stand recommendations

[Sparkss]

We were originally going to go with a metal stand for our new tank, but our new tank just grew to a much bigger size . Now we are faced with deciding if building it metal is worth the extra trouble ?

the tank has a 76" X 48" footprint with the stand being roughly 40" tall (the floor elevation between the display room and tank room is different, hence the extra height). One of our main concerns is that after we get it built (we have friends with welders also ) then getting to the powdercoater. It will neither be small nor light, making transporting it quite the chore. True, we could rent a trailer and enlist a few friends to help load it for delivery to the powdercoater (I would assume that they would have no issue with powdercoating something that size). Then renting the trailer again for bringing it home. Is that hassle worth a metal versus wooden stand ?

Any advice or feedback is welcomed

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

Powdercoating something massive may be a problem. Not to say no one can do it, but you may have to drive a long way. Powder coat is great, but I think there are plent of other paints that would work well too. Epoxy paints or auto paints are quite durable, and many of the enamels are too. It depends on the type of finish you're looking for.

 

[rafael13]

spray-on bed linner

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

heh.. if that's the rough and rugged finish you have in mind! haha. I used to be a painter for a manufacturing facility, and the enamels I sprayed were very durable, not quite bed liner, but not quite as pretty as good powder coating.

 

[Sparkss]

in wall so I don't care as much about pretty as I do about durable. Basically need to find that middle ground between durable and ease of application (and cost of application also). Seems like going with a metal stand and enamel or epoxy coating/painting it is the way to go....

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

I'd say so. If you need help spraying anything, I'd be happy to help. Perhaps I missed it on another thread, but what is the volume of this tank?

 

[dots]

The only "Real" reason to go to a metal stand is for an industrial or open look. Perhaps if you are plumbing everything into another room and had a small box covering your plumbing as it enters and exists the wall.

An advantage I could see to using metal versus wood frame and then facing it with hardwood ply and trimming it out would gain interior volume of the stand. For instance you are trying to cram a mongo sump under it and the wood stands you have seen do not allow the access you need.

I suppose the real question is WHY are you considering one? Is it out of consideration of Form or Function?

Granted, a stainless steel stand and hood with polished doors would look great in a contemporary sleek house or if you have a spanish style with alot of wrought iron and want a open stand as previously mentioned.

However, you failed to mention to key points in consideration of which material to go with: The tank itself (size) and how it is trimmed and the room in which it is going into and the style of the house in general.

There are pros and cons of each material, however, it appears at this time wood would be a better option for you logisitcally speaking, and something that you may be able to do yourself.

What was your original thought of why you wanted to use metal rather than wood? What "look" where you going for?

 

[dots]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7865749#post7865749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparkss
in wall so I don't care as much about pretty as I do about durable. Basically need to find that middle ground between durable and ease of application (and cost of application also). Seems like going with a metal stand and enamel or epoxy coating/painting it is the way to go....

If its in wall I suggest using wood so you can tie it into the existing wall without any problems. Easier also

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7865844#post7865844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pepe.king.prawn
I'd say so. If you need help spraying anything, I'd be happy to help. Perhaps I missed it on another thread, but what is the volume of this tank?

It is Bigred's 380

 

[Sparkss]

Sacrementodots,

The only real reason was strength and durability. With the smaller tank it seemed reasonable, but with this bigger tank we started considering wood. It will all come down to cost, measured in both time as well as dollars, since both options appear to have our main concerns covered (the strength and durability ones).

I do know that wood will require more supports, but since I was not really planning to put anything under the tank stand, it is not really an issue. But as with all things, this too may change