Any Engineers in the building? Steel Stand question

Hey guys, been away for a while busy with work, but have enough money saved up to get my 180g reef started, so I wanna get to it, but I have some concerns about the stand I made.... just second guessing my plans before it's too late.

I am hoping someone here who has a background in structural engineering can give me some help.

My stand is made out of 3/16 2x3 rectangular steel tube. The top is a 72x24" rectangle and it sits on 4 legs of the same material. I'm confident in my welds, but if the steel going to deflect or bow on me? Should I brace the legs, should I add a center support leg?

I have some pics that if Ic an find them I will post of the basic construction, but if you're confident it'll hold or not hold please say so.

Thanks all!

-Doug

 

Good question it should be OK but i think a center leg support would give you peace of mind that tank full of water will be about 1600 / 1700 lbs, do you have the legs all tied together on the bottom to spread out the weight ??

 

pics...

first two show the top, last pic shows one of the legs being welded in place.

dimensions are 6' long, 2' wide, 31" tall.

 

No, they're nor walded together. The plan was (is) to make a plywood base to help abosrb that last tiny fraction of an inch of imperfection in the stand and I would use some angle braces to tie the legs to the plywood base. If you think I should weld some struts in there I could do that.

The stand has been painted with a rustproofing material that's used on oil rigs and docks, so I'd like to avoid any more welding or grinding, but if I have to do it I will. I can re-paint a little bit, but the skin coating isn't cheap.

 

the base should work the only thought is weather the square tube will bow in the middle and not support the tank evenly. but at 3/16 thickness it shouldn't.

 

It will bow. Either ad a shorter piece under all sides of the stand and add leg supposrts to each end of these or add center legs. The first will give you better protection and keep the front open so you can access anything you need.

 

oops i guess 25 years of working metal and im still an idiot i better go back to the ship yard and learn something.

you better listen to the rest of the guys im just an old fool!

 

I'll add my NASAGeekness to this....

I'd add a center support and tie the legs together. I like the plywood base idea. I would get rid of that... but I'd have positive control on those legs. Center legs are margin, but I wouldn't skimp on the foundation.

Once complete, I'd get a good anti-corrosion coat on there.... you could simply paint it, but paint scratches. I'd look into some coatings.

M

 

Limited Sportsman drag racing rules state a minimum of 2x3 1/8 inch thick steel for the frame rail. If a 3100lb (minimum weight for that class) car capable of doing 160+ mph can handle being made with 1/8 inch thick steel on a (minimum) 57 inch wide frame, then I think your 1700lb fish tank will be overkill with 3/16 inch thick steel on a 24 inch wide frame.

I would tie those legs together though.

 

I don't know where I called you a fool or inexperienced, but last time I checked these forums are open to multiple opinions. In fact, that is what forums are based on. I feel it will bow enough to put stress on the seals of the aquarium. It doesn't hurt to ad an extra layer for peace of mind. Btw, who said I don't have experience with metal work. The stand holding the weight of the filled tank, but keeping the seams as stress free as possible is also important. It doesn't take much more work to add 4more braces and two legs supporting those for good measure.