Metal Aquarium Stand - Consideration for Wavebox 6215

[cha0s]

Hi Roger / Everyone

I have a 300 Gallon Tank (72" x 36" x 27"). The glass is 5/8" (15mm) Starphire. The tank is built with cleats around the bottom and 4" Eurobracing on the top. There are no cross bracing.

The stand is 2" metal tubular. Professionally welded. There is a middle leg. Six legs in total. Average span is 3 feet. No corner bracing.

Assuming a professional build with minimal defects:

First question - Would you consider the tank to be of adequate strength for the opperation of the wavebox?

Second question - Would you consider the stand to be of adequate strength for the opperation of the wavebox?

Third question - Would the addition of corner bracing on the stand to counter against the oscillating nature of the weight distribution be necessary, optional or a waste of money.

Note: I have opinions around all three questions, but I don't want to influence your suggestions without hearing them first.

Thanks!!

 

[rvitko]

1) I have a 210 at home and it is 3/4" starfire but with no bracing at all, this would be my preferred as it has held up well and seems solid and height and length is the same. I would want 3/4". The main determinant of seam strength is surface area.

2) If it was built as a box, i.e, the legs had a span of 2" tube between them at the floor as well.

3) I would gusset the legs, I would do this because it costs almost nothing more and it gives a good surface to bolt on decorative front panels. I would just use 1/4" plate for these gussets, they will help reinforce against sway and are probably overkill but it won't cost much and if you put a nice panel on it they will be very useful as they are easier to drill and bolt on to.

 

[cha0s]

Thank you very much for your response!

In regards to the stand, it does have 2" tubular steel between all of the legs on the bottom. As you say "it is built like a box" (or a double box).

The stand is already built, but the tank is not yet in opperation. Depending on who I ask, the gussets or corner bracing are either necessary or overkill. The builder thought that were overkill and didn't recommend them. His logic was easier access and if they aren't necessary, why bother.

As the stand has already been powder coated and has been delivered, adding the gussets would be somewhat costly and a real PITA. However, I am not much of a risk taker and had concluded that I had to add these for structural support.

I know yours is just an opinion amongst many others, but it is a respected opinion. Any risks I take are my own.

I would rather accept the stand as being structurally sound, but if I need to reinforce it, now is the best time to do this.

It sounds like you don't think it is necessary?

Thanks again!

 

[rvitko]

I don't think it is critical. It would be nice though, 2" square tube should be very strong.