Steel or Wood?

[CarlosS]

Hi Guys:

I am thinking in build a new proyect in my home of abot 140 gals. Talking about the stand, I have seen some of you that have made this stand in wood. I think that would be great in wood for corrosion issues. My tank will be in a place that will be very difficult to make any maintenance job in a future, for this reason I don't like steel stands for my project.

But I am worried if the wood if able to support this weight. I know steel will but I am not sure about wood.

What do you think?

Thanks for your comments

[eznet2u]

They build 2 story houses out of wood...Weighs a lot more than your tank.

[CarlosS]

eznet2u

Thanks for your fast response. Do you know what wood size of wood i need to keep? or how will need to be this stand?

[addo]

If you think there is risk of corrosion, doesnt that mean you have a humidity problem?

That is just as bad for wood as for steel, so I think you should go with the material you feel most at home with and make sure to avoid humidity/saltcreep.

[CarlosS]

addo:

I think my big problem is saltcreep:my current stand is very corroed. I dont want same problem. and some drops of salt water

[jnarowe]

I have a 1000g tank on a wood stand:



It is built out of 4 x 4 material and there's a lot of posts as you can see. There are some other considerations:

1. In an earthquake area, wood may be better. Metal has a very high initial stability, but when it fails, it fails bad. Wood is more flexible and can bend back. Like having a better mechanical memory.

2. There is virtually no room for equipment under a wood stand like mine. In fact the only thing under my tank are a couple of blowers and the return lines.

3. Metal can provide a lot more room, of course, but you could use a combination of materials. Sanjay built a stand out of cement block and steel beams that turned out pretty damn nice.

If you are not in an earthquake area, why not consider other materials like reinforced concrete?

[Stealth91RT]

You could use 2x4's or 2x6's horizontally but I would use 2x6's or 4x4's vertically and make sure if it's a long or wide tank to use some type of center bracing like jnarowe's stand because any more than about two feet of space and the horizontal beams could bend over time.

[johno4]

This has been debated here many times 2x4 wood is more than you would need to support your tank. Most commercial stand are soley 3/4" plywood.

[jnarowe]

That's true. For a 140g tank, marine grade plywood and a 2 x 4 frame would be good. The link below is to a local guy who has built a superb wood stand IMO. I link the thread because he discusses how he builds a waterproof pan into the stand.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1269006

[CarlosS]

Originally posted by jnarowe
That's true. For a 140g tank, marine grade plywood and a 2 x 4 frame would be good. The link below is to a local guy who has built a superb wood stand IMO. I link the thread because he discusses how he builds a waterproof pan into the stand.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1269006

Hi guys you really made a desicion for me, I will go with wood, but marine grade?????, I dont think I can get this kind of wood here in Vnezuela. I am sure I could get a 4x4 pine wood, but marine? no man.

What kind of cover I could use for paint?

My tank will be aprox, 60 long x 24 high x 27 depth a littlke bit more that 150 gals

[jnarowe]

In Caracas? I would bet you can get just about any kind of very moisture resistant wood you want. Marine Grade plywood is just made with better glues from what I understand. I wouldn't use pine though. I would use seasoned hardwood if I could.

You can paint the stand with a variety of epoxies, varethanes, etc. Anything used in the marine business, like bilge paint I used for my tank room walls would work well also. You could fiberglass it as well. I really like the idea of the waterproof well Kannin made inside the bottom of his stand. That makes a lot of sense.

[CarlosS]

jnarowe:

Yeap, Caracas Venezuela. You are right, I just need to look for a little bit, and I am sure I could get a good stuff. I will get some recomendation for the person that will build the stand, he knows what kind of wood I could get for this area.

[CarlosS]

Another question:

How high could I make this stand?, I know that lower the best, but I want something nice to see, considering that the main tank will be 26" high

[jnarowe]

As high as you want. You can anchor it to a wall as well.

[CarlosS]

alright

[beaglelax]

i build my 535 gallon with lvl (wood beams that are stronger and more flexable then steal) so i say wood plus the wood cost should be alot then steal

[CarlosS]

You are right, but do any maintenance to steal is very bad.

[Fiziksgeek]

I think the reason more people don't use steel is simply because most people don't know how to weld, or even have access to a welder. If you already have a welder, or a friend who does, the steel itself is fairly inexpensive.

Wood can be cheaper (but not always) and most people have the tools needed to work with it. I see two real downsides to wood. First, it is actually kinda hard to get a flat surface using wood. Don't confuse level with flat, they are two different thing. The second is reduced space below the tank, and possibly difficult access to the equipment you do put there.

If properly built and treated, you wont have a rusting problem with steel. The materials will be smaller in dimension, because steel is stronger. And its easy to add in features like leveling feet!

Just my opinion.

-Kenn

[CarlosS]

Originally posted by Fiziksgeek
I think the reason more people don't use steel is simply because most people don't know how to weld, or even have access to a welder. If you already have a welder, or a friend who does, the steel itself is fairly inexpensive.

Wood can be cheaper (but not always) and most people have the tools needed to work with it. I see two real downsides to wood. First, it is actually kinda hard to get a flat surface using wood. Don't confuse level with flat, they are two different thing. The second is reduced space below the tank, and possibly difficult access to the equipment you do put there.

If properly built and treated, you wont have a rusting problem with steel. The materials will be smaller in dimension, because steel is stronger. And its easy to add in features like leveling feet!

Just my opinion.

-Kenn

The problem is not cost, the problem is that it is not easy treat the steel with a good paint against corrosion. IMO.

[Fiziksgeek]

Powder Coat...

[beaglelax]

powder coat gets expensive and u need a big oven

[Fiziksgeek]

They can also be made in smaller sections that bolt together. This will also allow you to get it in and out of the house through standard size doors.

Originally posted by beaglelax
powder coat gets expensive and u need a big oven

Originally posted by CarlosS
The problem is not cost.

[leoslizards]

I personally would make it out of steal. I got a powder coat gun but it'll be hard to find an oven big enough for it. Therefore use wood. I'm going to make one out of wood and a couple pieces of steal for my tank in about two months.

[BeanAnimal]

The material used will be dictated by yourt skillset and toolset. Either material is perfectly suitable. A good rust resistant coating is not that hard to apply. Powder coat is certainly nice, but not needed.

[dixonjk]

I plan to use the spray appliance epoxy or the stuff they use to do truck bedliners. I guess the only advantage to steel is the space savings, but it looks more professional to me. If money was not an issue I would use extruded T-slot frame. Which comes anidized. I have seen commercial tank stands made out of it.