Stand Stabilty Issues Or How to Avoid 240g On the Floor...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Best way to keep the tank off the floor, Don't put it on it. I know steel is very strong but.....
 
With some horizontal bracing as Chompers suggested, you will be fine. If a 2x4 can hold 2,300 lbs vertically, I'm sure 2" angle iron can do the same.
 
Hi all,

Just a quick update for those that have replied / been following this thread. I've spoken with tank supplier today and whilst they have a few reservations about the overall design, materials used etc they indicated the stand will be able to carry the load and its just a case of adding some lateral supports :)

In retrospect and in all fairness to the stand supplier i did tell them i intended to board it out and then changed my mind after it was built so some of the blame probably lies with myself too.

Thanks all for the comments and ideas, really looking forward to introducing our fish to their new home instead of fretting about flooding the lounge :WHOA:

Cheers
T.J
 
Double check the wall thickness on that angle iron and let us know.

You should be able to fix that up without too much hassle though. If you put a few flat steel cross braces in (2mm - 3mm thick) and put them in with self tapper screws it should easily stop any swaying / wobbly feel.

You could strengthen up the outer frame by wrapping it with some timber sheets and also screwing that to the frame.

Honestly I doesnt look too bad to me, no need to be despondent about it I would just do the extra pieces for piece of mind and the tank will look very nice with the stand wrapped if you wanted to seriously go overboard.

40mm x 40mm angle iron is pretty hefty stuff and I would not worry about it collapsing under the weight unless it is very thin material, my only concern would be the rocking because that can shear less than 100% perfect welds.
 
Even if the stand wont fail u still need to figure out if the flexing of the stand is going to put a strain on the tank seals. If it gives enough in the wrong place it could put uneven pressure on the tank. If that happens u may not have a problem right away but could in the long run. "Measure twice cut once mentality" will pay off in spades in these types of situations.
 
If the stand was built specifically to hold that size tank wouldn't it be a non issue that it will hold the tank? I do understand its best to err on the side of caution and like the earlier posting said steel stands always seem flimsy but they hold a lot I had a buddy build me a stand for a 8 foot 180 that I. Have out of 1.5" boxtube and it holds that and two 90s on the bottom no problem
 
Hi again,

The angle iron is 3mm wall thickness, not 100% sure on the box section but believe that to be either 1.5 or 2mm - i gave the stand suppliers the size and estimated weights and that's what they came up with. I've got some spare 18mm ply here so will cut sheets for the sides and two "inner" sections at the back, been rummaging around the shed and found some braced 90deg brackets that i can also affix to the front without restricting access to the sump. I'm also going to screw the 18mm ply base for the tank to the angle iron top rails, this should help reduce any twisting along the 8ft length. Also if its any help the stand was TiG welded which i believe can result in stronger welds than MiG or arc?

The tank itself has been built to a massively high standard with not a single piece of glass touching another, even the base is in two 4x2ft sections joined along the centre - overall the tank has been designed and built to naturally "give" a little without stressing the seems. With this in mind I'm hoping that going a bit OTT with the bracing will stiffen it up enough not to cause any problems, will fill it up very slowly and cross fingers lol.

Cheers
T.J
 
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