Will this stand hold?

[MadsDK]

Hello.

I recently bought a used 70 gallon tank (300 liter) with a steel stand.

The tank is 1200 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm 300 liter. The stand is made of 50 x 50 mm steel and the stand it self measures: 1200 mm x 500 mm x 900 mm.

Do you think this stand will hold? The previous owner has been using it for 2 years without any problems but i just wanna be absolutely sure before i put water in the tank.

I have made a small drawing for you to see.

p.s. the stand is painted so no worries abut rust.

 

[MadsDK]

I forgot, 1200 mm x 500 mm x 900 mm ( L x D x H )

 

[MadsDK]

there must be an expert out there who can help :-D

 

[minix4242]

when you say 50mm x 50mm steel, do you mean square tubing? if so, the wall thickness is rather important. Unfortunately, you may not be able to tell unless there's an exposed joint. Another factor would be the connection method... is it welded? bolted? screwed? glued? Did the welder have any idea what they were doing or was this done by a backyard mechanic? what type of glue? what grade bolts?

too many factors... the main thing I would look at is the arrangement of the pieces of steel. they should be placed so gravity and the weight of the tank will push the joints together, not pull them apart. it's kinda tough to explain what I mean, but it you look at a top corner.... is the horizontal piece sitting on top of the vertical? if so, the tank's weight will reinforce the joint, not necessarily weaken it. If the top span is welded into the side of the upright, the tank's weight will try to break this apart.

2" square tubing is plenty strong enough to hold the tank and the car you brought it home in. If the stand isn't put together well it may not matter how strong the steel is though. If it wobbles around at all you probably don't want to use it without having someone weld some support brackets in. If the previous owner had a freshwater tank and you're planning a reef with a wavemaker, those are completely different stresses and it may not hold up to it.

Any pictures?

mike

 

[minix4242]

I had an afterthought when I reread the part about the paint... If it's powdercoated you'll be fine as is. Otherwise, I'd put a fresh coat of paint on it. You'd be amazed what saltwater can do in a very short time. all it takes is a little scratch for the salty humid air/mist to get a foothold and the next thing you know you're cursing the world as you shop-vac 70gal of water from you floor.

mn