Unistrut for a stand?

jhflemm · Feb 23, 2018

I’ve seen a lot of new builds but I don’t see anyone using unistrut for the stand.

I’m thinking of building a unistrut stand for a 90-gallon build.

Am I missing anything?
Has anyone built a unistrut stand?
Lessons learned?

Sierra_Bravo · Feb 23, 2018

I suppose you could use unistrut and rig it fairly solid, but you'd have a hard time protecting it from corrosion without taking it to be powder coated (edit - you can get uni in aluminum and stainless also). If you want a DIY metal stand without welding you could look into T-slot or 80/20 extruded aluminum:

https://www.google.com/search?q=80/20+aquarium+stand&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=0r9W2GYyVnu1LM%3A%2Ceu7nV1fSDnrFEM%2C_&usg=__zTzGFlajoL82HB2JQc7n4zXkkc8=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwighJuHxbzZAhUPZawKHZTeBO0Q9QEIKzAA#imgrc=0r9W2GYyVnu1LM:

jhflemm · Feb 23, 2018

I hadn’t considered the rust side. I have some that is painted with a green paint but not sure it’s rust proof.

I have 100’ in my garage so looking at this specifically given what I have on hand and don’t have to buy new.

Sierra_Bravo · Feb 23, 2018

I fully understand trying to use materials you already have. If it's green it probably already has powder coating - check the slots on it and make sure they are painted as well. You'd have to seal all your cuts with paint. At some point somewhere down the road, however, I bet you are still going to get some corrosion.

I guess it all depends on how big of a tank? If you are just trying to do a 55 gal tank stand that's a different beast than something more permanent like a 220g.