Rainmaker69 Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I am contemplating building a double rack to house my 55 g and a 30 g. I would like the 55 (36X18) to sit on top and the 30 to be on the bottom. I want to weld this out of steel and am wondering about material size. One welder I talked to recommended 2X2X1/8 square tubing, another suggested 1X2X1/8 which I feel would be to light. Would 1X2X3/16 be suitable as I feel that the 2X2 would look to bulky, and expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandopsis Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Wood that's the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 With the current price and quality of wood... Totem / costco sell a brand of racks called "Gorilla Racks" - look for the 48x18 size the 6' tall units are under 100$ They also make a 4-5' tall model. Each shelf is rated to 750 lbs with the supplied pressboard (replace it with 3/4" ply - and I believe one of the engineers said it was good to 1000lbs); they also sell big comercial units for a little bit more - that are good to 1500lbs per shelf. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted January 15, 2005 Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 1 1/4" x 1/8" thick square tubing would do fine. It will strong enough for what you have in mind. Not very expensive. It is the labour [ if you have to pay] that costs. AND a very good idea; have adjusters installed. I use 1/2" n/c all-thread. Have them weld a nut to the bottom of the legs, cut 4 pieces - 6" long 1/2" all thread, weld a big 2" flat washer/nut for the foot. Add another 1/2" nut to lock everything tight. Place hockey pucks under the foot [ washer]. This will allow you to perfectly level the tank/stand. MPE. HTH Smokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggie Posted January 15, 2005 Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 .125 wall is serious overkill for a stand that only houses a 55 gal and a 30 gal, it'll end up being heavy as sin. Given todays steel prices it's really not that cheap either. I think you'd be better off building a wooden stand. Easy to construct in an afternoon and probably half the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainmaker69 Posted January 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 Thanks Smokey, I will be welding it myself so labor is $0.10 an hour. I just wasn't sure of the structral capacities. For the levelers, I was planing on using 1/2" X 4" carriage bolts with 3/4" flat washers welded to the heads then I can use the shoulder of the bolt to adjust. Froggie, I have 3 double wooden stands already, rough cut 2X6 with 2X2"anle iron braces and carriage bolted together. Just the frames but someday I will get around to finishing them. Lumber and iron was free from work. I want an iron stand mainly to see if I can do it right. Other than that, you are right, wood is cheaper and easier to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAR Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 hey guys I'm looking to weld a two shelf stand. on the top is a 125/135 ga and the second shelf is for my 45 gal and 10 gal fry tank. My question is what steel do I use?? angle iron, square tubing??? how thick do I use?? thanks guys, Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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