New steel stand

[Fishess]

Hello, i'm completely new to building stands, and i don't know much.. I kinda need some help finding right steel size, and thickness.
My aquarium is about 40 gallon.(150L) size 32"x14"x20" (81x36x50Cm) Stand will be about same size BUT 40" (100Cm) high
Was thinking making stand from square steel tubing.. But i don't know much about steel structural strength.
Do i build it with 4x "legs" or better 6x "legs" Something like images.. What size, and thickness should the steel be?
I want the stand to be very, very strong, and safe.. ( I will be adding thick wood on top of stand)
Thanks for any tips in advance.

 

[Bret]

.120 wall 1.5" square steel tubing will give you plenty of strength. You could also use .095 wall and be ok, but since it sounds like you want ultimate strength, go with the thicker tubing (its also easier to weld). For your 32" span, you will be fine with just the 4 legs, but make sure to add plenty of gusseting in the corners, especially since you are making it so tall. Check out my build thread, I just finished a steel stand or my 90 gallon.

 

[Fishess]

Sweet build Bret love the wood look If i need gussets, can i add simply another beam in middle?(as image shown) or use lagger steel like 2x2?
I was planing to use 2x2 and 0.4-0.5 thickness originally. (don't like the look of gussets)

 

[Bret]

Sweet build Bret love the wood look If i need gussets, can i add simply another beam in middle?(as image shown) or use lagger steel like 2x2?
I was planing to use 2x2 and 0.4-0.5 thickness originally. (don't like the look of gussets)

Adding the mid span cross piece will certainly help, but still leaves you vulnerable to the worst case failure scenario, which would be a side load causing the whole structure to "rack" or fold over on itself. I wouldn't use that extra beam simply because it will limit access.
If you don't like the gusseted look, you could use rectangular tubing instead of square and get a similar benefit. 1.5X2.5, or 1.5x3.0 (Whichever is available) would work just fine.

2" 0.5" wall tubing would be more appropriate for a 4000 gallon tank than a 40 gallon tank, you would just be adding unnecessary weight and expense.

 

[Fishess]

And if i use something like this? (image) Does that work? Front all open 1.5"x1.5" and 0.4 thickness?

 

[Bret]

And if i use something like this? (image) Does that work? Front all open 1.5"x1.5" and 0.4 thickness?

Yes, that configuration would work great, just make sure you have room for your plumbing if you are running an external overflow with a sump..
0.4 thickness is way overkill; 0.120 will be plenty strong. If you want the piece of mind of saying it is overbuilt you could go to .180 wall (3/16"), but would be completely unnecessary.

 

[Fishess]

Just made 3D real life scale. So it will look like this > And how much could it hold, if it's made from 1.5" and 0.4 thick? I really don't need something in middle front? Like i said, i have no clue how strong it will be

 

[Bret]

Just made 3D real life scale. So it will look like this > And how much could it hold, if it's made from 1.5" and 0.4 thick? I really don't need something in middle front? Like i said, i have no clue how strong it will be

Nice looking design!

using 0.4" wall thickness tubing, it would likely support multiple thousands of pounds. You only need to support 400-500 pounds for your 40 gallon tank. I would suggest the thinner material to save weight and cost. You would also need a pretty heavy duty welder to properly weld 0.4 thickness material.

With less than 30" between the columns, you do not need the center support in the front.

 

[Fishess]

Nice looking design!

using 0.4" wall thickness tubing, it would likely support multiple thousands of pounds. You only need to support 400-500 pounds for your 40 gallon tank. I would suggest the thinner material to save weight and cost. You would also need a pretty heavy duty welder to properly weld 0.4 thickness material.

With less than 30" between the columns, you do not need the center support in the front.

0.3 vs 0.4 there's only 28 pounds. Price wise almost same. Thanks for help <3

 

[Fishess]

And if i have a choice of going 1.5"x1.5" 0.4mm thick <OR> 2"x2" 0.3mm which would be better? (Same price and weight)

 

[Rick.45cal]

You guys are talking different units. @Fishess is using metric and talking about mm’s and @Bret is using imperial and talking in inches.

@Fishess you need more like 3.175mm thick stock to equal what Bret is talking about. 0.3mm or 0.4mm is going to be WAY too thin and flimsy.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Why are you set on steel for a 40gal tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nice construction.

 

[Fishess]

You guys are talking different units. @Fishess is using metric and talking about mm’s and @Bret is using imperial and talking in inches.

@Fishess you need more like 3.175mm thick stock to equal what Bret is talking about. 0.3mm or 0.4mm is going to be WAY too thin and flimsy.

xD yup i just now noticed that, i really ducked it up xD 1/8" inches it would be 3.175mm.. So what would be better 1/8" or 1/6" ( 3mm or 4mm) thick? And 1.5" or 2" tubes? I meant to say 0.3 0.4 CMs not MMs my bad.

 

[Fishess]

Why are you set on steel for a 40gal tank?

Could go wood, but price wise wood will cost me more.. So yeah steel ftw

 

[Rick.45cal]

xD yup i just now noticed that, we really ducked it up xD 1/8" inches it would be 3.175mm.. So what would be better 1/8" or 1/6" ( 4mm or 3mm) thick? And 1.5" or 2" tubes? I meant to say 0.3 0.4 CMs not MMs my bad.

good to know just trying to keep you out of trouble

 

[Fishess]

good to know just trying to keep you out of trouble

You said i should go 3mm, but what tube size? 1.5" as Bret said or 2"

 

[Bret]

You said i should go 3mm, but what tube size? 1.5" as Bret said or 2"

This makes so much more sense now haha. Was wondering why you were so insistent on going so think.

1.5" 0.120" wall (38mm 3mm wall) will be plenty strong.

 

[Fishess]

This makes so much more sense now haha. Was wondering why you were so insistent on going so think.

1.5" 0.120" wall (38mm 3mm wall) will be plenty strong.

yeah 0.4" inches thats 1cm-10mm thick, that would be so heavy!! Could park a mini car on it?
115 lbs (52kg) for 3mm VS 410 lbs (187kg) for 10mm thick xD 3.5 time the weight.

Will be going 4mm tought for 1.5" or maybe 2" tubes and 3mm thick.. Don't know witch better jet (same weight at end) Bigger tubing - more surface area, more strength no?
Because why not my wood stand was 2x times the weight anyways. Better safe than angry neighbors and in house pool.

 

[Fishess]

Will be adding 3x wood shelves in middle on chains, that will be attached inside of top frame 4 corners. Will look sweet.