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Custom made metal frame stand


jean9910

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Hey,

 

I am working on a new build and was wondering if any of you could give me advice regarding weight support and stands.

 

The stand I am going to build will he holding my sump at the bottom (36x16x16) and a mister aqua 12 gallon long on the top.

 

I was wondering if 3/4 inch square tubing would be an acceptable size for the construction of this frame and if any of you had a method to calculate the requirements in order to support this kind of weight.

 

 

Thank you.

 

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So first off only do the metal stand if you're wanting the looks or customization - because a 12g tank doesn't need a very heavy duty stand. Even the sump can be dealt with simply because it's so low to the ground.

 

when speaking about metal tubing it's pretty important also to mention wall thickness too. Generally the larger the tube is the thinner the wall can be to support the same weight. So I can't really say whether 3/4" square tubing is sufficient. Maybe test a piece. Lay down a piece across 2 bricks or something and put a weight in the middle to simulate the weight of the aquariums and measure the deflection. If it's none to minimal then you're good with 3/4". I don't think you'll need much to support the upper tank since it's only 12g. If you wanted it could be interesting to do a dual material stand - make a metal stand for the 12g and set it over a wood box that would support and raise up the sump a little... It might make the materials cost cheaper for the metal stand and look cool too.

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Look up steel tube deflection calculators to get an idea of what tubing to use. Instead of a heavy wall 3/4" maybe go with a thinner wall 1"? The stand I just built is 1.5" .120 wall for the main supports and 1.5" .065 wall for the rest. And it's for a 125 gallon measuring 72x18x23

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Have built a few stands myself and most of them were out of 2x2x.120.

 

As you said it is a 12 gallon I am sure that 3/4 .095 would work but if it was me I would rather go with at least 1 inch material myself.

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I would think 1/2" would work for a 12g as long as you braced it. But I would go with 1" personally. When you are talking properly braced metal stand it wouldn't take much to support that weight.

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