stand builder wanted for large tank

[Sparkss]

I wanted to have a metal stand built versus building a wodden one myself. I always hear that the #1 reason for large tank failure is the stand.. and seeing that this tank has a 4' X 6.5' footprint, I am more than a little leary to chance building it myself. I know I could make one strong enough, but am concerned about making one "true" enough not to stress the seams on such a large tank. It will be in wall, so no facade or other type of wooden veeneer would be necessary. I am not asking for anything for free... I am more than willing to pay a fair price. I have already gotten a quote from SoCal creations for the stand (using both 1.5" and 2" square stock tube), so I know what it would cost me to have one made and shipped. Now I am looking locally to see what I can find (not to mention they are backlogged down there too). Not to mention wanting to keep our $$s local

The specifics are it is a 48"W by 78"L glass tank that will be going in wall, so function is more important than appearance. At this time I have no plans to place any filtration or circulation equipment under the stand (they are to be housed elsewhere), but having that option is never a bad thing.


Please let me know if anyone has the skills necessary to built the stand (and has the availablity )

P.S. If someone has the skills (and credentials/"resume") to built a wooden stand and is interested in talking to us about it, I am not closing my mind to anything.

 

[JHipkin]

Tom,

Try visiting a welding supply store. There is one in Concord just off Monument. I can get the specific address if you are interested. I replace my CO2 tank there. They are quite friendly so I'm sure they will make a reco for a qualified welder.

JHipkin

 

[Sparkss]

We are located out near the Delta, so we have a mixture of rural/urban areas that a dotted with weld shops. There is also a pretty big scrap yard here (that people from Concord/Pleasant Hill have been known to travel out to for steel stock). But I am really looking for someone with at least some aquarium experience, that maybe know of the additional challenges in dealing with aquariums. If I tell a regular welder that it needs to be 100% true, with no twisting at all, they may get it, or they may think "well, it just needs to be close enough to where he can't see that it is twisted" where as someone with aquarium experience would know that even a little flex could mean death to the tank.

But you are right, there are many weld shops, and the largest local Co2/weld supply store (PraxAir in Pittsburg) is more than happy to recommend qualified welders (at least the last time I talked to them they were ). That is my fall back option, if I can't find anyone with "reef" credentials

 

[xinumaster]

If you decide to order your steel stand from Randy in LA. Let me know. I think I'm getting close to ordering my tank and stand from him.

 

[Sparkss]

Even if we don't order at the same time, we could still ship together (if I order our stand from them). I have their quote and will be shopping around next week the local weld shops (while I am on vacation), that is if I don't settle on someone before then. Either way I will let you know

 

[GreshamH]

Mikeo1210 had one welded locally. Try contacting him.

 

[orientalexpress]

i'm have the same problem,actually i'm looking for someone to build the stand inside the house,since the stand i want wouldn't fit thru the door.

 

[Sparkss]

Luckily ours is going into the garage, but I still am thinking that it would be beneficial to have it built on site, since with that large a footprint I can guarantee variances in the level of the floor, not to mention that all garages (pretty much) have a tilt/slant to them to help drain any water out. But it is looking unlikely to actually be able to get it built on site. At least with a metal stand adjustable legs are a possibility (although they would need to be extremely beefy to hold the weight.. like maybe a 1 1/2" - 2" thread ).


Thanks Gresh, I sent him a PM

 

[Qwiv]

You probably not going to get someone to build it at your house unless you feel like spending way more money. The tools you need to bring into someones home just isn't practical. I use to make them for people in college and it was a real challange with portable tools. Plus, you should get a metal stand powder coated if there is any part of the stand you can't see. You can't powedercoat inside someones house.

I would level your floor with a leveling compound and get a stand fabricated off-site. To be honest, I think you would be better off with a wood stand, IMO.

 

[Sparkss]

Qwiv,

Thanks for sharing your insight an opinion. You actually gave me an idea that for some reason had not even occurred to me (and I don't know why not). There is a 3" lip/step at the front 5" of where the tank will sit, I was going to account for that with the stand, but if I just form it and pour/fill it at that level then I could go after a much less expensive (and easier to obtain) stand.

Now I need to do some research on what best/easiest materials there are to use for that purpose (and if I need to worry about rebar, etc for a 3" pad).

Thanks

 

[mikeo1210]

Wish I had better pictures of the finished product but.. think you'll get the idea.

I did some leg work and got this thing done on the cheap (as compared to having it all done at one place).

The metal I picked up at a large recycler's in San Jose.. most of the material I saw there was brand new or next to (just a litttle greasy). A lot of it is left overs from large jobs that didn't get used. Don't remember price per lb. but it was WAY cheaper then new stuff (~$100 for more then enough).

I found a welder locally to put it all together per my plans (another ~$100.. not that big of a challenge for any decent welder).

After picking up from there I drove it over to San Jose to a powder coater's (off Brokaw) and had it sanded and coated (~ one more Franklin).

All in all.. very pleased with it. Strong enough to park a small plane on and like I said can be had for very little dough (may just have to drive a little).

PM me again and I'll get you names of the places HTH

 

[GreshamH]

Need completed, fully stocked tank pics Mike

 

[mikeo1210]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8535566#post8535566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
If I tell a regular welder that it needs to be 100% true, with no twisting at all, they may get it, or they may think "well, it just needs to be close enough to where he can't see that it is twisted" where as someone with aquarium experience would know that even a little flex could mean death to the tank.

But you are right, there are many weld shops, and the largest local Co2/weld supply store (PraxAir in Pittsburg) is more than happy to recommend qualified welders (at least the last time I talked to them they were ). That is my fall back option, if I can't find anyone with "reef" credentials

IMHO I would be concerned first of all with getting strong enough material (1.5x2 or 2x2). It's beefy and pretty heavy with this stuff but you know w/o a doubt it's strong enough. I also wouldn't worry about being 110% true. Let them know that it's important to be level but keep in mind that a metal stand is overkill any way you look at it and WILL hold a tank + water + rocks + your whole family with EASE.

Get a real thick piece of ply to lay over the top and it will help w/ leveling.

 

[mikeo1210]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8543777#post8543777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Need completed, fully stocked tank pics Mike

Sorry you're gonna have to come over and see for yourself

Oh yea don't forget that product you promised :lol:

 

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8543880#post8543880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikeo1210
Sorry you're gonna have to come over and see for yourself

Oh yea don't forget that product you promised :lol:

:eek2: I totally forgot

 

[mikeo1210]

I'm just kidding man.. Here's the tank:

Sorry Tom.. little off topic.

 

[Sparkss]

no worries... I got a chuckle out of it

I got your PM, thanks for the info. SoCal creations quoted $670 (2" square stock tubing, powder coated) plus $150 for shipping. You seemed to have done it all for under $400, basically half of what SoCal was asking (after shipping), but then again you did alot of leg and design work yourself.

But I also don't have a pickup truck like you do and would have to rent a trailer each time I wanted to move anything around (metal stock to welder, stand to and from powder coaters, etc). But from a "plug and play" perspective I am wondering if the extra $$ are worth it to just get it from SoCal creations ? 8)

 

[mikeo1210]

Well.. FWIW I'd be happy to help with the plans.

If I were any closer to you I'd offter the truck too.

I did do some driving.. so yea factor that plus man hours. I'd say it was a little over 3 bills but I also *had* the time (then) to go run around all day picking up stuff for my fish tank

 

[Sparkss]

I appreciate the offer Mike, I am still undecided if I want to take on that additional work effort versus farming it out to SoCal Creations (although they do do very nice work). Right now I am leaning towards SoCal, but I still need to firm up a few items before I decide. Then I can focus on cutting the opening in the wall and forming/pouring the pad, so that it has plenty of time to cure.