Help a gal design a steel stand for a 280 gal

[Chihuahua6]

My husband's landlord for his business owns a steel company so we're going to have a steel stand built for my tank instead of my husband making one out of wood. I want to keep the center open underneath so I can easily fit any kind of sump under there as well as other equipment. The tank measures 75" x 30".

How can I design it to have the center open? How thick does the steel need to be? I have see lots of pics of steel stands but didn't pay much attention at the time. Now I can't find the pics so if anyone cares to post theirs I would appreciate it.

 

[Jar*Head]

Hello Amanda, here is picture of my metal stand. it is 103x48x42 tall using 3x3 1/4" thick wall square tubing. The stand comes in 6 pieces (top, bottom, 2 sides and 2 at the corner). Due to the width of my tank and the height of the stand i have to build it this way. The stand using 24 7/16 stainless steel screws to keep all pieces attached. i have plenty of space in the bottom for sump and equipment. My new sump is 72x40x20 i have not problem getting it inside the stand.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Wow! That is one strong looking stand. It looks expensive.
Do you have a build thread? The tank must be amazing. I want to see more.

 

[Jar*Head]

:lol: Amanda, i had a build thread but it no where to be found at this point...

 

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

Hears a 2 piece stand bolted together. Its 72x36x36 its the only way I could get it in a door of my house. lol You can only see a few bolts just to hold it together in the 2 pic. The front oak is liquid nailed to the stand. The sides screw in on the in side threw the wood fur to the oak.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Great idea to make it in pieces and bolt together. I like that you need less material than you do with wood. It's more expensive though and we would be paying for labor which we wouldn't if my husband builds it from wood. Decisions decisions.

My tank will be inwall and resting on the 6" wall. The stand will only need to be 24" wide and 75" long. I would like to keep the middle completely open if possible, no legs or anything.

 

[nauticac4]

I wouldnt rest the tank on the wall because the stand and wall will expand and contract at different rates and that could lead to a MAJOR problem. You can inset the legs 6" so that the stand holding the tank hangs over the wall but I would rest it on the wall. to go center support free you may want to consult with an engineer on the exact sizes that you'll need due to the length being spanned and the weight involved.
Also make sure the stand bolts together and is powdercoated, that way it will fit thorugh the doors in your house and it wont rust due to the water that is bound to spill.

 

[Chihuahua6]

Nautica thanks. That's very important info that I have never considered.
Wood is starting to look easier and easier. Maybe we can span it with laminated wood I beams?