Extruded Aluminum Stand vs Wood Stand

[KGV]

Here you go. The stand of the big tank is completely made out of wood and skinned with acrylic sheets. Wood is super easy to work with and a lot cheaper than aluminum. However, if I was planning an in-wall tank that’s gonna be staying out for 20 years or so I would most likely do aluminum or powder coated steel.

Nice! Is that the Giesemann fixture with LEDs or t5?

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

For the price of 80/20 aluminum go make yourself a steel stand out of angle iron. Lasts forever. Or have someone local fab one up if you don’t have tools. Way way cheaper


I like plywood too

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Nice! Is that the Giesemann fixture with LEDs or t5?

That’s the v12 so all led.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

8020.net for all the extrusions and fasteners. Their proprietary Anchor fasteners seem to be the strongest available that I was able to find. The leveling feet are 316 SS from McMaster Carr. The starboard was purchased locally and cutout with a water jet.

What size did you go with?

 

[csund]

What size did you go with?

15 series (1.5x1.5”)

 

[CBonito]

After going with aluminum extrusion myself, there is no way I will ever go back to anything else. No comparison. lol The black anodized is the way to go man. It's sweet.

*Don't just buy cut sections and try to gusset the pieces together. Have them machine for the proper fasteners or you will likely regret it and be very embarrassed. Gussets are not an attachment mechanism. They are a stability mechanism. I've seen a couple people do this now and they're gonna pay the price.* Ok, I had to say that because...people.

Get the leveling casters. If you ever need to move your tank, you can carefully roll it and set it back down on strong rubber feet. If you have a much larger tank like the gentleman above, don't get the casters because rolling a tank that large might be impossible and rolling it over an uneven floor would not be the thing to do.

And go bigger than you need. Because why not.

If there is any regret I have with mine it's that I cut it too close with my sump length and now I have to move the mounting channel in the lower extrusion more outboard so the side panels will fit. But I was greedy, so I'll take that and it's no problem. lol

I went with Alufab.

 

[Reign1]

Here you go. The stand of the big tank is completely made out of wood and skinned with acrylic sheets. Wood is super easy to work with and a lot cheaper than aluminum. However, if I was planning an in-wall tank that’s gonna be staying out for 20 years or so I would most likely do aluminum or powder coated steel.

Funny I was about to say ,”that looks like Viking “ scrolled up … lol

 

[Stang67]

I used Alufab to design my stand. Tidal Gardens has a great video explaining some of the pros and cons. I had them design it so I could slide in stained wood panels for the sides and doors. I was also able to design a light hanging system that attached to the frame as well.

 

[cloud9aquariums]

After going with aluminum extrusion myself, there is no way I will ever go back to anything else. No comparison. lol The black anodized is the way to go man. It's sweet.

*Don't just buy cut sections and try to gusset the pieces together. Have them machine for the proper fasteners or you will likely regret it and be very embarrassed. Gussets are not an attachment mechanism. They are a stability mechanism. I've seen a couple people do this now and they're gonna pay the price.* Ok, I had to say that because...people.

Get the leveling casters. If you ever need to move your tank, you can carefully roll it and set it back down on strong rubber feet. If you have a much larger tank like the gentleman above, don't get the casters because rolling a tank that large might be impossible and rolling it over an uneven floor would not be the thing to do.

And go bigger than you need. Because why not.

If there is any regret I have with mine it's that I cut it too close with my sump length and now I have to move the mounting channel in the lower extrusion more outboard so the side panels will fit. But I was greedy, so I'll take that and it's no problem. lol

I went with Alufab.

All awesome tips from learned experience! I have both wood and steel stands but not aluminum so Im looking to learn as much as possible before embarking! I'm definitely leaning this direction as it's a 250gal that I'm upgrading to and I'll be in it for quite awhile so I'd rather have a stand that's easy to customize as needed rather than go the quick and dirty budget route.

 

[cloud9aquariums]

I used Alufab to design my stand. Tidal Gardens has a great video explaining some of the pros and cons. I had them design it so I could slide in stained wood panels for the sides and doors. I was also able to design a light hanging system that attached to the frame as well.

Awesome looking stand! Any pictures of the lighting mount? I may go that route as well! I have an orphek osix 6 bar setup I'm currently running and would like to add 3 g4 radions down the middle for that extra punch for the added depth

 

[Stang67]

Awesome looking stand! Any pictures of the lighting mount? I may go that route as well! I have an orphek osix 6 bar setup I'm currently running and would like to add 3 g4 radions down the middle for that extra punch for the added depth

 

[CBonito]

I used Alufab to design my stand. Tidal Gardens has a great video explaining some of the pros and cons. I had them design it so I could slide in stained wood panels for the sides and doors. I was also able to design a light hanging system that attached to the frame as well.

I love the doors. very cool.

How did you mount the light brackets to the channel? I have the kessil mounts and I want to attach them to this stand, but I can't find tslot inserts to match the small mount screws, and the thing that sucks is that the holes in the brackets are 1.5" centers so they would be perfect for the channel otherwise.

 

[Stang67]

View of light supports from the back.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Funny I was about to say ,”that looks like Viking “ scrolled up … lol

Haha! I sure hope it does