Has anyone made their own aluminum extruded stand?

[afboundguy]

In my constant quest to improve on the setup I was planning a desk/stand setup for the tank and sump and while looking at ideas several setups popped up about DIY aluminum extrusion stands and it got me to thinking. I used tinkercad to design a rough idea and I like that it adds flexibility and easy customization compared to a wooden stand. I know @BiGGiePauls33 and others have aluminum extruder stands but I was curious if anyone has ever made one themselves?

I am looking to use 3030 bar and I was going to try and do a "floating" shelf for my 10 gallon tank and I wasn't sure if that would be strong enough? I had thought about using 80/20 as that is just a tad stronger but man it is triple the cost of 3030!

Here is a quick sketch I made of the set up I was thinking of doing that involved the 80/20 to hold up the 10 gallon tank. I found some free .stl files for the 3030, 2020 and 80/20 so I was able to create it pretty easily. It's not perfect by any means but I wanted to get a rough design so I could figure out how much I would need to try and get a rough cost. It appears like it would be a little under $500 including the aluminum pieces, angle brackets and various connecting pieces and does not include panels...

Orange containers top shelfs are phytoplankton cultures that I would want to display. Orange ones under are the copepod cultures. Tank is on the right with sump underneath. 10 gallon tank is elevated and the 5.5 gallon ATO reservoir is bottom left and plan would be to make that section into drawers/storage area.

 

[NeverlosT]

I made my own. The thing that kills the budget are the connectors. Even the cheap ones arent so cheap. They suck you in with the extrusions and then get you with the connectors.

I'd be happy to review your design. Gussets would be key for your 10g tank platform.

Stoked to see it come to life!

 

[afboundguy]

I made my own. The thing that kills the budget are the connectors. Even the cheap ones arent so cheap. They suck you in with the extrusions and then get you with the connectors.

I'd be happy to review your design. Gussets would be key for your 10g tank platform.

Stoked to see it come to life!

The connectors have been driving up the cost in my quest to price it out! I am probably overkilling it and putting multiple connectors at most joints but we'll see!

And I am stoked as well! Depending on how much holiday money I get for gifts will have a direct correlation to how fast I start the process!

When you did yours did you use an aluminum specific blade on the saw?

 

[NeverlosT]

The connectors have been driving up the cost in my quest to price it out! I am probably overkilling it and putting multiple connectors at most joints but we'll see!

And I am stoked as well! Depending on how much holiday money I get for gifts will have a direct correlation to how fast I start the process!

When you did yours did you use an aluminum specific blade on the saw?

I think i used a 60tooth metal specific blade on my chopsaw. Ill look. I used fancy connectors because I’m a geek and it drive the cost up :/

 

[afboundguy]

I think i used a 60tooth metal specific blade on my chopsaw. Ill look. I used fancy connectors because I’m a geek and it drive the cost up :/

Too fancy for me. I was just going to use the simple 90 degree small brackets with a few of the thick faceplates!

 

[Kens Bees]

I used 25mm, and didn’t think it through when I chose it. Make sure that whatever size profile you select you can get the connectors you WANT, rather than be stuck using the ones you can get. I ended up hating those corner brackets because they broke up the lines.

I didn’t get all fancy like Neverlost did (overachiever ) but did buy a metal specific blade for the chop saw which makes a huge difference. The hidden connectors in Ben’s are the look I wanted but I couldn’t justify the ever increasing cost.

That sketchup you’ve done is amazing!!!

 

[afboundguy]

I used 25mm, and didn’t think it through when I chose it. Make sure that whatever size profile you select you can get the connectors you WANT, rather than be stuck using the ones you can get. I ended up hating those corner brackets because they broke up the lines.

I didn’t get all fancy like Neverlost did (overachiever ) but did buy a metal specific blade for the chop saw which makes a huge difference. The hidden connectors in Ben’s are the look I wanted but I couldn’t justify the ever increasing cost.

That sketchup you’ve done is amazing!!!

See I don't mind the look of the 90 braces. I also plan to add doors which would hide some of the braces. I am sure the doors/panels would be a long way away lol

 

[DatReefGuy]

The design looks great! Although, you guys are brave. I would be afraid of water spills and salt creep on stuff below. Haha.

 

[afboundguy]

@NeverlosT and @Kens Bees what size extrusion did you use? I was curious if 2020 would suffice for my plans which would save me hundreds compared to 3030. I only have a 35 gallon cube but ideally if I ever upgrade a tank I could just use the same stand.

@Cpage101 found this PDF and all I can determine in my beyond exhausted allowable load has higher numbers for 3030 compared to 2020!

 

[nicks3729]

I used 3030 for my 75 gallon stand. Very strong and sturdy.

 

[Kens Bees]

I used single 25mm. I would recommend going larger. I think most profiles have double or quadruples that fit the same connectors. So, a 2020 becomes an 8080 that will still marry with 2020 profiles and couplers. If you look at some of the Tidal Garden videos you can see his are much wider than a standard.

Also, you can order most of these extrusions online through Graingers and pickup locally. You get longer lengths without gettin whacked for over size shipping fees.

 

[NeverlosT]

Many of the profiles also come in light and heavy duty versions. I used heavy duty 4545 and 4590 from framing tech just to never worry about anything. There are frame loading calculators online you can use to see what deflection or stress would be on various extrusions too.

 

[Cpage101]

Many of the profiles also come in light and heavy duty versions. I used heavy duty 4545 and 4590 from framing tech just to never worry about anything. There are frame loading calculators online you can use to see what deflection or stress would be on various extrusions too.

could you share the link