fishandchips Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Ok fishy friends, I have a 600l tank that i want to get a stand made for, I have a decision to make, Wood or Metal. I am very happy to make a wooden stand for the tank from the picture below But i have a friend who is a fantastic welder and can get box steel from his work, he can create the stand from the picture below. I can buy the timber for about $150 and put it together for fairly cheaply, i can get all the steel for about $200. I think the wooden stand is over engineered but i dont really mind that. So what do people think? I guess i would have to buy some paint to cover the metal so rust was not an issue but besides that i am stuck. Help me make a decision please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Which look do you prefer? Some people make the basic frame from steel, for strength, then finish off with wood, as they prefer the look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 I think either way i would cover with plywood to finish it off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 IMO go steel and get it painted in some descent paint it will last longer be stronger and be alot lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 IMO go steel and get it painted in some descent paint it will last longer be stronger and be alot lighter My steel stand is already showing signs of surface rust through the paint. Its the first and probably the last steel stand I'll own. I've made my own timber stands in the past, and will do so next time we move and transfer the 65' tank that is currently on a steel stand to a timber one. There's few things I'd suggest though. Neither plan has any triangles. If you're going to screw ply onto it to cover it then don't worry as that will brace it. Second, what are the dimensions of your tank? If its made from 4x2, that stand looks crazy overkill for the size of the tank. My 5x2x2' was on a timber stand with six legs, and I notched the top of the legs to sit the horizontal support on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 My steel stand is already showing signs of surface rust through the paint. Its the first and probably the last steel stand I'll own. I've made my own timber stands in the past, and will do so next time we move and transfer the 65' tank that is currently on a steel stand to a timber one. There's few things I'd suggest though. Neither plan has any triangles. If you're going to screw ply onto it to cover it then don't worry as that will brace it. Second, what are the dimensions of your tank? If its made from 4x2, that stand looks crazy overkill for the size of the tank. My 5x2x2' was on a timber stand with six legs, and I notched the top of the legs to sit the horizontal support on. There is going to be plywood on the outside so should be sweet with bracing. The tank is 1500mmx760mmx600mm, i was thinking it was a bit overkill, especially after looking on some american sites and seeing what the put on four legs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 There is going to be plywood on the outside so should be sweet with bracing. The tank is 1500mmx760mmx600mm, i was thinking it was a bit overkill, especially after looking on some american sites and seeing what the put on four legs! Extra wood is cheap insurance. Question is how it will hold up when there's a 6.9 earthquake. An extra $20 worth of 2X4s wouldn't be a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishandchips Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 When there is a 6.9 earthquake in Mosgiel i am going sit and watch. Think i will go with the wood approac, give me an excuse to use a nailgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Extra wood is cheap insurance. Question is how it will hold up when there's a 6.9 earthquake. An extra $20 worth of 2X4s wouldn't be a bad thing. Diagonal bracing will be taking the load in an earthquake more than the 4x2 legs. If it doesn't have that then it doesn't matter how many legs its got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 My steel stand is already showing signs of surface rust through the paint. Its the first and probably the last steel stand I'll own. I've made my own timber stands in the past, and will do so next time we move and transfer the 65' tank that is currently on a steel stand to a timber one. There's few things I'd suggest though. Neither plan has any triangles. If you're going to screw ply onto it to cover it then don't worry as that will brace it. Second, what are the dimensions of your tank? If its made from 4x2, that stand looks crazy overkill for the size of the tank. My 5x2x2' was on a timber stand with six legs, and I notched the top of the legs to sit the horizontal support on. Get it galv dipped, cheap as chips and it will out last the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Dip the whole stand?!?! Or you mean dip the steel, then grind the galv off to weld it, then hope it doesn't rust around the welds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Dip the whole stand?!?! Or you mean dip the steel, then grind the galv off to weld it, then hope it doesn't rust around the welds? Weld up the stand and dip the whole stand, its all metal right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 Weld up the stand and dip the whole stand, its all metal right? yeah dip it, i used to work in a hot dip galv plant. it was $1.25 per kilo then so it wuld cost about $80. if it was me i would fix plywood over the steel frame so you cn paint it or stain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 im considering making a steel and wood stand, i thought brushed steel with a light varnished wood slats along the front and sides would be strong and look mean. dont suppose you could use a waterproof paint or that polyurethane? paint over the steel? that would keep it waterproof right? or other option you could go 18/10 stainless?? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorseFreak Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I would go wood, but in the pic it looks abit over the top. Just a plain wood one with polystirine underneath would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I've just done my 750ltr with an over engineered steel stand and had it powder coated, harder than paint and plenty of colour options. I know mine will take a 6.9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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