Stand question for large acrylic tank

[Giovanni]

I just purchased a used 330g acrylic tank 96x30x30. Sides and top are 3/4 in. Bottom is 1/2 inch. The stand is 1.5 inch square steel. Supporting the full 96x30 bottom parameter. There is also cross braces on the 30" span every 16" on center.

Potential problems:

There is 1/64 droops on the 96" side between the center leg and the corner legs.
There is not full support on the entire bottom.

My solution thoughts. 1/2 ply to support the entire bottom. 1/2 construction foam under the tank to compensate for the 1/64 droop and other possible squaring issues.

What do you guys/girls think?

 

[moondoggy4]

I think your idea will work great Are you going to powder-coat it. I would buy some higher quality ply wood maybe Marine grade does better when it gets wet doesn't warp as bad or fast. It usually comes in 5 foot squares.

 

[madean]

Yeah your idea should work. Use a good quality wood and probably put some kills on it to help with the water issues. Don't spray the foam with a spray can if you paint it because it eats the foam. Its pretty straight forward to skin the steel stand. It would be smart of you to knock off the rust and at least put some kind of a coat of paint on it. Would be smart to powder coat it. But at the bare minimum get that rust off of the stand .

 

[on the spot]

I just purchased a used 330g acrylic tank 96x30x30...There is not full support on the entire bottom...

How did the original owner have it set up? I'd replicate that. There may be slight "bulges" on the bottom if there was just foam previously. Perhaps James (Acrylics) would offer the best advice on this subject.

Best of luck with the new tank.

And thanks again for the Vortech hotwire.

 

[Giovanni]

The original owner had 3/4 ply only under the tank and no foam. I am going to wire brush the stand and paint. I will be covering the stand so only concerned with keeping the rust under control.


Thanks

 

[azjohnny]

I have a similar tank and stand only mine is a 180, I used Rustoluem paint, they use chrome in the pain to resist moisture.

I had tried 1/2' MDF originally and didnt like the results, so I got some 3/4" plywood and 3/4 insulating foam, I got both products from Home Depot and they cut both for me at the store. I didnt paint the plywood and its been fine

 

[MONSTERUP]

i used truck bed liner to coat the stand.they sell it at auto parts store.

 

[Dadekster]

I could probably park my truck on that stand and it'd be fine. Coat it as you said you would and after that biggest thing is make sure the tank is completely flat and stable. Keep a level on it as you fill it but the foam should be good for keeping it level. Congrats, that's a nice stand.