My first large tank build

[SaltyGinger42]

So my Woman and I recently got a house together and I decided to upgrade from a 30 gallon nano cube, that we've had running for the past 3 years, to a 90 gallon long. This is the first time I've gone this in depth with an aquarium build in my life and here's what I have so far!

I couldn't find a stand that would take the weight or be shaped right for the plumbing so I just decided to weld a stand together out of a bunch of 2x2x¼ angle iron and painted it. I even have a place to hang a refugium light later on

I still have a lot of work to do with it, this is all just the beginning stage and I'm still learning and figuring out better ways to set things up. But I love every second of it. I'm completely and hopelessly addicted to the aquarium life and I wouldn't ever change that. And thank you to everyone here that has helped me along the way. You all rock!! Any feedback is welcome!

Oh and I couldn't just get rid of my 30 gallon. So I brought it and everyone in it along for the ride!! Not a single fatality while moving. Everyone is doing fantastic while the big tank cycles! And I have plans to get a new stand for the 30 gallon and possibly do an anemone cube. If anyone has some cool suggestions on what else I could do with the 30 gallon they are welcome!

 

[Johnd651]

Very nice. Wish I knew how to weld. How do you design it to know it will hold about 1000 lbs of weight?

 

[SaltyGinger42]

Very nice. Wish I knew how to weld. How do you design it to know it will hold about 1000 lbs of weight?

So I know that the wire I'm using has a tensile strength rating of around 90 to 120 KSI (kilopounds per square inch) and when converted to PSI that's around 90,000 to 120,000 pounds per square inch. The steel I'm using has been rated to take at least 3 to 4 tons of pressure on a hydraulic press before it bends or fails. So I know the material I'm using is durable and robust enough to take the weight. And the way I welded it together allowed for around 2 inches of overlap on the holding tray as well as the base tray and reinforcements. I wasn't using the greatest welder in the world so the welds aren't as pretty as they could have been, but I plan to build a cabinet around it so the welds will be covered up. Here's a few pics about what I mean with the 2 inch overlap.

And I'll be completely honest with you, if you pick up a cheap welder from harbor freight and a couple pieces of cheap steel, YouTube can be your best friend and you could easily learn to do stuff like this with a little time and practice.

 

[Johnd651]

So I know that the wire I'm using has a tensile strength rating of around 90 to 120 KSI (kilopounds per square inch) and when converted to PSI that's around 90,000 to 120,000 pounds per square inch. The steel I'm using has been rated to take at least 3 to 4 tons of pressure on a hydraulic press before it bends or fails. So I know the material I'm using is durable and robust enough to take the weight. And the way I welded it together allowed for around 2 inches of overlap on the holding tray as well as the base tray and reinforcements. I wasn't using the greatest welder in the world so the welds aren't as pretty as they could have been, but I plan to build a cabinet around it so the welds will be covered up. Here's a few pics about what I mean with the 2 inch overlap.

And I'll be completely honest with you, if you pick up a cheap welder from harbor freight and a couple pieces of cheap steel, YouTube can be your best friend and you could easily learn to do stuff like this with a little time and practice.

When looking at the welds in the pictures, that weld is only the edge of one piece being held across the front of the other piece? Or do you weld all 4 sides of where the two pieces meet?

 

[SaltyGinger42]

When looking at the welds in the pictures, that weld is only the edge of one piece being held across the front of the other piece? Or do you weld all 4 sides of where the two pieces meet?

I welded all 4 sides. Across both tops where the metal meets and down both sides. And a threw a little tack weld on all the undersides. I also did the same for all the base reinforcements. I think this thing could get hit by a truck and shrug it off honestly

 

[Uncle99]

Very nice!
Enjoy!

 

[SaltyGinger42]

Very nice!
Enjoy!

Thank you!!

 

[Pistondog]

Was going to say add cross bracing, but re read the material dims, should be more than fine. Id add a lightweight center rail lenghtwise with holes to hang stuff on and leveling feet.

 

[SaltyGinger42]

Was going to say add cross bracing, but re read the material dims, should be more than fine. Id add a lightweight center rail lenghtwise with holes to hang stuff on and leveling feet.

Heard. Didn't even think of a length wise rail. That should work nice to hang things on. And I do have 1 brace welded solid in the middle of the stand. I was planning on drilling holes and hanging my refugium light from it but I think I like your center rail idea better honestly. Thanks!!

 

[skrtchsr]

This makes me nervous af. No way to really know how the welds are just from the pictures but make sure you have enough penetration. Also from what I can gather from the pics it looks like all lap joints. Lap joints are not structurally sound for taking mechanical load (read not load bearing joints). Looking at the pics and the way you designed the stand, each of them is intended to hold a load. So you're putting quite a bit of sheer force on that weld. About a thousand pounds from what I can tell.

Also worth noting is that a lap weld is notorious for moisture retention and in this specific application, it's likely that will be an issue.

From what I'm seeing, even if those welds hold (I don't think they will over time), the lateral force to buckle the entire structure would not be much. I would at the very least add some gusseting.

If this is still vertical it would be my strong recommendation to make some adjustments as soon as possible to avoid failure.

With that being said, it is 100% possible for a properly executed lap joint like this to handle downward sheer force, I just wouldn't trust it personally.

I'd be happy to help draw something up if you want a hand.

Your welds do look good, so please don't think I'm criticizing your workmanship. Just trying to offer some insight.