Will it cut it?

[thecoolguy]

ok, so here is the steel stand that will hold my new 7x2.5x2 acrylic tank...

some questions i have:

1) is this stand "stronger" than a conventional wooden stand?

2) i plan on using 3/4" plywood as a base, should i use 1"?

3) do i even need to use plywood?

4) should i use foam on top of plywood if i use plywood? there seems to be very contradicting info in regards to foam and acrylic ---- it seems like most now say that if you use plywood, there is no need for foam?

thanks for the help guys!

 

[Druu]

Looks alright to me. Check the welding and make sure non of it is rusting apart. I'd use a large wooden plank on the top of it. Not sure about the foam though.

 

[DanProwse]

yes use plywood and foam for an acrylic tank

 

[DanProwse]

oh yea, and 3/4" plywood should be fine

 

[dmopar74]

plywood and foam is a MUST with acrylic tanks, unless you want a cracked tank.

 

[the_loaf]

I just set up a 300 gal acrylic tank last night i used 2 half in plywood boards and 3/4 inch foam , the foam allows the tant to settle in uneven spots keeping your tank level

 

[Jkoziatek]

deff ply... acyrlic flexes so having a flat bottom prevents a blowout and the foam allows for the tank to be level and to sit evenly so do that also!

 

[Bderick67]

I don't like how the stand has no laterial support lengthwise. I would think a good solid force, such as a 200 lbs man falling into the side of the tank could cause the 3 pairs of legs to fold sideways under the tank.

 

[thecoolguy]

well, again, the controversy continues....some say just ply, some say ply+foam (although this thread seems to be a both type of thread...)

honestly - not 100% sure if i am going to use foam - we'll see....

as for the stand - just realized that there were no lateral (sideways) bars going across the length of the stand....

i will say though - this stand cannot just bend from a guy running into it - of course with a tank on top it may be a different story - but this is not a petsmart welded iron frame....this thing is super heavy and rock solid....

ill add some more details on the stand to see if it changes any opinions...

 

[RBE17]

If that were my stand I'd weld some gussets where the legs meet the top. I'd also weld some lateral supports connecting all the legs. What size is that tubing? It looks to be 1" square.