it seems like everyone here always builds there stands out of copious amounts of wood. why don't more people build stands with metal skeletons and then just put some ply on the outside? same thing towards the actual aquariums builds. why not more metal skeletons and then brace with 2/4 and such.
wood vs metal
- Thread starter Csiller
- Start date
i built my stand for my 150 out of angle iron then bolted 1x6 walls into it and it looks great and it solid. but i built my stand for my 320 out of wood and is solid also but wood stand went together alot faster. i like both so its up in the air for me. as for building tanks out of medal and wood my guess would be that its just more to worry about how to join them together more than anything
I was going to have a buddy weld up a stand for me but he was to busy and it wasn't getting done. i went wood because i have the tools and it was alot cheaper, i was able to do it my self in a day. metal nice, clean, strong, down side need to be a welder or have welding experiences, need access to the tools material coast is much more. wood is cheep, it can be strong, need little tools for the job saw, drill, screws, down side more bulky, can crack if not put together right. both need to be built level and set on level ground
Well as a cost comparison the steel for the stand for my 220 was $300 I could of saved some money but I went twice the thickness people usually do and got 2x2x1/4" wall. I am going to use 2x2x1/8" for my 240 but the steel will still be around $250.
My Lincoln welder which is hobby sized was around $700
I have been welding for over 15 years as a hobby.
So I think the tools are about the same cost. Drill, table saw, circular saw, kreg bit, clamps, and so on. I know I have more money in my wood tools than my steel. I just think less people are used to welding so you don't see it as much.
I personally will never go with a wood stand on any tank I plan on keeping for more than three years.
My Lincoln welder which is hobby sized was around $700
I have been welding for over 15 years as a hobby.
So I think the tools are about the same cost. Drill, table saw, circular saw, kreg bit, clamps, and so on. I know I have more money in my wood tools than my steel. I just think less people are used to welding so you don't see it as much.
I personally will never go with a wood stand on any tank I plan on keeping for more than three years.
The choice is determined by your comfort level and in stock tool selection or the size of your wallet.
I have a welder and cutting tools for welding, so when it comes to stand building I prefer metal, my experience is in metal. My brother in law on the other hand is a wood guy, if he were asked to build a stand it's going to be made of wood.
I think it's comfort level of the material your working with for sure. Cost would be a close second as I am positive that I could fine steel cheaper than I could wood, but I'm not the normal Joe that wouldn't know where to look for metal other than Home Desperate or Lowe's.
I think it's comfort level of the material your working with for sure. Cost would be a close second as I am positive that I could fine steel cheaper than I could wood, but I'm not the normal Joe that wouldn't know where to look for metal other than Home Desperate or Lowe's.
Wow i never really thought about the difference, im about to build a 280 plywood tank in the next month or so and ill work out some numbers with our purchasing agent and share them on my build .
I also have full access to an aluminum and steel shop and a cabinet shop , and a painter that sprays our version of rhino lining just need a glass shop now and ill be set
But in my experience 19 years as a carpenter and the last ten of those ive been welding and fabricating sheet metal i would say that the metal stand though maybe more expensive , would be better peice of mind for the owner.
I plan to use steel on my build.
I also have full access to an aluminum and steel shop and a cabinet shop , and a painter that sprays our version of rhino lining just need a glass shop now and ill be set
But in my experience 19 years as a carpenter and the last ten of those ive been welding and fabricating sheet metal i would say that the metal stand though maybe more expensive , would be better peice of mind for the owner.
I plan to use steel on my build.
this is great, can anyone post a few pic of their metal stands?
i could defiantly see for a 48" tank or smaller wood would be the way to go but compared to all the bracings and things ive seen on larger tanks, i think it may be cheaper to use steel due to the lack of material needed.
i spoke with a man at home depot (like the desperate) and it seemed that a simple mig welder would be easy enough to handle and that he and i both think that the idea of welding intimidates people.
anyone used it to frame their plywoods build?
i could defiantly see for a 48" tank or smaller wood would be the way to go but compared to all the bracings and things ive seen on larger tanks, i think it may be cheaper to use steel due to the lack of material needed.
i spoke with a man at home depot (like the desperate) and it seemed that a simple mig welder would be easy enough to handle and that he and i both think that the idea of welding intimidates people.
anyone used it to frame their plywoods build?
I went with metal for my 120g for durability and looks. My partner welded it all at work, and the metal used was only $200aus. He used 44 feet of 40x40 4mm thick galvanized square hollow steel.
