80/20 T-Slotted Quick Frame

booth2010 · Mar 3, 2016

So I plan on setting up a 75g tank. I see more and more people using 80/20 and I figured if I use it on the 75 when I upgrade I can possibly reuse some of the pieces to save some money.

My question is if I use the 1.5"x1.5" T-Slotted 80/20 will I need support pieces in the center of the 4ft span or should it be okay with just the uprights in each corner? I will be connecting the pieces with the Gusseted Inside Corner Brackets, will that be strong enough to hold it together or should I throw some 45º pieces on the joints as well and if I do should I go with 18" or 24" ones? It will be an open frame with the sump in the garage.

Links for everything im talking about:
https://8020.net/shop/1515-s-black-fb.html
https://8020.net/shop/4332-black.html
https://8020.net/shop/2537-black.html

reefwiser · Mar 4, 2016

I would get the 45 degree brackets to give it a tighter joint.

booth2010 · Mar 4, 2016

reefwiser said:
I would get the 45 degree brackets to give it a tighter joint.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking too. Cant be too safe. Being only a 4ft span and if I do the 24" long 45º brackets I don't think the long pieces will bow at all. One of the builds Reef Savvy is doing I think is using 80/20 and it didn't look like they had many extra support spots. Im sure its larger 80/20 though.

Anyone else have any opinions on the matter?

ReefWithCare · Mar 10, 2016

I'm definitely following this. I've been debating T-Slots vs. Quick Frames for a 40B setup. I think for a 4 foot tank and up I would consider T-Slots.

Have you checked with a distributor to get some additional insights? I've been having a heck of a time trying to reach out to 80/20 and their distributors for tech assistance, but have not gotten anywhere.

You can go to this video below by BRS - at 2:47 you can see them setup a Vertex stand. They are not using 45 degree brackets, but the corner brackets instead. They have a 45 at the top of the stand though. There is a support beam in the back, but no support beam in the front so you have an open entry to the cabinet. The example is a 4 foot tank 120 gallon tank

reefwiser · Mar 10, 2016

If you look closely at the bottom you will see the 45 degree pieces.

ReefWithCare · Mar 15, 2016

I got quoted over $900 for a T-Frame for a 36" wide setup...that doesn't sound right based on other stories I have heard on the forums. They said they need 3" size to support the weight when I gave them the weight of the tank (took 40 gallon tank +20 gallon sump x 9 lbs = 540 lbs

booth2010 · Mar 16, 2016

ReefWithCare said:
I got quoted over $900 for a T-Frame for a 36" wide setup...that doesn't sound right based on other stories I have heard on the forums. They said they need 3" size to support the weight when I gave them the weight of the tank (took 40 gallon tank +20 gallon sump x 9 lbs = 540 lbs

Wow! Who gave you the quote? They may have said you needed 3" just to be safe. I have been trying to find other builds who have used 80/20 but I cant find them. I know theyre here.. somewhere... lol

ReefWithCare · Mar 16, 2016

I got another quote that was close to $800 before shipping. I'm not sure how Synergy was doing it for so much less on their trend. This isn't for a huge tank - just a 40G breeder. I just want to do aluminum instead of wood XD.

Jlobes · Mar 16, 2016

a while back, i mentioned to synergy that they should start selling/distributing this product to reefers, maybe now there is more interest/possibility.

@mixer911 wheres the best place to swoop this product??

blitz49 · Mar 16, 2016

Is synergy using 3" T-slotted too? Anyways take a look at 80/20's ebay listing, maybe pricing is better.

Jlobes · Mar 16, 2016

3" square? thats serious overkill if you ask me.....

ReefWithCare · Mar 16, 2016

I know - I feel the same way - I'm just not familiar with the tool 80/20 provides you so I let the local shop deal with the tech specs. I wasn't sure how thick to go on the t-slots. A little lost here :-/.

Yes - Synegy stated they use T-Slots and they used 80 20 brands. I'm well aware that 80 20 is the more expensive brand, but I like how they cut the stuff for you.

ReefWithCare · Mar 16, 2016

Got a reply back from the shop with the $800 quote before shipping. They are using 1.5x3.0 for the top and 1.5x1.5 on the sides and bottom. They told me they built this so that the top of the frame can handle a 500 lb load. Shipping would be about $125.

blitz49 · Mar 16, 2016

You could buy pre-cut 24" to 96" long and just buy the accessories. Probably cost under $500 or $600. Downside is you can only build the stand to pre-cut size.

marcoss · Mar 31, 2016

The cost of 80/20 is very misleading and rather costly. The bars themselves are not bad; locally we around $40 bucks for a ten foot 2" piece. The problem comes when you assemble the dang thing.

Each bolt and connector seems to be a couple of bucks. Before you know it you have hundreds of dollars in bolts and way less in actual lengths of it.

Marcos