Steel Tank-Stand Builders?

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9662059#post9662059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwrussom
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

Well, I certainly appreciate you modifying your drawing for me! It certainly fits my needs. I think I will bring that sketch into a welder (anyone know good ones in the Bay Area, CA?).

So you paid only $500??? And I'm being quoted $4000? :eek2:

Question about levelling feet: What is the long-term efficacy of these? Do they ever "loosen" and get out of level? I'm considering having levelling feet "just in case", but we are also redoing our floors.

The tank is going on the 1st floor, and we have a concrete slab foundation. We're retiling, so I am going to have the tile contractor level out the floor anyway. Do you see any need to still have levelling feet? I'm thinking yes, as I've read that the steel has inherent waves in it.

Thanks

 

[rwrussom]

A guy who can weld and a fabrication shop are different things. A fab shop has the proper setup and skills for the important things to us - square, plumb, level, etc.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9662256#post9662256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwrussom
A guy who can weld and a fabrication shop are different things. A fab shop has the proper setup and skills for the important things to us - square, plumb, level, etc.

Thanks for pointing that out. Now, I just to find a good fabricator...any recs?

You mention that you can have it built locally, and I can pay for freight? Is it the same guy who built your stand?

If I can't find a good fabricator locally, paying for freight may still be more cost-effective than ordering it through my LFS.

 

[rwrussom]

I am happy to help, but really you should not be able to throw a stone in the east bay without hitting a shop. Oakland on south have a lot of options. No recommendations, I have not done business in the bay area in over 10 years.

 

[sidewinder770]

Have you looked or posted anything in your local forum? I'm sure there are a few people that can help you out there. I'd certainly tell the guy that quoted you 4k to take a hike! for the kind of money you can buy a nice welder, all the steel and equipment needed, powdercoating and pay for a couple college courses in welding with a lot of beer money left over . That's just rediculous! I think when all was said and done I paid about $500 for mine including the welding, material and powdercoating.

 

[sidewinder770]

Also- 1/4" 3x3 is wayyyyyy over kill for that. 1/8" 1.5x1.5 is plenty if it's designed and welded correctly.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9662973#post9662973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sidewinder770
Also- 1/4" 3x3 is wayyyyyy over kill for that. 1/8" 1.5x1.5 is plenty if it's designed and welded correctly.

That's what I'm gathering, as these huge tanks I'm reading about don't go any bigger than 2"!

Wow, so this LFS is way expensive! I'll try the BAR forum as well. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ironsheikh]

all glass aquarium actually makes a steel stand by the way....I just saw a pic on someone's listing selling a 180 on ebay

 

[mflamb]

I have $760.00 in mine.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9662894#post9662894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwrussom
I am happy to help, but really you should not be able to throw a stone in the east bay without hitting a shop. Oakland on south have a lot of options. No recommendations, I have not done business in the bay area in over 10 years.

Can you PM me the contact info for the shop who built your stand? I'm not having any luck in our local forum for reputable fabricators.

Thanks

 

[Konadog]

Double post!

 

[Konadog]

Nice stands, here's mine:

I didn't want powder coating, I'll chip it in no time and it will rust. I had mine sprayed with Linex truck bed liner.

It deadens the sound that can resonate thru a steel stand also.

 

[nyvp]

I used 2x2x3/16th . I found a guy on craigslist that charges $30/hr and the whole thing cost me 900. took him 10 hrs about 600 for the steel and 300 for I didnt like the angle crosses so I went thicker on the steel

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9673468#post9673468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Nice stands, here's mine:

I didn't want powder coating, I'll chip it in no time and it will rust. I had mine sprayed with Linex truck bed liner.

It deadens the sound that can resonate thru a steel stand also.

Nice design. How wide is the center opening on your stand? Your design may also fit what I'm trying to do.

 

[Konadog]

Center opening is 38" wide. I did it this way because I wanted the doors in the middle with as much opening as I could do.

Most steel stands (including mine) are way over build, you could park a truck on them! What I like is the stability of them, they don't wobble like a wood stand.

 

[chaffey]

ken- nice stand who made the stand for you. I am going to buy a 450gal tank from John and I am looking for a steel stand to fit it.

tank is acrylic 96by36by30" tall

 

[Konadog]

A guy at work made it for me and I had it Linex'ed in Signal Hill.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9675731#post9675731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Center opening is 38" wide. I did it this way because I wanted the doors in the middle with as much opening as I could do.

Most steel stands (including mine) are way over build, you could park a truck on them! What I like is the stability of them, they don't wobble like a wood stand.

How long is your stand? I need a 48" center opening on mine.

Can you give me a contact number for LeeMar? I'd like to price out a 180g.

How much did it cost to Linex?

 

[Konadog]

My stand is 73" long, 31" wide, and 40" tall. I made it taller than most as I was tired of bending over to look at the tank, plus it gave me a ton of room under the tank to work on equipment.

I'll have to look for a LeeMar number, I purchased my tank from a friend.

As for the cost, I was lucky enough to know someone that worked there so it was sprayed at cost, which was still expensive. I believe he told me that it would have cost around $350 to $400.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9679853#post9679853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
My stand is 73" long, 31" wide, and 40" tall. I made it taller than most as I was tired of bending over to look at the tank, plus it gave me a ton of room under the tank to work on equipment.

I'll have to look for a LeeMar number, I purchased my tank from a friend.

As for the cost, I was lucky enough to know someone that worked there so it was sprayed at cost, which was still expensive. I believe he told me that it would have cost around $350 to $400.

Ken,

My stand will be 73" long as well. I may be able to adapt your design to fit my needs. BTW, what is the recessed area used for on the top of the stand? Overflow? Do you have a pic of your tank? I'd like to see the differences between an AGA and LeeMAR.

Thanks