DIY stand for 180 question

[acolaojr]

I will be getting my 180 gallon acrylic tank delivered soon and had a question about the stand. I read that the bottom of acrylic tanks need to be fully supported and was wondering what exactly does that mean? The tanks foot print is 6'x2'. I was planning on building the stand out of 2" tube steel and was going to weld 2' sections to every foot or so running down the 6 foot length of stand. Is that enough support or do I need to have the entire bottom supported with a sheet of pressure treated plywood or something along that line on top of the 2'x6' frame. Thanks in advance for the advice. I can draw something up if this doesn't make sense.

 

[albano]

You need a solid level top and a solid foam/insulation panel on top of that

 

[duke62]

Do yourself a favor either bring the top pieces of wood to get plained or use a A table saw to plain them yourself to get a perfect level. I would cut a 1/4 off each piece

 

[Weicowireman]

I wouldn't use tube steel. I would use square stock or angle iron.

 

[acolaojr]

Thats what I intend to use square tube in 316 stainless steal.

 

[Weicowireman]

Your going to use stainless steel?

 

[Weicowireman]

If so that would look awesome. You must be quite the welder if your welding stainless..

 

[acolaojr]

Yeah its going to cost a pretty penny but I think in the long run it will be the best looking and least to maintain. I have a steel shop and our welder is the best. Welds aluminum like a roll of dimes. Getting anxious they shipped the tank out of Florida last night.

 

[Weicowireman]

Very nice. Looking forward to the build

 

[tttony]

Are you going to put any doors on the stand ?

 

[acolaojr]

I don't think so its going to be in a separate fish room the tanks going to be a through wall tank. Flush with the wall on the playroom side and I'll be able to maintain it on the fish room side I'm planning on leaving everything open. I'm starting construction within the next couple of weeks.

 

[acolaojr]

Ok decided to go with tube steel and going to hot dip galvanize the stand. Does anyone know if the zinc would effect the tank corral if it would somehow get into the water? Also I was thinking of using corian counter top material instead of the plywood for the top of the stand does anyone see any issues with that?

 

[acolaojr]

Bump any body know if zinc is bad for the tank?

 

[theMeat]

yes it's toxic. No where near as toxic as copper.

 

[acolaojr]

I have been reading about it. I feel better off not going that route and rolling the dice guess I'm going to get the steel powder coated which was my last choice but now seems like my only choice. Stainless Steel is just way to expensive.

 

[theMeat]

use wood and be done

 

[acolaojr]

With wood I will need a center leg which I don't really want. I will only need four legs with steel. Decided to use steel with marine grade tenemac paint. I will post pics once I start building which should be mid week.

 

[acolaojr]

Ok I was thinking of using some left over safety clear plastic acrylic for the solid base in lieu of plywood. Would that work? What is the reason behind needing a solid sheet of plywood? Does the acrylic tanks bow in between the horizontal supports?

 

[theMeat]

Could use wood for stand, and add some steel across the span where you don't want a center brace.

 

[acolaojr]

I already built a stand out of tube steel just trying to figure out why I have to support the entire bottom of the tank with a full sheet of "something" and if plexy glass would be a good substitute for plywood. I am trying to stay away from any organic materials that can rot or grow mold. Here is a picture.