Steel Stand: input appreciated.

[KJAG]

Doing a couple different builds within the next few months, one at a friends shop, and two at the house.

Just a question regarding material thickness that guys are using on steel tubing: Ill need roughly 90' of square tubing for the first stand, but unsure on material thickness. I don't mind over designing, but don't want to be wasteful. Is 3/16 considered overkill on the thickness? The tubing will be 1.5" throughout. Could even go 2", but not sure if its necessary. The tank dimensions for this first stand will be 72LX36WX16H.

Any thoughts appreciated.


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[backpack]

Ultimately it depends on the load. So you would need the weight of the tank, water, sump, sump water capacity, and rock. Glass is a lot heavier than acrylic. If its only a 180 instead of a 300 you may be going a little overboard. I used 2" angle on my 180 with a 50 gallon sump and that was way overkill.

 

[Bartmmackey]

As an interior designer, with a brother as a blacksmith and wife as product manager...why wouldn't you run the loads and provide them with your fabricator. I would trust them implicitly.

 

[KJAG]

Ultimately it depends on the load. So you would need the weight of the tank, water, sump, sump water capacity, and rock. Glass is a lot heavier than acrylic. If its only a 180 instead of a 300 you may be going a little overboard. I used 2" angle on my 180 with a 50 gallon sump and that was way overkill.

Thanks, estimated the load at roughly 2000 lbs for the tank, water, rock etc. There'll be minimal rockwork in the display.

As an interior designer, with a brother as a blacksmith and wife as product manager...why wouldn't you run the loads and provide them with your fabricator. I would trust them implicitly.

Welding skill and load/ mathematical calculation abilities aren't always synonymous. Whether I'm going to the Doctor, buying a vehicle or having a tank stand welded together I like getting second or third opinions. I trust my buddy who is a welder by trade, but its good to hear other hobbyists feedback

 

[Aquaph8]

1-1/2" tubing is plenty, you want to go 1/8" which is 11 gauge.

 

[KJAG]

1-1/2" tubing is plenty, you want to go 1/8" which is 11 gauge.

Sweet, was hoping 1/8" would be no problem. Takes about 100 lbs off the weight of the stand.


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[KJAG]

Thanks for the rec's guys.
Got it back from the powdercoaters today. Went with 1/8" tubing and had some threaded weld-nuts(8) welded in beneath the vertical beams to keep it level. Thanks again.

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[Aquaph8]

Really nice, looks perfect!

 

[Clearwater]

Nice job. Looks killer


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[KJAG]

Really nice, looks perfect!

Not my skills but thanks
Thanks for the reassurance on 11 gauge. This things solid. 3/16" would've been overkill for sure.


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[KJAG]

Nice job. Looks killer


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Thanks bro


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[AZDesertRat]

When I skinned a steel stand I had constructed for a friend I had the welder tack on L brackets in strategic locations so I could fasten the Oak skin on using carriage bolts hidden behind the trim boards and wing nuts from the inside. Made it great for getting sumps and equipment in and out and for maintenance access.

220 G Complete Reef Set Up For Sale - Reef Central Online Community

 

[KJAG]

When I skinned a steel stand I had constructed for a friend I had the welder tack on L brackets in strategic locations so I could fasten the Oak skin on using carriage bolts hidden behind the trim boards and wing nuts from the inside. Made it great for getting sumps and equipment in and out and for maintenance access.

220 G Complete Reef Set Up For Sale - Reef Central Online Community

That looks clean. Nice work.
This stand will prob just be left as is,( aside from a table-top installed to distribute the weight), but ill prob do the L brackets on the stands for the house. Nice idea


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