Tank stand question

[stimpy4242]

I just picked up my new 125 from glasscages.com and it is of incredible weight. I would guess around 100 to 150 pounds. then with the water and rock and sand and coral and canopy and lighting seems like this is a very heavy tank...suggestions on stand construction? I am almost leaning towards a steel frame for this thing...any exprience would be great to hear.

 

[bsp]

If you are handy you can build your own. 2x4's would do great with a outside finish with 1xs. I think 1 gal of water is 8.5lbs. It would be best if you could put your tank across the3or4 floor joist.Hope this helps.

 

[stimpy4242]

I am curious if you think that would be sufficient for the weight of this thing? The tank sits against the structural wall of the house, but I am not sure the direction the floor joists run...if they run one way its only sitting on one or two maybe...the other way, they would be sitting on plenty plus the structural wall...

 

[bsp]

You are close to my area Emmitsburg. If at all possible I would try to put it perpendicular to the joist,only because it is alot of weigh. 1000 lbs. of water only.If your on a structural wall it probably will be okay. You will have to wait and see. When we go to buy a hot tub to put on the first floor of the house they don't tell you the floor may sag. It is alot of wait plus the stand and other wait of people walking. The wait will be tranfered directly down so the structural wall will help.

 

[acrylic51]

Metal stand would probably be nicer, but if your not a good welder and such it's really something you'd have to have done.....The key is making sure it's square and have the stand powder coated......I'm an owner of a GlassCages 240 and I know the weight your talking about......It's massive......I opted to build my stand out of wood, but it's kinda in wall setup though.....What are you plans for the tank? Give us some ideas

 

[cyclops]

I would go with wood. I have a stand built of wood for a 135G with 125lbs live rock and sump and fuge it holds perfect better then steel I think and it is easy to do. If you are close to glenburnie I know a place where they build custom stands for low price. It is right next House of Tropics.

 

[bsp]

If you can get to aquarium center in Randallstown, I think, look at their stands. Just made of 2x4's and simply construction. You could go with 2X6's,but that is pretty massive. I had a 30 gal. and built my stand as a bookcase with room to store things undereath. Just out of 2X4' but you need to use then on the narrow edge so they don't bow. Hope this helps Good luck.

 

[jlem]

You should go to some stores and look at stands. Even the large aquarium stands made for 125 and 180 gallon tanks are made with just 3/4 inch Plywood. I build stands as a past time for some local stores and even on my 150 gallon stands I just double up the 3/4 inch ply in the corners. As long as you cut square the stand will hold just fine. You could put a 2X4 inner frame which would help you sleep better but it would not be needed. I would put the 2X4 inner frame after you built the the stand though.

 

[stimpy4242]

than you for the replies...I do have a friend who is an excellent welder and can make the stand out of 1.5" box tube. Steel is far stronger then wood and will actually weight the same or less given there are less material sections. He is going to build the stand for me. The tank will be a reef tank with a 55g tanks sitting below it as the sumpfuge. The tank has predrilled holes for the CL which will be hidden in rockwork...nothing will be seen but the overflow which will eventually be covered...i am really excited about this. One thing I posted a question about pumps for the CL and the overflow return...no one responded...I want the CL to be the main turnover for the water. There is a two inch inlet hole and the CL will go out to four one inch holes, but seperately as it goes through the squirt. What pump will i need for this CL? The other pump is the return to the DT from the sump fuge...what flow do I need through there? What size and type of pump for that?