DIY Steel Stand

[opakapaka]

I am having Ken (High Plains Reefer) build a steel stand for a 180 gallon and have a few questions regarding steel. I know absolutely nothing when it comes to welding and steel stands except from what I've read on the forums. The designs seem to be fairly similar for all tanks it looks like. What I would like to do is have the front be at least 40" without any braces. With that being said what is the minimum size steel square tube and minimum gauge of steel I should be looking at in order to go without a middle brace for a 6 foot span? I've seen many used 1.5" x 1.5" (11 gauge, 1/8") for tanks that are 180 gallons.
Something like this:
View attachment 18341

Would something like this work if I went with a smaller gauge steel, say 14 gauge?
View attachment 18342
I thought of this setup because I came across this ad on CL for some pretty cheap steel and was wondering if it would be possible to use this in my build? Would it provide more support if I was to have the 2" sides facing out for the horizontal segments? If this is too thin, would it be possible to have more vertical supports and still be sufficient to hold the tank up?
http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4307509766.html



Anyone know of any place/person where I can get steel at a good price?

 

[Walter White]

I buy all my steel a Dencol. Personally i would use 1.5" x1.5" 11gauge square tube steel. I tend to go overkill on things but if it were my stand and i wanted a 6' span without center bracing id just make the top frame out of 1.5"x 3" rectangular tube or throw in 1-2 more horizontal 1.5"x1.5" spans along the top.

 

[Craigar]

I can usually get you a good price on steel through my work

 

[opakapaka]

I can usually get you a good price on steel through my work

Can you get me pricing for 1.5" x 1.5" 11 gauge and 1.5" x 3" 11 gauge? Thanks.

 

[Craigar]

They will come in 20' lengths how many lengths of each

 

[opakapaka]

How much for 20' for each? Still need to finalize the exact length I will need depending on my final design.

They will come in 20' lengths how many lengths of each

 

[High Plains Reefer]

It will most likely be 3-4 sticks so 60-80 feet of material

 

[High Plains Reefer]

4 sticks would be ideal

 

[Craigar]

Pmed you

 

[opakapaka]

Anybody have any suggestions with this design using 1.5" x 1.5" 11 gauge steel tube?
[attachment=66505:name]

Would I still need to double up on the top frame?

 

[Craigar]

I would do two braces in the back and then in the front you could stack two 1.5x1.5" pieces on the front top piece and not have any braces on the front at all

 

[opakapaka]

I would do two braces in the back and then in the front you could stack two 1.5x1.5" pieces on the front top piece and not have any braces on the front at all

Something like this?
[attachment=66506:name]

 

[Craigar]

Truthfully you could eliminate the two supports in the front

 

[opakapaka]

Truthfully you could eliminate the two supports in the front

Like this then?
[attachment=66507:name]

 

[Craigar]

Yeah

 

[opakapaka]

Yeah

Thank you Craig.

 

[Craigar]

I personally think that would be strong enough if everything's perfectly square all the wieght will be straight down. Each corner will have approximately 400 lbs on it I think you can get that pretty easy if you worry about it at all get one stick of 1.5x1.5x1/8 for the 4 corners.

 

[jda123]

I might suggest a gusset plate instead of the angled tube. Also, if you need front support for a skin, then you can make them to bolt on so that you can have the whole front open to get a huge sump in and out

 

[MuralReef]

I prefer counter sunk rare earth magnets to hold the exterior on.

 

[High Plains Reefer]

it will be gusseted correctly I have 3/16 plate for that