Diy aquarium stand out of angle iron

[Daddynemo30]

Recently I had my neighbor, who works code and programs to cut metal, design me a stand for a 90 gallon tank 46" high at the base of the aquarium. The footprint is 48" x 20". It is being cut today from 1/4" x2"x2". I know the top and bottom have to be welded first and the legs welded inside. My question is will this be the "more than enough" strength I'm going for for the 90 gallon tank with live rock, water and canopy weight. And if so, any ideas to the ball park weight I can make the canopy? I wish I was some sort of structural engineer or could find my answer online, but I'm sure someone here has some knowledge of this for a stand. What are the typical weight capacities of metal stands?

 

[Javamahn]

There are online Deflection calculators which can give you an estimate of the steel sag based on the load. Saltwater is about 8.6 pounds per gallon so that plus the weight of the tank and canopy will give you a good idea. I would think 2" x2" is plenty strong but I am also no engineer. The important point will be to make sure everything is EXACTLY square so you are distributing the load equally at all points of contact. Then a good piece of 3/4" plywood on top will help with that concept. Square stock I would gusset the corners to prevent skew.

 

[Daddynemo30]

Yeah I forgot to mention he's also cutting gusset to be welded. Not only the top and bottom squares but also the legs to the top and bottom each side. I think he said he's using 4 inches of 1/4" at each corner. My welder is very precise and he is also big into aquariums so he understands the importance of it being squared perfectly.
What type of wood would you suggest, a hard or softer wood?

 

[TheHarold]

Yeah I forgot to mention he's also cutting gusset to be welded. Not only the top and bottom squares but also the legs to the top and bottom each side. I think he said he's using 4 inches of 1/4" at each corner. My welder is very precise and he is also big into aquariums so he understands the importance of it being squared perfectly.
What type of wood would you suggest, a hard or softer wood?

Marine plywood? Hard and treated for water resistance. And make sure its painted, as well as the iron stand.

 

[Daddynemo30]

I had planned on painting it. Was throbbing around using a polyurethane clear to prevent any slat creep or possible rust but wasnt sure if that was just overkill

 

[TheHarold]

I had planned on painting it. Was throbbing around using a polyurethane clear to prevent any slat creep or possible rust but wasnt sure if that was just overkill

Why would poly be overkill but paint not? Same price, same application, etc.

 

[Daddynemo30]

Meaning paint and then poly overtop

 

[dugthefish]

I'm no engineer, but I always use square tubing or channel steel for heavy loads. If you bumped it up to 2x2 square or 3" channel, I would be pretty comfortable.

 

[Javamahn]

Most professionally crafted tanks five foot or less sit on furniture grade 3/4" plywood stands with no internal skeleton. You should be fine. A few build considerations. Ask the welder to put a few tabs on the back upper support that you can use to bolt a plank of wood to. This will give you something to mount hardware wires etc to. Powder coating is the best finish but people also use truck bed liner paint as a cheaper alternative. Seal it good as salt water and mild steel don't play well together. Google bridge building and US Navy for more info. And enjoy it

 

[Daddynemo30]

Thanks for the help everyone. Guess its a good thing I spray rhino liner for a living

 

[Maggie321]

Bed liner... genius!