Reef Lounge New Display Tank - Build Thread
- Thread starter Reef Lounge USA
- Start date
very impressive tank, and the polishing looks like it's coming out nicely.
i'm kinda skeptical of the tank stand though.
that's 6,500~7,000lb of weight sitting on top of (8) 4x4, with a top frame of 2x4 turned on the flat side toe nailed together?.. yikes!
normally i only worry about the shear forces on a stand, but based upon what i'm seeing, i'm kinda nervous about just the static load.
i'm kinda skeptical of the tank stand though.
that's 6,500~7,000lb of weight sitting on top of (8) 4x4, with a top frame of 2x4 turned on the flat side toe nailed together?.. yikes!
normally i only worry about the shear forces on a stand, but based upon what i'm seeing, i'm kinda nervous about just the static load.
i hope so, i would hate to hear about that pretty tank crashing to the floor.
something to consider - the 4x4 posts on the axis can actually handle 6000lbs each - but that's a calculated max.
that assumes a structural grade post (not the stuff you get from home depot) that is without any defects, cut perfectly, edges are straight and loaded perfect - but that's all beside the point. the 4x4 is plenty strong upright (if perfectly upright) to support the weight.
the problem comes from distribution of the weight. from the looks of it, the entirely of the weight is being distributed by the 2x4 laid on its side? for a tank that size, i would really recommend (2) sheets of 3/4" plywood GLUED together on top of the 2x4s. the key is distributing the load evenly to the posts.
after you get the distribution down, then comes shear.
you really need a lot more shear resistance than those little diagonal kickers you've got going on. the weak link to that setup is the connection. you've only got ? maybe 8 screws at each diagonal? those things will shear right off with those concentrated point loads. I would add on 3/4" plywood sheating on at least 2 sides, and attach them at 12" on center.
these are just rough estimates. 6-7k lbs is no joke. even with welded steel frame, you'd be looking at thicker tube steel with deeper penetration welds.
something to consider - the 4x4 posts on the axis can actually handle 6000lbs each - but that's a calculated max.
that assumes a structural grade post (not the stuff you get from home depot) that is without any defects, cut perfectly, edges are straight and loaded perfect - but that's all beside the point. the 4x4 is plenty strong upright (if perfectly upright) to support the weight.
the problem comes from distribution of the weight. from the looks of it, the entirely of the weight is being distributed by the 2x4 laid on its side? for a tank that size, i would really recommend (2) sheets of 3/4" plywood GLUED together on top of the 2x4s. the key is distributing the load evenly to the posts.
after you get the distribution down, then comes shear.
you really need a lot more shear resistance than those little diagonal kickers you've got going on. the weak link to that setup is the connection. you've only got ? maybe 8 screws at each diagonal? those things will shear right off with those concentrated point loads. I would add on 3/4" plywood sheating on at least 2 sides, and attach them at 12" on center.
these are just rough estimates. 6-7k lbs is no joke. even with welded steel frame, you'd be looking at thicker tube steel with deeper penetration welds.
