Help with frame

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A guy I work with has a fish tank 20 gal x 20 gal. It is 24w x 48 x 48. He wants me to build a frame to put it on, I have ideas on what to do, but need help. What would be good materials to use?Lincoln AC-225 90 amp flux core
Reply:Here's some goggle pics, https://www.google.com/search?q=aqua...2&ved=0CGMQsAQAbout 3 months ago there was a post in tank stand.
Reply:I think 1/8 inch steel by 2 inch round or square would work. You could use 4 or 5 leggs. That's about 700 or 800 pounds you gota support. And a 1/8 inch top. Maybe 3/16 if u want
Reply:Yeah it's something he wants me to build. So should 3/16" angle iron work for not the legs but to set the frame on?Lincoln AC-225 90 amp flux core
Reply:U mean the angle iron is going on the outside corners of the top?
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313U mean the angle iron is going on the outside corners of the top?
Reply:Oh ya. You can do that. Are you just gona put the tanks in the angle iron? If so I'd put 6 leggs. Square is stronger because you have more area then round
Reply:go to the corner pet shop and see how their tank stands are fabricated. then google fish tank stands. gather all this 411 and combine it with those ideas of your own that you mentioned in your op.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313Oh ya. You can do that. Are you just gona put the tanks in the angle iron? If so I'd put 6 leggs. Square is stronger because you have more area then round
Reply:I would agree with everything said so far.But will add it is very very rarely a bad thing to overbuild.I would go square tube the entire thing, if you want a frame for the tank to sit in, put angle on top of the square.  If you build it like a table, gussets would be a very good idea, a shelf near the bottom would also do a lot for strength/stability.
Reply:What would a good size thickness of square tubing be?Lincoln AC-225 90 amp flux core
Reply:Theres Loads of examples here https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fi...sh+tank+standsBut 2 inch box section seems about right minimum 3mm thick
Reply:We already went over it 1/8 inch. Your not holding a house. That will be good
Reply:Just make sure the surface is perfectly flat or you risk a crack in the tank.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Gravel beat me to it ,I broke two tanks before I figured out the stand wasn't flat .And the only crack when there is water in them ,and you are not home !gxbxc
Reply:cole_977 What does 20 gal. x 20 gal. mean? If it's 24w x 48 x 48 - or 2' x 4' x 4' = 32 cubic feet.Water weighs 62.5 [minus] lbs. per cubic foot.32 x 62.5 = 2000 lbs. + aquarium weight.  Gravel's concern cannot be understated.  Your selection of the material for the top surface should be driven by rigidity and planarity.  An emptybottom steel frame is a formula for folly.Don't even consider an angle-iron cradle or top-frame.  Hot rolled angle is not straight [flat] and conventional fabrication makes it worse.With a suitable top - the steel under-carriage - has abroad latitude of design, and structural correctness.No more than four legs is best, and consider adjusters to compensate for an uneven floor.The integrity of the floor determines what the bearingarea should be.  If you have a weak floor, this areamay want to be as large as the top bearing surface. Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcGravel beat me to it ,I broke two tanks before I figured out the stand wasn't flat .And the only crack when there is water in them ,and you are not home !gxbxc
Reply:I'am not sure what you are caculating "water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon " so 20 gallons is 166.6 #.My son has a 200 gallon salt water tank and with water ,gravel, coral ,and fish it is under 2,000 pounds . So maybe the guy has a 200 gallon tank not 20Last edited by gxbxc; 12-05-2014 at 10:50 PM.
Reply:Opus is right on with his calculations. The OP's dimensions were conflicting but I think Opus is right in his assumption that the tank is 2'x4'x4'. 32cf with 7.49 gallons/cf and 8.34 lbs/gallon.But, I think he meant that my concern couldn't be overstated, not understated.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:GravelAmends - indeed, I meant Overstated.I'm subject to random über/unter right-side synapse conflicts.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROGravelAmends - indeed, I meant Overstated.I'm subject to random über/unter right-side synapse conflicts.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelOpus is right on with his calculations. The OP's dimensions were conflicting but I think Opus is right in his assumption that the tank is 2'x4'x4'. 32cf with 7.49 gallons/cf and 8.34 lbs/gallon.But, I think he meant that my concern couldn't be overstated, not understated.