Steel Stand Integrity of My Design?

[Dustin1300]

First time posting on the site but have had a couple local club members recommend the site so I'm here and I'm a reefaholic

I'm currently working on a 600 Gallon Display Tank I'm building (96"X48"X30") and tank was never set up but came with stand. I think the stand needs a bit more beef to it and would really appreciate opinions of others on whether they think this is up to snuff. If I had a program that I could test the structural integrity I would, but don't have that luxury!

Stand is all 2"X2" square tube and would guess that it's 1/4" wall thickness. Center support under stand has 2 1.5"X1.5" tubes stacked on one another and tacked together. I think I need additional support for the large distance without vertical support to ensure I don't have too much deflection and I also need gussets for any racking/twisting. Below are some pics of what I'm working with and two models I'm considering. I'd prefer the one without all the additional vertical supports so I can have easy access from the back since it is in-wall...But if it's not good enough, I'm willing to listen.

Tank/Stand in it's current state and second is of when I water tested it when I bought it:

Current Stand Dimensions/Details:

Preferred stand Model #1. All red components are added steel that I'd like to add. Backside:

Model #1 underside:

Model #2. Much more vertical support but would only give me 21" between each support for access. Backside:

Model #2. Frontside:

I appreciate any feedback you may have! oh:

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Roughly for a 600 you will be handling 5007 pounds. No problem at all for the 2” square support, assuming the following:
1) The concrete where it sits will be minimum 4” thick, if the integrity of the concrete fails your tank will have a problem.
2) The stand is perfectly straight and leveled.
3) Welding integrity

You can also see at the link below the 5k pounds is no problem at all for 2” tubing.


Speedy Metals Information for Structural Steel Square & Rectangular Tube

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Roughly for a 600 you will be handling 5007 pounds. No problem at all for the 2” square support, assuming the following:
1) The concrete where it sits will be minimum 4” thick, if the integrity of the concrete fails your tank will have a problem.
2) The stand is perfectly straight and leveled.
3) Welding integrity

You can also see at the link below the 5k pounds is no problem at all for 2” tubing.


Speedy Metals Information for Structural Steel Square & Rectangular Tube

4" will crack, so go at least 1-2' deep, but anyways, steel is crazy strong, you should be okay, but I would add some triangles to the corners.

 

[Dustin1300]

What's funny is everyone here seems to be worried about the concrete and not the stand. Am I crazy in thinking that the stand needs more support for what I expect will have a descent amount of deflection? I definitely know and think it needs gussets to prevent any racking, so you all believe I'm being a little anal retentive?

As far as the concrete, I've not even thought about it I just unscrewed a floor drain and I've got a little over 4" of concrete slab. 1-2 feet, really?

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

What's funny is everyone here seems to be worried about the concrete and not the stand. Am I crazy in thinking that the stand needs more support for what I expect will have a descent amount of deflection? I definitely know and think it needs gussets to prevent any racking, so you all believe I'm being a little anal retentive?

As far as the concrete, I've not even thought about it I just unscrewed a floor drain and I've got a little over 4" of concrete slab. 1-2 feet, really?

Maybe a little excessive for 5000 lbs, when I dig foundations for loli coumns, it must be a 2' cube or bigger. Way more psi though. I will take that back

 

[Young Frankenstein]

What's funny is everyone here seems to be worried about the concrete and not the stand. Am I crazy in thinking that the stand needs more support for what I expect will have a descent amount of deflection? I definitely know and think it needs gussets to prevent any racking, so you all believe I'm being a little anal retentive?

As far as the concrete, I've not even thought about it I just unscrewed a floor drain and I've got a little over 4" of concrete slab. 1-2 feet, really?

There is many types of concrete, the most common on construction sites and warehouses that store mega pallets up to 30’ high, thousands upon thousands of pounds and forklifts all day long, is 3500 psqi concrete. That’s industrial and commercial concrete, if you mix it yourself I would go about 12” just to be safe, also don’t forget compaction J

 

[Dustin1300]

So does everyone think the 4" of slap will support the tank?

I just did weight calculations and at 94.5"X46.25"X28" (Inside tank dimensions) and that comes out to 4,423 lbs + the weight of the stand and acrylic so it'd likely be ~5000 lbs total. That's on a 32 sq ft piece of 4" slab so if I can find the appropriate calculator, I should have a much better idea.

 

[Aquaph8]

I think your good all around. Adding some gussets to the corners for racking support is probably a good idea though. If I was going to beef it up at all I would take out the center support and evenly space two back in. 1/4" thick steel is stronger than you think, just make sure the welds are decent. Everyone of the stands Ive seen built by aquaium companies didn't even have gussets. Steel stands look wimpy compared to wood build ones but they are really so much stronger.

 

[Dustin1300]

This is the problem I keep running into. I compare to some of the wooden stands I've built using 2X6s and steel just does looks like such a minimal structure!

Any comment on the concrete? I've been doing a lot of work with this project and have to say, this might be a final stamp of denial from the significant other if tearing up the concrete floor is the only option.

 

[Aquaph8]

I think your concrete is fine too.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Saw cut about 2’ over, compact and redo the concert with 3500 psig

 

[Dustin1300]

I think your concrete is fine too.

Guess I've just got to triple check it all out....

 

[Dustin1300]

Saw cut about 2’ over, compact and redo the concert with 3500 psig

Easier said than done. I'll be putting the tank close to the column where the ladder is resting below. (Picture of my fish room sill under construction)

 

[Aquaph8]

Your skimmer stand may be another issue though :laugh:. I jealous of the fish room, that'll be really great.

 

[Dustin1300]

Your skimmer stand may be another issue though :laugh:. I jealous of the fish room, that'll be really great.

Will be great once it's all done As you can see the electrical is currently ran via extension cord, awaiting a 100 amp panel to be installed so I can put several different circuits in place!

 

[Young Frankenstein]

I would like to know how long it takes you to drill a hole ¼” using a hammer drill on that concrete, the room looks awesome by the way, and the concrete looks clean and freshly painted. How old is the concrete ?

 

[Dustin1300]

I would like to know how long it takes you to drill a hole ¼†using a hammer drill on that concrete, the room looks awesome by the way, and the concrete looks clean and freshly painted. How old is the concrete ?

Don't know but I'll see if I have a 1/4" bit and set it on hammer and see how long it takes:wink:

Room has been great and amazing how fast you run out of space! As far as age, house is about 8 years old so concrete is likely ~9 years old and it's freshly painted with 2 part concrete speckled paint I used to clean up the room.

Here's a pic of it before I acid washed and painted everything shortly after I moved in if that helps:

 

[Degener8]

All the newer construction I have seen has a minimum 4+ slab.. its more likely it is 6" thick. I think your fine personally I would gusset the corners as forget about it. Your fish room looks great so far. Good luck with the tank I'm sure it will turn out sweet with all the care your putting into this.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

I think you are just fine just make sure all is leveled.

 

[Dustin1300]

Frankenstein, I picked up a 1/4" masonry bit on way home...Did two quick samples in the whereabouts where the stand will be and they are between 4-4.5" and took ~50-55 seconds to drill with a new bit and my Dewault hammer drill

Now you all think I'll be fine? Do you realize how much I've been stressing about this? I've sent specs on everything I have with weights, concrete slab depth, and models to two engineers and an architect!