Will 8020 T-Slot support 5000 lbs

[taylorjonl]

I am designing a tank stand for a 72x60x30 tank to be built in the next year. I used a tank calculator online to estimate that it will be about 5000 lbs after live rock and water. During my research I came across the following thread:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-synergy-reef-v2-official-build-48-x-36-x-30.221122/

The 8020 stuff is interesting because I can assembly it myself in place. This will be going in the basement and I am not sure I can get a fully assembled stand in there, the tank is going to be enough of a challenge. So I fired up Sketchup and designed this:

My primary concern is will this stand support 5000 lbs of weight?

 

[don_chuwish]

One 3ft tall 2x6 wood column can hold about 7000lbs in compression. I think 9 aluminum columns sharing 5000lbs will be fine. None of the beam spans are very long and you've gusseted the corners against racking nicely. But ideally you should get some technical data from the manufacturer on load ratings for the profiles you've selected.

 

[reefwiser]

You could always just ask them. https://www.8020.net/
I have seen many large tanks use 80/20 for stands.

 

[805reef]

I would email them and ask. When I was getting my 300 I asked them if I could use 8020 for a stand and they advised me not to.

 

[Velcro]

I've tried asking them in the past and they wouldn't make a recommendation for a reef tank.

 

[Rick.45cal]

They probably don't want the insurance liability of telling someone they can put several thousand pounds of highly corrosive/ electrically conductive liquid up on top of their product inside of their homes.

I'd send them the picture and ask if it is reasonable to support a maximum load of 5000lbs. Don't tell them what it is for. See what they say

 

[taylorjonl]

So I did the math:

15 Series 8 Hole - Gusseted Inside Corner Bracket
https://8020.net/shop/4338-black.html
$171.20 = $10.70 x 16

15 Series & Ready Tube 4 Hole - Tall Gusseted Inside Corner Bracket
https://8020.net/shop/4336-black.html
$491.52 = $7.68 x 64

15 Series & Ready Tube 7 Hole - Tee Flat Plate
https://8020.net/shop/4312-black.html
$87.84 = $10.98 x 8

15 Series & Ready Tube 7 Hole - 90 Degree Angled Squared Flat Plate
https://8020.net/shop/4352-black.html
$159.84 = $9.99 x 16

1.50” X 3.00” T-Slotted Profile - Six Open T-Slots
https://8020.net/shop/1530-black.html
$410.88 = $1.07 x 384

1.50” X 1.50” T-Slotted Profile - Four Open T-Slots
https://8020.net/shop/1515-black.html
$431.88 = $0.61 x 708
-----------------------------------------------------------------
$1753.16​

That is before any hardware, which is probably another $200. Absolutely out of the question.... So now to figure out if I want to use steel or wood, just not sure I can get a pre-built steel stand into my basement.

 

[Rick.45cal]

That's a bit pricey, but not surprising. I'd just build it myself out of wood, but I've got a custom woodshop.

 

[taylorjonl]

I may have no choice, I just measured my window(the only way to get something this large into my basement), it will not fit a 40" height. Now I need to figure out a stand design that will support the weight and still give me plenty of room to accommodate some equipment under the tank. Will 4x6 in a similar design above support 5000 lbs?

 

[Rick.45cal]

Yeah man if you have the tools just build it out of wood.

 

[don_chuwish]

That price is just stunning. I didn't want to spend that much for a tank even.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

I wouldn't be as worried about the pressure from top down but the pressure from the sides. Like if you're leaning into the tank to clean it and push a little from the side.

 

[Reef4Rose]

8020 uses a network of distributors. Those distributors have designers. I received a quote for one of those designers for my 250 gal which will end up somewhere south of 3500 pounds. When I asked about the weight he said it should be fine. The 8020 profile used was the 1530 which is 1.5x3. For 5000 pounds you may want to use the 3" square profile at least for main supports. The quote process is free took about a week to get pricing. For my 78.75Lx31.5Dx36H with leveling feet is 1125.00.

 

[Patrick Ryan]

We are designer/distributor for 80/20, and the stand shown uses a lot of expensive gussets and plates. If you want that steam punk look - then this is the way to go, but we build stands for heavy aquariums that cost less. A lot of people focus on compression strength which is only one part of the equation. Wood has pretty good compression strength but it is very weak when the weight shifts up top - screws can pull out with way much less force than the compression strength. In any structure - you should focus in on the weakest link. With wood - its the fastener strength and the horizontal beams - especially over time where humidity levels and moisture can radically reduce their capability. I would probably never recommend an aluminum t-slot stand for a 20 gallon tank, as wood is much more cost effective and plenty safe. But as you get up into the 1,000 - 4,000, 90 - 300 gallon tanks, I would definitely recommend that people consider setting aside a certain % of their overall investment for a good safe stand. Makes no sense to me when people tell me about their $10,000 aquarium, but say that spending $1,000 on a stand is way too much. If you live in earthquake prone areas, you also need to really think about side-to-side strength as this is the worse case scenario you need to protect your investment from. This means extremely strong fasteners to ensure the vertical bars stay vertical. Here is simple version (black anodized) which would cost less....

 

[reefwiser]

Do you design and then sell the end user the parts needed for an Aquarium stand?

 

[Greybeard]

Before you make a final decision, call your local steel supplier, tell them that you're looking to have a small steel fabrication job done, and ask them who they would recommend. Call _that_ shop, and ask them to bid on a stand, to your spec. Do a sketchup drawing, with measurements... figure out what kind of stock you want to use. You may be surprised at the response.

I had a local fab shop build a stand for my 140g tank, 60.5" x 30.5" x 33" high, 1.5" 11 gauge square tube steel. Their quote (mill scale, no finish), was less than a third of what the tank manufacturer wanted for a steel stand, plus, I didn't need to pay shipping. Called a local powder coat company, they charged me a hundred bucks to sand blast the mill scale off, and powder coat it gloss black. Stand is strong, stable, looks good, and will last practically forever. I spent less, in total, than I would have spent on the wood to build it myself.

 

[Doug B]

You can build a stand out of wood, for somewhere around $100 that will do the trick. I have a 180 supported on a homemade stand using 2x6, with no center support (for ease of access to the sump). Been sitting there for years. I used the plans from "The King of DIY" on youtube. Works great, no special tools needed, and everything you need to build it is available at home depot. Windows and door sizes don't matter...you just carry the boards in one at a time and build it in place.

 

[Mortie31]

Another alternative diy solution that you can get in your basement

 

[Reef4Rose]

I started down the 8020 path. Ended with a fabricator. You could probably have it built in a modular fashion. If you can get the tank in you will be able to get the stand in. The guy who built mine was about 25% cheaper than 8020. When you request a quote from 8020 they will put you in touch with a local distributor. They will put together a CAD, parts list and quote.

 

[yen le]

I started down the 8020 path. Ended with a fabricator. You could probably have it built in a modular fashion. If you can get the tank in you will be able to get the stand in. The guy who built mine was about 25% cheaper than 8020. When you request a quote from 8020 they will put you in touch with a local distributor. They will put together a CAD, parts list and quote.

Hi Reef4Rose, I am thinking about getting the 200XL system too. It's such a stunning aquarium. Have you completed your setup yet? Mind if you can share what it looks like? Thanks Yen