Longest span between support for steel stand

[nightOwl]

I am thinking of going with a steel stand this go around. Stand will be roughly 82" L x 42" W x 41" H. The tank will be 78" L x 40" W x 28" H I have a pretty large sump I will put under the tank but was trying to avoid having too many bars going vertically. I started playing in sketch up but still have some work to do. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

I was planning on using 1.5" steel with 1/8" thickness.

I will also need to break this into two parts so any input on where is a good place to break would be greatly appreciated as well.

Top

Side

Potential Side

Supports

Thanks in advance

 

[FamilyTank]

I like what you have. If you don't what about a 'bear with me the words aren't forming at the brain or finger tips'. Oh,hell. How about a ladder turned on its side acrosa the top front? Tressel? Instead of verticals there built 45° triangles. Sorry for maybe the most jacked up post ever...lol

 

[Gorgok]

I would double (vertically) up the horizontal bars on the long sides at least, or use rectangle tubing. And if you don't need access from the back a middle support there shouldn't be an issue.

You didn't say if this is a glass or acrylic tank, or trimless or not if glass. Both will change how stiff the top really needs to be, and how much flex would matter.

 

[nightOwl]

I like what you have. If you don't what about a 'bear with me the words aren't forming at the brain or finger tips'. Oh,hell. How about a ladder turned on its side acrosa the top front? Tressel? Instead of verticals there built 45° triangles. Sorry for maybe the most jacked up post ever...lol

I would double (vertically) up the horizontal bars on the long sides at least, or use rectangle tubing. And if you don't need access from the back a middle support there shouldn't be an issue.

You didn't say if this is a glass or acrylic tank, or trimless or not if glass. Both will change how stiff the top really needs to be, and how much flex would matter.

Gorgok and FamilyTank,
I am going to try to incorporate some of the feedback you guys have given and redesign my stand a bit. I found out that the type of tubing will help determine how long the span can be for example rectangle vs square. I plan on revamping to use rectangle for the top supports and maybe the legs. This stand will be behind a wall and the only skin may be on the top (3/4 plywood and maybe 1/2 on the front). I have to check again how much space I have from the wall to the lip of the opening. The tank will be 3/4 starfire glass and measures 78" L x 40" w x 28" h. Oh and it will be euro-braced.

 

[FamilyTank]

Rectangular, is definitely a benefit. Running a 2nd horizontal just across the front and tacking them together is also beneficial.

 

[thewbell]

It might be worth looking into using C channel instead of square/rectangular tubing for the top. You may find it more readily available and typically if you can keep it from twisting it is stronger for a given weight. Personally, I used C4x5.4 channel (because I had some) and it worked out great because it allowed me to install a 2x4 frame inside of the channel for mounting reactors and wiring.

Ultimately you need to find out how much deflection you can allow for and it is easy from there to do the calculation to figure out what you need instead of guessing.