Tank stand supporting frame

[nipat]

During 1-3 Nov there was a flooding in my area, 240 centimetres deep.
Fortunately I could make my 20 g tank float by scooping some water out
and pulled it to the stair landing and let it float there.

There was just a short period of sunlight on it for 4-5 days without
electricity. I thought most of the critters were dead since some oil
(didn't know where it came from, maybe someone's garage) splashed
in there during the maneuvering.

After the water had receded, it seemed all of them survived the event.
However some Amano shrimps were missing during redoing the tank
(as the gravel must be removed to make the tank moveable).
I was sure it's because they were frightened by all the fishes when I put
them all in a bucket and jumped away, not being eaten.

You can see the 2217 canister sitting outside, on the air-con compressor unit.
There were Corydoras fries inside.

Next time I will prepare myself with a big shallow container (for better
gas exchange) as an emergency place for the critters.

 

[nipat]

Fortunately I sill have not ordered a stand for my new 90 g tank.
At first I decided to go with ADA style. But the flooding has
changed my mind on the materials. Particle board and plywood
aren't suitable anymore. Also solid wood would float and the tank
may fall. So I'm leaning toward stainless steel frame with removable
wood panels.

The size of the tank is 76x76 and 60 cm height (30"x30"x24") with 12 mm (7/16") thick glass, rimless.
I'm worried about the bending at the middle of the bottom. So I'm thinking
about a supporting structure. Which one in the picture is better? Or they're all bad idea?
What do you think?

 

[pepetj]

Looking at a metal stand structure designed for me by a structural engineer for my 145 gal tank, I believe that if you use 1" square steel (no need for stainless steel, just treat the metal frame) an build with a center bracket (in your case a cross bracket, given the footprint's geometry), you have a pretty stable structure
Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Nipat,

I am so sorry to hear of this and hope that things are getting better.....Please let me know if there is something I could do..

I think either of your options will be fine. I wanted a similar stand for my 180 but could not find anyone to sell me one....

So, I went again with wood but not particle board...

Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

[Biollante]

Bummer!

Hi Nipat,

I am also sorry to hear of the flooding, tail end of the Monsoon?

That was innovative, floating the tank.

My guess is the shrimp, abandoned ship (tank?) as it floated, looks as though they had a way to climb out.

I think that your experience is a great example of our critters, perhaps not being as sensitive as we often like to think.

I like the idea of a stainless steel stand, though I am sure Pepetj is right about the one inch square steel being sufficient, not to mention cheaper.

As long as the folks doing the welding know what they are doing the first choice is cleaner looking and will allow better equipment access.

Good luck my friend. Let us know how it is going and if we can help.

Biollante

 

[Biollante]

Please Pardon My Hijack

Hi Gerry,

{Hijack Alert}

I thought you had found some outfit in California that did SS stands.

I recall looking into them a bit, recall I was not overly impressed (something about the phones? Can't remember), but really didn't check them out thoroughly, guess I did not hear anymore.

Biollante

 

[nipat]

Thanks, all of you.

It was the starting of cyclone Jal. When it hit here, it was a tropical depression.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Jal

We have been nervous every year's end. This is the third time in 10 years.:gw



I've contacted a shop for the stand, but no calling back so far.
Seems a bit hard to have it made.

 

[Biollante]

A Little Calculating...

Hi Nipat,

Wow, three times in ten years, that is some rough weather, I am glad you are okay.

According to my handy-dandy pocket book of engineering stuff, assuming I have done the calculations correctly...

Your tank should be 346 liters, weighing empty about 90 kg, full of water that would be... something around 440 kg... add another 150 for substrate, rocks and so on... round up... 600 kg or so.

With 12 mm glass you have a very high safety factor of around 5.5, a safety factor of 2 is generally considered safe, I have always used a safety factor of 2.5. I seriously doubt glass flexing will be an issue.

According to my little book and my questionable calculations the stand in the first photo made from 25 mm square stock steel should be sufficient without the center bracing. In fact the center cross bracing may actually be more a hazard to your tank.

Also the cross braces will limit your options for bulkhead placement. :gw

A little late, but stay dry my friend...

Biollante

 

[nipat]

The frame arrived today. I prefer it to have a brace anyway.
The price is 6300 Baht (210 USD).

While checking the picture I had taken, I noticed a strange reflection
at the upper left front corner.

It is from a minor imperfect area (wavy surface), should not be a problem
after adding a sheet of foam, I think.

It was made from 1.5"x1.5" stainless steel tubes with 1.2 mm wall.
Quite thin, but the shop affirmed me it's strong enough.

---
A little late, but stay dry my friend...
---
Biollante

Thank you (a bit late, too).

Yesterday, the big cloud at the south of Vietnam scared the hell
out of everyone in the city. Fortunately it becomes weaker today.:gw

 

[Biollante]

Machinists Steel

Hi Nipat,

Looks nice...

If that wavy bit is no higher than the level of the rest of the frame, I doubt there is an issue.

If any of the wavy bit is higher, use a steel edge (machinist's steel) not your finger to check this, then it is a problem and really needs to be ground down. :gw

Glad to hear you dodged another major rain...

Continue to stay dry my friend... :gw

Biollante

 

[Gerryd]

Nipat,

That is a very attractive stand IMO... I had wanted something like it for my 180 but that I could also use a 'skirt' of very nice hardwood around the frame.

Please keep us posted on the progress of the tank setup...

Glad you dodged again. Living in South Florida and the hurricanes I understand a bit of your anxiety, although I have never experienced anything like you have.

Best of luck!