I was just wondering where most of the weight is held on a perfecto pine stand for a 220 gal. tank. for wooden stands like that, is the weight distributed out to the 4 corners? and what would you think roughly would be the percentage of weight held by the middle of a wooden stand?
panic
- Thread starter downset21
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A nerd reply without math is if you were to slice the tank on a meat slicer (into thin slices), each slice would be supported directly below it by the stand. This is exactly how an evenly supported tank is distributed. When you support the tank by the four corners, the glass must bear the stress, strain, and deformation. The elastic modulus of glass is very low, meaning that it deforms very little before failing.
The answer for the center support is if there are three sets of supports, the centers will carry half of the load (or a third, I am not sure but I am working it out on a sleep deprived brain. I'd go with half.)
I do not do math while sleep deprived but the solution is solved using moment arms. The equation is M=Fd. M is the moment, F is the force, d is the distance from the moment. The equation of equilibrium is (sum)Fx=0 or add all of the moments together letting them equal zero. If your center support is represented by one variable and the outsides by a different variable, then the centers can be solved in terms of the outside supports.
Another way is using a mind exercise. Imagine cutting the tank in half, resting the two halves on three sets of supports. The center supports will hold twice the weight as each of the outside supports. (each half will be supported evenly by an outside set of supports and the centers)
The answer for the center support is if there are three sets of supports, the centers will carry half of the load (or a third, I am not sure but I am working it out on a sleep deprived brain. I'd go with half.)
I do not do math while sleep deprived but the solution is solved using moment arms. The equation is M=Fd. M is the moment, F is the force, d is the distance from the moment. The equation of equilibrium is (sum)Fx=0 or add all of the moments together letting them equal zero. If your center support is represented by one variable and the outsides by a different variable, then the centers can be solved in terms of the outside supports.
Another way is using a mind exercise. Imagine cutting the tank in half, resting the two halves on three sets of supports. The center supports will hold twice the weight as each of the outside supports. (each half will be supported evenly by an outside set of supports and the centers)
thank you, that was explained very well. it doesn't look like the tank is being supported throughout the length of it. it looks like it is only hitting on the 4 corners, left and right sides, and a piece of pine right down the middle. i dont like the looks of it but it is holding fine... should i be scared? it's brand new from Perfecto.
I have the same 220 Perfecto and Pine stand. my tank appears to only be supported by the perimiter of the stand. There is a 1x4 brace to keep the stand from speading in the center. It does not appear to be holding any weight from the tank. It has been set up since November of 2005 with no problems. I did reinforce the floor with some braces in the crawl space.
Hope it helps.
Hope it helps.
The build on some of those pre-made stands are surprising. I know that some tank companies will only honor their warranty only if it sits on one of their stands, so it must be sufficient. For me though I like the peace of mind of a over-engineered homemade 2x4, 4x4 stand. None of that particle board stuff that loses its structual integrity once it gets wet 
Yep, got one of those too. I completely revamped mine, used it more as a skin for my real stand. 
The factory built cabinets/stands are engineered but not over-engineered. Under ideal conditions and circumstances they could last for years, they're just not a permanent solution. Just never spill a half cup of water on the particle board (it doesnt take much).
The minimum to do would be a 3/4" piece of plywood under the tank with styrofoam to crush and distribute the weight. You could counter sink and screw the wood to the stand to halp tie it all together.
Or Sears has a nice wet/dry vac for $99.
Dr Joe
.
The factory built cabinets/stands are engineered but not over-engineered. Under ideal conditions and circumstances they could last for years, they're just not a permanent solution. Just never spill a half cup of water on the particle board (it doesnt take much).
The minimum to do would be a 3/4" piece of plywood under the tank with styrofoam to crush and distribute the weight. You could counter sink and screw the wood to the stand to halp tie it all together.
Or Sears has a nice wet/dry vac for $99.
Dr Joe
.
I reinforced mine down the middle but now you've got me thinking about reinforcing the whole damn thing... stands should be free to make up for this F'ing stress.
Amen.
Or a guarantee to come out & vacuum up the mess- pay for damages.(Never going to happen)
I hate guarentees that state "if used as directed" "in accordance with design parameters" or "don't feed after midnite/don't get wet".
One stand my SIL bought actually said warranty was void if stand got wet!?!
DIY...'nuff said.
Dr Joe
.
Or a guarantee to come out & vacuum up the mess- pay for damages.(Never going to happen)
I hate guarentees that state "if used as directed" "in accordance with design parameters" or "don't feed after midnite/don't get wet".
One stand my SIL bought actually said warranty was void if stand got wet!?!
DIY...'nuff said.
Dr Joe
.