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I'm building a kitchen/bar in my unused basement area, and want to incorporate my 180 gallon saltwater aquarium into the design.

Before I decide on a design, I wanted to ask for advice/opinions on viability of this design.

I have never welded, and have other metal-working projects I want to take on, so before I purchase equipment, I wanted to get advice on this project as well. Moving forward, I'd like to work with aluminum so part of my question is what materials can/should I use if this design is sound.

Thing it needs to hold:

  • This will weigh roughly 2000lbs when filled.

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Design:

  • Is this design strong enough to hold the weight of tank?
    • Can this design be simplified?
  • What materials should I use?

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Intended Usage:

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  • The usage is to be mounted above a countertop in the kitchen area
  • Safety is obviously a concern, this will be suspended above a work space. I want to know that both the inhabitants of the tank, and the inhabitants of the house are safe.
  • This can be mounted directly into the basement walls and floor, both of which are concrete.
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  • $\begingroup$ You will not be able to weld aluminum without training and special equipment, not the garden variety welding equipment used for steel. I suggest wood. I have built a cantilever stand for 40 gal, with wood, no problem., $\endgroup$
    – blacksmith37
    Commented Dec 19, 2022 at 16:20
  • $\begingroup$ @blacksmith37 I haven't ruled out wood entirely, but I haven't been able to figure out to calculate the sag to feel confident. $\endgroup$
    – Adola
    Commented Dec 19, 2022 at 16:46
  • $\begingroup$ What are the dimensions of the aquarium ? The length of the cantilever-like shelf will strongly affect strain/sag. Another consideration with aluminum is the traditional filler metals are low strength - will not harden. $\endgroup$
    – blacksmith37
    Commented Dec 19, 2022 at 20:34
  • $\begingroup$ The aquarium is 6' long, and 2' tall, and 2' deep. $\endgroup$
    – Adola
    Commented Dec 19, 2022 at 20:39

1 Answer 1

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No this will not work unless supported like truss bridge.

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Even this 500 lb shelf would collapse enter image description here

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