Questions for 80/20 stand

[dputt88]

About to be setting up a 240 gal glass aquarium (72×30×25). I recently heard about 8020 and am considering it for my stand but have a couple questions.

What size framing will I need? I know this will be dependent on the design as well.

Do I need center supports? How many?

What type of connectors should I use?

Most importantly does someone have a design of an 8020 stand they build for a similar tank?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[dputt88]

No love? Anyone out there have design or engineering experience with 8020?

 

[siggy]

Morning, I been using 80/20 for 25 years great stuff, they have a great web site with eng. Specs and designe calculater also their CS is top notch, get the right guy and he'll design it but get ready the cost will approach 1k mabey more with all the bells and whistles. 80/20 IS APPROVED for Gages, automaton & tooling.
A cost alternative is Jacob Safety by ABB and is a guarding material and we now use for stands carts and less demading projects. Hope this helps GL

 

[Patrick Ryan]

Our company designs and builds aquarium stands using 80/20 aluminum t-slot extrusions. We offer discounts. If you have any questions, I will do my best to give you answers without a sales pitch. Aluminum t-slot costs more than wood, but offers much better strength, utility and flexibility in the future. Here are a few decisions you will need to make:

• Less bigger bars, or more smaller bars (verticals) to support the weight?
• On longer stands you will need 6 verticals instead of 4. And if you don't want a middle vertical in the front, you will need a taller horizontal bar across on the top.
• Leveling feet or shims - leveling feet are better, but they cost a little more. Don't forget to figure the leveling feet into the overall height of the vertical bars - otherwise it may be taller than you expect.
• We recommend non-wood tops - choose from ABS, HDPE or Phenolic Resin like Trespa Top Lab Plus (Lab Quality). Also don't forget about the lower shelf, which you will probably need.
• Internal fasteners, external plates or both. Internal fasteners are the best method, but some people like the industrial look of external plates?
• Clear anodizing for the traditional aluminum look, or something like black anodizing (black anodizing costs about 15% more)?

There are no limits to how big of an aquarium you can build with 80/20; for a 240 gallon tank, you will need something that can handle 2,500 - 3,000 lbs. fully loaded. So we would recommend the 3" x 3" extrusions in an expanded configuration (6 verticals) for the size you are building, with double anchor fasteners and possibly corner gussets or corner plates. An estimate for that type of frame would be around $1,000 without the feet or the top. Easy to carry downstairs and build in the basement. Shoot me an email and I can have a design drawn up with a specific quote.

[email protected]

 

[siggy]

@dputt88 How is the stand coming along ? , I now see that your a hometown boy, let me know if you require any assistance. FYI the metro DET distributor for 80/20 is AUTOCRAFT on Fruit st. in Algonac.

 

[drtrash]

Just started my build and rebuild great product, no way are you going to get this build for $1000 lucky to get it done for $1500

 

[dputt88]

i went with wood. i really wanted aluminum but the cost is absolutely crazy for this purpose.

 

[drtrash]

Best thing about 8020 is you just have to change a few pieces to go from a 3 ft to a 5 ft so In away maybe last stand you buy

 

[dputt88]

Too bad I didn't now about autocraft sooner, they welcome customers to their warehouse which is really coveinient if you are like me and don' know exactly what you're looking for. I'm already $140into my wood stand though.

Here is the build thread.