Welding A Tank Stand

[logiktest]

Does anyone know how to calculate the thickness and size of tubing against wieght for a fishtank stand? I want a stand that measures approximately 72"L x 30"D x 48"T and will support about 3000 pounds on it's top. At first glance, 2"x2" tubing 1/4" thick seemed like it would do the trick, but I really have no clue about it. Any help would be appriciated.

 

[MayoBoy]

I do drawings for a guy in NYC and that's exactly what he uses for his stands. We also use 2" angle continuous at the bottom to tie everything together. For that size, I'd space them every 12" min.

Are you going to skin it with wood?

 

[logiktest]

Mayo, are you saying that you use the angle on the very bottom to tie the four bottom corners together? Would you suggest this for the top as well? I guess I don't understand what your using every 12" (cross bracing?). Would you please be so kind as to show me an example?

I had not planned to skin it anytime soon because it will sit behind a wall and only have one side exposed. However, I have a few sheets of 3/4" birch ply and I could use one of them to skin the exposed face of the stand for now. Later on down the road if I decide that I would like to use the stand as a peninsula/room divider or something else it would be nice to be able to skin the entire stand. I did not intend to use a skin to add structural integrity though.

 

[MayoBoy]

2x2 tubing for the corners and every foot for legs and cross bars. 2x2 tubing continuous around the top and angle continuous around the bottom (to disperse the weight and avoid point loads). If you'll post or PM your email address, I can send you an AutoCAD file or a PDF of the drawings.

The skin is strictly ornamental and not needed for structure, but I'd probably add a few diagonals to brace it.

 

[logiktest]

Thanks! PM sent.