wood vs metal stand

[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

 

[Qwiv]

I have a a few stands of both materials and have some experiance with them. It sounds like you are going to build this into a wall, is that correct? If you are not trying to accomplish a long span, then wood is the way to go. The only reasons I would use metal are when have a span that requires me using metal, as the depth of the wood member would be to great, or if it is in a shop enviroment and doesn't need to be pretty. I have metal stands in my workshop that where just esier to make out of metal, mostly because I can get the metal free. I also did not powder coat them as I can see every inch of the stand so I have no worries of a hidden water spot rusting the stand away. A few coated of white spray paint and they are done. If there was a rust spot, i would see it, and I don't have one yet. Few years going.

So, unless you are trying to clear span all 76", I would use wood. If you are trying to span the entire thing, I would go steel. You can design it so that it is in pieces and bolts together.

 

[Sparkss]

I have thought about the "bolt together" option, but am still considering all options. Thanks for the feedback and advice

 

[crazzyreefer]

GOD I HATE BOLT TOGEATHER! welds are stronger and take only minutes.... if I was to yes wood, then its laminated plywood using epoxy, its as strong as steel and almost as fast, just a little more mess. but no painting

 

[dswong01]

With something of that size I would get some structual/load calculations. You want to make sure its gonna hold the weight of the tank . You dont want to build then find out its wont hold the weight of the tank. Most reefer can get away with build their own stand because thier tank are small in comparison 75-150 gal. How the floor under neath the tank will it support it? Just some considerations.

 

[Sparkss]

concrete slab, so not really worried about floor load. The stand it is coming off of was wooden, and built by the reefer, again, not so much worried about that aspect of it

Thanks for the feedback.. keep it coming

 

[badpacket]

I would suggest engineersedge.com forum. They've got lots of structureal engineers, and I think there is a free load calculator/app they normally point people too. Mare Island in Vallejo has excellent prices on steel, new and used. This is a 500 gallon or so, so mabe 5000 with sand/rock, maybe make it 3 tons.

I would suggest that forum or maybe the RC DIY forum and look for an actual structural engineer for a project this large. I would pay someone some $$ to get a professional opinion, 3 tons if it ever came down could easily be fatal.

However, check this out, perfect! Either way though, I would go 1/4" steel.
http://www.engineersedge.com/wwwboard/posts/5165.html

BTW, did the anemone survive?

 

[tacocat]

Would a metal stand be able to fit through you door and make it through all of the necessary turns to get it to where it needs to go?

 

[Sparkss]

Fred,
Yes, the nem is alive and doing welll, one of our plating caps didn't fare so well, but we had other frags of that coral, so it is not lost to us. The oscis are already hosting in it fully now and it is out and nicely "bubble tipped"

tacocat,
It is going in the garage, so it just has to fit through the double car garage door . Also we are planning to build it in place, or at least in/near the garage

And to answer any load questions... again, it is going onto a concrete slab, in the garage, and yes, it is going to be in wall. The previous owner had it on a wooden stand for over a year without any issues, and that stand was just made up of 4x6's (I believe, I would need to doube check his build thread).

The main question is not really one of ability to hold the load, but more so of is a metal stand worth the extra hassle compared to jsut building a wooden stand in place.

I do have someone with a welder that has offerred to help put it all together, I just need to supply the metal. The challenge of sealing the stand afterwards is what I am trying to decide how best to handle. Obviously powdercoating is viewed as the best option (more or less) but there are several other options that have been suggested. Epoxy and/or enamel paints for one, which may be the way we go, regardless of if we go with a wooden or metal stand

Spray in bed liner was also suggested, and that may be a wy to go for a metal stand. But I had heard stories of it not being applied correctly and having trapped moisture between the liner and metal. But that was some time ago, so maybe that process has been refined to where that doesn't happen now

 

[Qwiv]

What are your requirements for getting under the stand? Can you take a pic of where it is going and how it is oriented. If you have a center post(s) (front to back and side to side) in your stand, building one out of wood would be really easy. If you don't want that, go metal. Sounds like it would be easy to install since you are in a garage.

 

[Sparkss]

Qwiv,

No plans to put/keep anything under the tank, so plenty of supports were going to be part of the "stand plan". Having the extra room would always be nice (who in the Bay Area wouldn't like a little more "space" ?), but it is not necessary for our tank plans. But yes, since it is in the garage, at least delivery would be very straight forward

Taking a picture of where it is going to go won't do much good right now.. that wall is still cluttered as I haven't had the time to clear it off yet.

 

[Qwiv]

Then I think you should do what is most cost effective for you then. I would guess wood would be cheaper for you, but don't know what connections you have. Let me know if you need any help with the design.