree angled corner with 3" square tubing at a minimum of half the distance of a straight section (e.g. your bottom diagrahm). This must be done on both sides, ends, top and bottom. This will prevent sheering and wracking in all directions of your stand and should hold you 2 tons of weight.
 
I have to say trusting angle iron over tube on a unsupported span of that width is not the ANGLE I would choose to go with, All you need is one tiny bit of flex to happen over a period of time.
 
I been reading through this thread and thought I'd give a little insight to what the OP is trying to do.

I used to design Pallet rack systems that support on the average 5000# per level and I can tell you right now 80" isn't a problem. The problem he will be facing is the depth of the load. If too shallow he stands a chance of it being pushed or pulled over. If anything he'll have to design something that will have a much greater foot print than that of 80" x 24". I'm referring to the footing for the legs of the system. You'll want to spread the downward force of each leg that is supporting the load.

The second issue would be, "can the floor actually support that 4000# load?"

Then there is the issue of the actual stand that this monster will be going on. It'll have to be braced with either flat strap (steel bars forming an X on the front and the back*.

The actually beams that are going to support the load will probably be okay if you go with 3" structural C-Channel. With the C-Channel you'll be able to brace them from front to back with a minmum of 2 ties, 4 to be safe.

With all that being said, it'll still be unsafe as it'll still want to sway to the left or to the right under the weight of the tank.

If you have the time approah a material handling distributor and they might be able to design something for you, probably won't be cheap.
 
I would use 2"x 3"x .1875" (3/16") square tubing (3" being the vertical dimension) for the 2 long spans and 2"x 2" x .1875" square tubing for the uprights and the rest with gussets at the corners. No center supports needed! Done deal! What people are failing to realize here is that an aquariums weight is evenly dispersed across the WHOLE length and is NOT concentrated in any one area if it is an acrylic tank sitting on plywood. And that it IS concentrated along the perimeter if it is a glass tank!
 
jsodwi;3944521; said:
All you need is 2x2 square tubing with an 1/8" wall and the right design and you will be fine. I design and weld for a living for some heavy equipment at times. here is the thread for my newest stand which is holding over 7000 lbs.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296907
Click to expand...

Nice stand, and for your configuration I agree that 2"x 2" x .125" is enough, but he wants a span of 80" with NO uprights in the middle in order to access a sump. 2"x 2" X .0125" is NOT strong enough for a free span of 80"!!!
 
jsodwi;3944521; said:
All you need is 2x2 square tubing with an 1/8" wall and the right design and you will be fine. I design and weld for a living for some heavy equipment at times. here is the thread for my newest stand which is holding over 7000 lbs.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296907
Click to expand...

Nice stand. That should hold most anything. It is way over built compared to the angel iron the OP was talking about.

What people are failing to realize here is that an aquariums weight is evenly dispersed across the WHOLE length and is NOT concentrated in any one area if it is an acrylic tank sitting on plywood. And that it IS concentrated along the perimeter if it is a glass tank!
Click to expand...

The force of gravity is pulling down evenly and equally in both cases. The design of the tank and stand is transferring the load to the stand and then the floor. That is where my concern would be with the angel iron mentioned with an 80" clear span. In general for transferring a large load you need stronger material or more structural members to share the load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom