Stand for 500 gallon tank

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

Hey guys

I’m throwing around ideas for a stand for a L120” x w36” tank.

can I use concrete blocks with steel on top, RSJ type of thing, or strong box section?

Would this even be a “cheaper” option? Than a steel stand...
aluminium is to costly and don’t fancy using wood for such a long tank..

Would I just stack them or would they need mortaring?

Stand doesn’t need to be pretty as not going to be seen, and underneath will not be used as sump is going elsewhere
Anyone done this?

Thanks in advance

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

Thinking about it, I don’t think I’d need the steel, could be just blocks and plywood...just worked out the quantity need for solid blocks 7N mms)and would be 88, but that’s quite a bit of weight, over 1000kg!

Can I use breeze blocks (the hollow ones) they say 7N the same but are half the weight, plus need half the quantity

I have no ide what force a 500 gallon tank this size is in Newton’s ‍

 

[theatrus]

What’s the risk for any seismic activity?

Masonry blocks are wonderful, until the force vector is no longer straight down.

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

What’s the risk for any seismic activity?

Masonry blocks are wonderful, until the force vector is no longer straight down.

I’m in the UK so pretty much zero..(never say never though the way things have been this year lol)

Would the “lighter” blocks be ok? Or even the ones with the two square holes in them?

Thanks

 

[Thaxxx]

I've always wondered why people don't use block and plywood for their stands (low stand) for big tanks when they have their sumps in a basement or fish room.

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

I can do the stand for less than $250 this way...a wooden one would be $400 + hours of work, a steel stand is $800 and an aluminium one is more than the tank itself!

Hopefully this will work out

 

[Hugh Mann]

You could calculate the estimated weight of the tank, and thus the force on the tank, but I would imagine with enough blocks you'd be just fine. More so if you splurged for quality plywood.

If you have a fabrication shop nearby, they could probably make a steel stand for pretty cheap too.

It's only a 55 gallon, but my stand is made exactly how you described, masonry blocks with plywood in between. Creates a pretty convenient shelf too.

 

[theatrus]

Concrete blocks are supposed to be a minimum of 1000-1500 psi (pounds/square in) compressive force, which is pretty massive. Any amount should be fine, so do any calculations based on the plywood top for deflection and for where to place the blocks.

You can try to use this to do beam calculations, assuming spans are "fixed at the side" and insert load as needed for the thickness:

The Sagulator – WoodBin

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

Thanks for replies..I will be using this method, I will use blocks around the whole perimeter of the tank and then at regular intervals of the formed rectangle, probably every 2ft...I will than add a double layer of hardwood plywood and call it done....
any suggestions on what to place under such a large tank, still polystyrene etc?

 

[jpas]

Hello, here is my stand, it is 8’ x 3’

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

This was similar to my first idea, are they 2x4s?are they solid blocks or the ones with holes in them? Are you putting any centre support?

 

[jpas]

The top is made of 2X6s with standard cinder blocks

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

Seems my idea may be a little over engineered then with blocks the whole way round..

 

[biecacka]

Any other pics of this method? I would imagine you could “skin” the blocks somehow if you wanted?

corey

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

Could box round them in wood or paint them...in my application it won’t be seen so it’s not a issue

 

[biecacka]

Could drywall them! Haha


Corey

 

[jsantoli]

8’ is a long span without any support in the center?

 

[BrandonS]

8’ is a long span without any support in the center?

That's what I was thinking. 500 gallons of water is what 4000lbs? Plus rock. Wonder the span load of sistered 2*6

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

I personally would have a centre support the same as the sides

 

[jsantoli]

I did carpentry for 9 years and that span made me a bit nervous just looking at the picture. Maybe if there were some teco brackets holding up the other 2x6 brackets to the sistered 2x6’s. That would maybe carry and disperse some of the load