Steel Tank-Stand Builders?
- Thread starter tbone28
- Start date
I know people around here, but the shipping would be terrible. How large a tank are you looking at?
If you know srtucturally what you want, draw it up and take it around to some small fabrication shops. It is a pretty easy deal for them and most shops will set you up with powder coating also.
If you need direction on the structure, ask here, RC seems to be an endless resource.
If you know srtucturally what you want, draw it up and take it around to some small fabrication shops. It is a pretty easy deal for them and most shops will set you up with powder coating also.
If you need direction on the structure, ask here, RC seems to be an endless resource.
tbone28
Active member
Thanks for your response.
I'm setting up a 180g (probably AGA 180g Reef-Ready). Footprint is 72.5"L x 24.5". I'd like the top of the stand to be 34.5". I plan on placing a 4ft sump under inside the stand, and the only access to the area under the stand will be front access (the tank will be sandwiched by 2 pantries). I also plan on using the EuroReef RS250 in-sump skimmer, which stands 30" tall. With possible cross bracing in the bottom of the stand, I'm not sure if I'll have the head room required for this skimmer.
I don't know what I want done structurally, which is why I'd prefer someone with experience design and make it for me. Which forum here is good for this type of question?
sidewinder770
New member
That stand looks awfully familiar 
. Like he said- most local welding places can do it for ya if you have the measurements. I'm sure theere are some local reefers that would help you out as well.
. Like he said- most local welding places can do it for ya if you have the measurements. I'm sure theere are some local reefers that would help you out as well.
tbone28
Active member
OK, so all I need to do is walk into a metal fabricator and tell them I need a steel stand built for a 6'x2' tank with dimensions of xyz, and it needs to be able to support 2000+ pounds? And they'll know how to design it to support that weight?
Do you know what I should expect to pay (ballpark)? I'd also like the stand powdercoated.
Thanks
Do you know what I should expect to pay (ballpark)? I'd also like the stand powdercoated.
Thanks
:rollface: It should look familiar. I did my best to copy your stand, and lots of your other great ideas!!!:rollface:<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9655553#post9655553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sidewinder770
That stand looks awfully familiar
Take some pics from some of these threads with steel stands with you to the welder. Don't forget to allow room for sump install and access doors.
tbone28
Active member
So here's my dilemma. My stand will be 6' long. Of all the stand pics I've seen so far, the stand normally has at least one vertical beam supporting the front of the stand.
I'm planning a 48"x18"x24" sump, and I will only have front access to the area under the stand.
I'd like to design the stand where I can place and remove the sump if necessary. It seems like the vertical support beam is located at the center point.
Any ideas on a design?
I'm planning a 48"x18"x24" sump, and I will only have front access to the area under the stand.
I'd like to design the stand where I can place and remove the sump if necessary. It seems like the vertical support beam is located at the center point.
Any ideas on a design?
sidewinder770
New member
If you're planning on a 180g tank I'd think you could just beefup the front suport beam and you'd be fine. A 6' long main horizontal beam with corner braces (like you see in the first pic above) should be OK. Maybe have the corner braces longer to help spread the load. I'd use something along the lines of 1/8" wall or even 3/16" wall square tube steel for the main front beam. Keep in mind our tanks are 8' long and weigh a lot more so that makes a big difference. I used 1.5"x1.5" square tube except the main front beam which was 1.5" x 3" rectangular tube. I can't remember off the top of my head what the steel thickness was for the rest of the stand but the front main beam was 1/8"
sidewinder770
New member
Dang man.....3/16 wall on the whole thing!!! And I thought I went overboard 
I went through similar questions, check out thread here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1064496
Here is a quick drawing that should come close to your plan, dim as required. 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8" wall tube should work fine for all parts but the 4' front span. Going to 3/16" or 2"x2" tube should cover that. On mine, I used 1 1/2" angle for the cross bracing, not tube.
Hope it helps.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1064496
Here is a quick drawing that should come close to your plan, dim as required. 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1/8" wall tube should work fine for all parts but the 4' front span. Going to 3/16" or 2"x2" tube should cover that. On mine, I used 1 1/2" angle for the cross bracing, not tube.
Hope it helps.
tbone28
Active member
Thanks for all the info thus far. Please keep it coming. I'm learning!
Update: My local LFS obtained a quote for me on a stand. This is the email I received:
"Hi, I received a quote back from the company that made our cylinder frame, but it seems a bit high. It would be $3984 plus freight. This is a frame only, made with 1/4" x 3" x 3" square tubing with 6 stainless steel leveling feet. Powdercoated the color of your choice."
I do want the leveling feet on the stand. From what you guys have built, it seems the quoted stand may be overkill for my tank? And the price...WOW!!! How much should I expect to pay?
Do you guys mind sharing the cost of your stand build, and whether it was a DIY or done through a fabricator?
In regards to the bottom of the stand, I see that many have horizontal braces there. Do you place a piece of plywood (or other material) on top of the braces, so you have a flat surface to place your sump?
rwrussom: I think the design of your stand may fit my desire to be able to directly place a 4' sump. I understand your stand is 4' long. How wide is that center opening? I'm thinking I can build a 6' tank in the same proportion. I also like the fact that there is no horizontal brace on the bottom. This allows me to place the sump directly on the floor. As you stated, the 30" skimmer probably can't fit. I may have to go with the RS180 (24"). But the lack of the bottom brace may give me that extra room to squeeze in the skimmer.
So you feel the cross braces make the stand strong enough to not require the bottom horizontal brace?
Update: My local LFS obtained a quote for me on a stand. This is the email I received:
"Hi, I received a quote back from the company that made our cylinder frame, but it seems a bit high. It would be $3984 plus freight. This is a frame only, made with 1/4" x 3" x 3" square tubing with 6 stainless steel leveling feet. Powdercoated the color of your choice."
I do want the leveling feet on the stand. From what you guys have built, it seems the quoted stand may be overkill for my tank? And the price...WOW!!! How much should I expect to pay?
Do you guys mind sharing the cost of your stand build, and whether it was a DIY or done through a fabricator?
In regards to the bottom of the stand, I see that many have horizontal braces there. Do you place a piece of plywood (or other material) on top of the braces, so you have a flat surface to place your sump?
rwrussom: I think the design of your stand may fit my desire to be able to directly place a 4' sump. I understand your stand is 4' long. How wide is that center opening? I'm thinking I can build a 6' tank in the same proportion. I also like the fact that there is no horizontal brace on the bottom. This allows me to place the sump directly on the floor. As you stated, the 30" skimmer probably can't fit. I may have to go with the RS180 (24"). But the lack of the bottom brace may give me that extra room to squeeze in the skimmer.
So you feel the cross braces make the stand strong enough to not require the bottom horizontal brace?
tbone - the drawing I threw out at you was modified for your tank. The front opening anticipates a 4' opening. I left off the dim for you to fill in.
Mine was different, altough it was for a 6', 225 gal tank. Mine will be a peninsula (room divider) with no equipment under the tank. My great concerns were movement in a quake so mine is also tied back into the house framing. It is also 44" high and I was concerned with overturning.
I laid 1/4" cork and the 3/4" ply down under the stand. If you have the option to bolt into the floor, that is the way to go.
I paid $500.00, w/o powdercoating or leveling feet. My highest quote was $650.00 inc coating.
$4K, LOL, Ill do it for half that and help you carry it in
Mine was different, altough it was for a 6', 225 gal tank. Mine will be a peninsula (room divider) with no equipment under the tank. My great concerns were movement in a quake so mine is also tied back into the house framing. It is also 44" high and I was concerned with overturning.
I laid 1/4" cork and the 3/4" ply down under the stand. If you have the option to bolt into the floor, that is the way to go.
I paid $500.00, w/o powdercoating or leveling feet. My highest quote was $650.00 inc coating.
$4K, LOL, Ill do it for half that and help you carry it in
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