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DIY Project Extruded Alumium stand

FrozenShivers

FrozenShivers

Member
Joined
1 Apr 2022
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873
Location
Scotland
Hello guys, I have a 120x50x50cm tank currently being made, I plan to make an extruded aluminium stand for it (and skin it externally at some point). I saw there was a thread here a couple years ago which was a useful read. I have made a stand with a shelf in some free CAD software using 4040 profile. I've contacted the company but haven't heard back yet to make sure my order is correct, I plan to use anchor connectors since it seems they are very strong, they are also inside the profile which will allow me to skin externally without no profile showing. Do I need to buy x46 anchor connectors? I have 23 pieces of profile in my basket, if I get each end machined to accept anchor connectors, then it's as easy as 23x2=46...right? Any advice is much appreciated.
 

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Might draft up an order elsewhere, I received a reply back from the company and for having been in business over 25 years, their reply doesn't fill me with much faith.

"For the below project, that weight exceeds the limit advised for 40x40. I would recommend using a much larger profile such as P.N 1.11.40.080160.12. with these numbers to be a constant load rating the profile and accessories are going to be under a lot of stress, so I’d recommend going over size."

So an all in, 350-400KG tank requires 80x160 profile?....right.
 
Aqua sobriquet said:
I’m sure I’ve seen commercial Aquarium stands somewhere using alloy extrusions? May be worth doing a search to see what size they use.
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Tidal Gardens has an amazing commercial setup, all with alu stands, they are fairly large profile but also far larger tanks. I’ve ordered my stand from elsewhere, will update how it goes once I get it 🙂
 
@FrozenShivers - where are you getting your tank made? Sounds like a 4ft beast!
 
Bradders said:
@FrozenShivers - where are you getting your tank made? Sounds like a 4ft beast!
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It's being made by Premier Aquatics, seem to be a very well regarded shop in general and the price was fair, the catch is they don't deliver to Scotland so I need to buy some ratchet straps etc as I'm going to have to collect it and drive it back home...which gives me the fear 😱. Most off the shelf tanks weren't the exact 120x50x50 I was after, with many being too large front to back etc so I went custom. Fingers crossed the silicone work is solid.
 
Depends on your budget but Vention have a handy online CAD tool and are helpful for design questions. Might be worth a look. The other classic in the UK are MBS (machine build systems) who are distributors for item extrusion. A bit more effort to communicate with but still helpful. Both of these are industrial companies though, so likely to be more pricey than a more diy solution
 
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richardcunliffe said:
Depends on your budget but Vention have a handy online CAD tool and are helpful for design questions. Might be worth a look. The other classic in the UK are MBS (machine build systems) who are distributors for item extrusion. A bit more effort to communicate with but still helpful. Both of these are industrial companies though, so likely to be more pricey than a more diy solution
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I've ordered now from Motedis, but I'll keep them in mind for future, thank you.

dw1305 said:
Hi all,

It should be fine.

Ste Chesters has literally constructed thousands of tanks and he is definitely a <"fish-keeper with a shop">, not a <"shop-keeper with fish">.

cheers Darrel
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Yeah he seemed very nice when I contacted him, that's reassuring to hear!
 
Stand is mostly made, any advice on what to use under the tank itself? I was going to use marine ply (before the levelling mat) but not sure how thick to go?
 
24mm would be my choice in a decent quality ply, don't think I would risk going down to 18mm. Marine is obviously good for the extra water protection, but not strictly neccessary, either type will still need to be well sealed with several coats of waterproof finish.

If you don't like the plywood layers effect on the edge, the real wood veneer iron on edging tape is very good and easy to apply (if there is an electric iron handy).

An extra thick wood base can look good too, just use two layers of 24mm ply glued and screwed together and edge with 50mm Pre-glued Iron On Real Wood Edging or similar. (Or two layers of 18mm if you wanted a 36mm base etc)

​

 
Maf 2500 said:
24mm would be my choice in a decent quality ply, don't think I would risk going down to 18mm. Marine is obviously good for the extra water protection, but not strictly neccessary, either type will still need to be well sealed with several coats of waterproof finish.

If you don't like the plywood layers effect on the edge, the real wood veneer iron on edging tape is very good and easy to apply (if there is an electric iron handy).

An extra thick wood base can look good too, just use two layers of 24mm ply glued and screwed together and edge with 50mm Pre-glued Iron On Real Wood Edging or similar. (Or two layers of 18mm if you wanted a 36mm base etc)

​

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Aqua sobriquet said:
Unless you’re expecting leaks?!😆 I would go for good quality Birch Ply. You can always seal the edges.

Edit: If you want something really solid Delignit (or Panzerholz) are made from compressed Beech Plywood without any voids.

https://www.delignit.de/fileadmin/downloads/prospekte/Prospekt_Delignit_Kunstharzpressholz_EN.pdf
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Thank you both! I will investigate both options, also looking at HDPE or UMHW I think it's called? Seen some reefers using it with their metal stands.
 
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