8020 light canopy

[minus9]

I’m currently resetting my tank and I’m going to replace the canopy with 8020, but wanted to get a second opinion from those currently using 8020. I can use either 10 series (1”) or 30 series (1.18”), as the slot holding my current canopy is roughly 1 1/4”. I’ll be hanging two Reef Brite halide pendants and 4 Kessil 360x’s in the corners, so the only weight will be the 1/2” walnut plywood that I’ll use as a facade on three sides, roughly 6” or 7” high. My guess is total weight 10 to 12lbs. The main supports will be 62” high and there will be two 37” pieces that attach to them with anchor bolts (double counter bore). I’ll attach another piece in front 36” long, then two pieces on both sides 35” long, with two short pieces connecting them towards the back to the center (37” pieces). Any concerns with 10 series or should I just use 30 series and be done with it?
Here’s the current canopy for reference, so you’ll see how the new canopy will replicate the same construction, kind of. I’m going with black anodized, so there’sa slight jump in cost with the 30 series.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Not quite able to visualize your description, might help with a quick sketch. Either way, there are a number of load calculators online to assist with this.

 

[theatrus]

1/2" ply can add up quite a bit in weight, not sure 10-12lbs will hold that estimate. Since its just a veneer, would stepping down to 1/8"/3mm help?

The extrusion is likely fine, but the connectors matter. What connectors are you using at the critical points? How much sag is acceptable?

 

[minus9]

I'll try do to a sketchup and post later. I'm going with double counter bore anchors on the main supports and where the two main horizontal pieces connect with the front piece. The inside corners will most likely have 4 hole corner gussets. I can reinforce the right angle connections from the main supports with a 5 holes right angle bracket or I could use 45 degree 6" supports, but those are pretty pricey. I may do an 1/8" veneer if I can find matching grain for the walnut I'm using for the stand, otherwise, I'm using pieces cut from the stand panels to match. My gut is telling me to use 30 series, but if I can use 10 series with proper support, that would save a little bit of $$. But that's not my main concern.

 

[theatrus]

If the wood should match, then by all means match it.

Corner gussets are good. The best advice would be to simply calculate it out. Based on some rough numbers, deflection isn't a big deal:

Beam Deflection/Displacement Calculator | 80/20 Aluminum Extrusions

Use this calculator to determine the deflection or displacement of 80/20 T-Slots profiles with one fixed end, two fixed ends, or a load supported on both ends.

8020.net

 

[minus9]

Sorry for the crappy sketch, not quick enough with sketch up. As you can see, I have three small pieces that connect in the back. I can eliminate them by creating a square top piece with four pieces and putting that on top of the main pieces that run across the middle?

 

[minus9]

Btw, I got an email from a distributer about a price increase for 8020 that's going to take affect this week. Looks to be 14% to 17% increase across the board, so if you're planning on buying some stock, you may want to grab it soon to save some $$.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Your sketch is informative. Are you going to attach the rear horizontal 36" piece (which looks like it would be 34" due to the cuts) to the vertical supports or just the two "front to back 37" horizontal" pieces in the middle to the vertical supports? Are the two 62" vertical supports going to be attached to the stand near the top of the stand. This will come into play when using the calculator to determine deflection. Exactly which two profiles are you trying to compare? Try comparing different ones. Are you going with slots on all four sides, 3 sides, 2 sides or 1 side?
Just running a quick calculation for 37" beam length with an load evenly distributed, the 1010-Black is stronger than the 30-3030-Black-FB using 4 pieces front to back due to it's cross section dimensions.
If you just want a quick and easy answer though, since the difference in the calculated load deflections are less than 1/10th of an inch, I don't think it will really matter which one you use. Just my opinion.
(Curious, I wonder if it is possible to attach and trade SketchUp file through here.)

 

[minus9]

Your sketch is informative. Are you going to attach the rear horizontal 36" piece (which looks like it would be 34" due to the cuts) to the vertical supports or just the two "front to back 37" horizontal" pieces in the middle to the vertical supports? Are the two 62" vertical supports going to be attached to the stand near the top of the stand. This will come into play when using the calculator to determine deflection. Exactly which two profiles are you trying to compare? Try comparing different ones. Are you going with slots on all four sides, 3 sides, 2 sides or 1 side?
Just running a quick calculation for 37" beam length with an load evenly distributed, the 1010-Black is stronger than the 30-3030-Black-FB using 4 pieces front to back due to it's cross section dimensions.
If you just want a quick and easy answer though, since the difference in the calculated load deflections are less than 1/10th of an inch, I don't think it will really matter which one you use. Just my opinion.
(Curious, I wonder if it is possible to attach and trade SketchUp file through here.)

Thanks for responding, much appreciated. The two 62" pieces will fit into an existing slot designed for the previous canopy and runs about 32" in length (so the t slot will fit inside of these slots and be supported for half of their length). The two 37" pieces will attach to the 62" pieces and stretch across the tank front to back. The 36" piece will be the front piece that runs parallel to the front pane of glass and will attach to the two 37" pieces via double anchors. The side pieces are 35" long (with the offset of the front piece) will span just over 36" long on the sides, then I have a couple shorter piece connecting the 35" pieces to the 37" near the back. Sorry for the long winded version, but I'm not proficient enough in sketch up to draw this up quickly enough.
If I can get away with using 10 series, then I'll 3D print some sleeves for the 62" pieces so they are snug inside the existing slots to reduce any movement. And yes, 4 slots on the profiles. Hope this helps?

 

[Reefer Reboot]

So at this point, since there is not much difference in deflection, it would come down to a profile cost factor.
30-3030-Black-FB = $.94/ft
1010-S-Black-FB = $.60/ft
1010-Black = $.36/ft
1010-Black-FB = $.60/ft
I believe there is a clear winner here.

 

[minus9]

So at this point, since there is not much difference in deflection, it would come down to a profile cost factor.
30-3030-Black-FB = $.94/ft
1010-S-Black-FB = $.60/ft
1010-Black = $.36/ft
1010-Black-FB = $.60/ft
I believe there is a clear winner here.

Thanks! I figured this would be the case, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t overthinking it. I might add the short 45 degree supports if I feel that it needs it when I get everything put together. Thanks again for your input and guidance, much appreciated!
Happy new year!