Looking for metal advice on new stands

[DB junkie]

I'm looking for some advice. I feel I'm very poor at drawing the line between what is "enough" and what is "overkill". So I would like some experienced advice in terms of building some metal stands.

I need to build 3 stands for some recently aquired acrylic tanks.

The tanks are-
8 x 2.5 x 2
6 x 3 x 1.5
4 x 3 x 1.5

Looking for advice as far as what size steel to use.

I have been advised to use 2 by 2 by 1/8 square tube.

This seems to me, given the tanks' height maybe a little much. The source is VERY reliable so I think it's probobly a safe bet, but I know some of you (Zenz) have recently built a stands.... So I would like your thoughts, feelings, and opinions.......

 

[DB junkie]

Anyone?

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

The actual design of the stand is where you can say it is overkill or not. using 2x2 box you could get away with less bracing. Where if you used a 1.5'' box or smaller you would need more of it for bracing. Another question to ask your self is how close to the thresh hold between enough and not enough do you want to get . And if you are looking for a cheaper route you just can not beat a 2x4 stand.

 

[invisyblegypsey]

The actual design of the stand is where you can say it is overkill or not. using 2x2 box you could get away with less bracing. Where if you used a 1.5'' box or smaller you would need more of it for bracing. Another question to ask your self is how close to the thresh hold between enough and not enough do you want to get . And if you are looking for a cheaper route you just can not beat a 2x4 stand.

that abought summs it up.

 

[DB junkie]

The reason I ask is cause the stand for my big tank is made from 1 x 1 and that tank is over double the size of any of the other sizes I mentioned. It has NO cross bracing on the verticle supports. So I figered if that was strong enough to support that tank, then why would it be necessary to double the size of tube for tanks that are 1/2 the size?

Done with wooden stands. The last one I built I overkilled to the point that it weighs a lot more than the 300 gallon tank it holds up. I need to fit the filter under it and with all the room the wood takes up it makes it kinda difficult.

Not looking for a cheap way out but rather something that will maximise room and ease to get to things. A metal frame with a removeable face would be a lot easier to mess with the filter than a wooden stand.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[harvick29fan]

i build conveyors for meat packing plants and install them . in my experience i would suggest going with a stand made of 1 1/2 " square tubing with a 1/8 " wall thickness . heres a simple drawing (key word simple ! )of how i would build a simple stand . the top can be made of 2 " angle any thickness you desire with the leg down that way you can weld the square tubes to the bottm on the inside of angle then just cut and weld your legs and intermediate tubes ( which actually give you your strength stabillity ) they also make a threaded tap in square insert for legs for adjustability in leveling . they will bring your cost up but are well worth it (no unsightly shims ) the other pics are of a stand i made for my 180 . it was something we had started for a metal detector but plans were changed in mid stream so i converted it to a tank stand . its not finished completely but close . good luck with building yours !!


WELDERS DO IT HOTTER IN THE SACK!!!!!!

 

[harvick29fan]

by the way , where in iowa are you from ? i'm a transplanted iowan living in kansas now (hate it here ) i grew up in nw corner of iowa . small town called LeMars ( home of Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream)

 

[DB junkie]

I live in Clear Lake. Repair Chrysler/Jeep products in Mason City.

I'll have to price some 1.5. I only priced 2x2 1x1 and 1x2.

Thanks for the input. And definetly will be opting for the adjustable legs.

 

[harvick29fan]

cool i've done some work over in britt . stayed in clear lake . great fishing there to btw !

 

[PieTangle]

im overkillin the hell out of my steal stand its 2x2x1/4 sq tube legs 3x3/8 flat steal around the top 2x2x1/4 angle around the top an bottom plus used as cross bracing im also throwin some top rail around the sides and on the feet for pizaz if you know what i mean this thing doesent way more than my 210g tank but it isnt lite