Let's talk about aquarium cabinet/stand manufacturers... Who are they? Who do you recommend?

[Dodger]

Beautiful! The clear one with the cat. OmG! But my wife says no! Lol

To the cat or the stand! I want the cat ... but I am sure they will have lots of fun trying to get into the stand!!

 

[The Kings Chalice]

Gotta get a new tank now. I want an aluminum stand.

 

[A.bel]

PM me if you decide to go that route, ill help you on the cuts/what all is needed from zyltech and you could post pics of the assembly!

Interested.

 

[csund]

Controlled Dynamics I believe. I go through Chris to get everything but it was easier to call direct for my floating canopy design then play messenger back and forth.

Interesting, I never came across them when sourcing extrusions. The profiles do look nice but I wouldn’t say the quality is better than 8020. One major benefit to using 8020 is the anchor fasteners. They become very expensive to use when factoring machining and individual fastener cost but the added strength and the fact it’s hidden inside the profile I find worth it. It’s been awhile but I think each anchor fastener is good for 1100# in shear. I also did not want any exposed extrusions ends so I sandwiched my horizontals between the uprights. Each stand is topped with a 3/4” 6061 plate so not too worried. I actually jack my stands up (tanks full of water) and bolt castors to the sides and wheel them around when I want access to the back of the stands.

 

[csund]

 

[Peace River]

There are already some great recommendations in this thread! I think @Joe Glass Cages also does cabinets.

 

[Peace River]

T-Slot is surprisingly easy to work with, using Zyltech.com and getting custom cut pieces, its like playing with k'nex! WAY less expensive than T-Slot custom builders websites too...

Im gonna have to do a tutorial thread on my next stand build.

I agree with the previous comments - nice cat!

...also the tutorial on t-slot would be very useful! I keep thinking about it and have been inspired by @Tidal Gardens recent t-slot builds, but I still am a little bit tentative.

 

[dantimdad]

I switched to t slot and won't look back. Way too fun and, if you use zyltech, not much more than wood.

I have to add a few more plates and it's done.

I also did my bearded dragon setup out of it with integrated light rack

 

[borillion]

I use this in my 3D printer builds, and a vesa screen display but had never thought of putting together an aquarium stand with it. My concern is the screws as weak points, how much can a stand like this support.

Zyltech cut the extrusion for you? I didn't know they did that, usually just bought a kit.

 

[dantimdad]

I use this in my 3D printer builds, and a vesa screen display but had never thought of putting together an aquarium stand with it. My concern is the screws as weak points, how much can a stand like this support.

Zyltech cut the extrusion for you? I didn't know they did that, usually just bought a kit.

I cut enough of it, I bought a specific blade for aluminum and have a power miter box that I exclusively use for it.

It wound up, in the long run, cheaper than paying $1.50 a cut to zyltech.

 

[Ej Chavex]

T-Slot is surprisingly easy to work with, using Zyltech.com and getting custom cut pieces, its like playing with k'nex! WAY less expensive than T-Slot custom builders websites too...







Im gonna have to do a tutorial thread on my next stand build.







Amazing stuff   

 

[biecacka]

Another for Chris Benner! My boy does amazing work. In fact, I think he did Ryan’s (BRS) stand on the tank he had at home then moved it to the office. I think….do not quote on me on that. Unless I’m right. Haha

corey

 

[BigMikeFlipz]

I switched to t slot and won't look back. Way too fun and, if you use zyltech, not much more than wood.

I have to add a few more plates and it's done.

I also did my bearded dragon setup out of it with integrated light rack

Where did you buy your Aluminum pieces?

 

[Jedi1199]

See... I've been thinking about this option, but I think I'm a bit afraid of going with a local cabinet maker who may not have experience with building aquarium stands. I'd feel better knowing whoever builds the stand has experience with this.

This is what separates custom cabinetmakers from standard "hack it and rack it" builders. YOU determine exactly what you want and work with the builder to make it happen.

I’m getting ready to start a build thread in a month or so. I ordered a new 150 gallon tank from SCA this week. I will be building my own stand. I’m fortunate enough to have a shop full of wood and metal working tools. The stand will be metal framed with wood panels. Haven’t decided on alum or steel yet. Materials are very expensive right now.

I am SOOOOOOOO jealous!!!! I loved woodworking. If I had the room for a shop, or even access to one that would let me use their equipment.....

My 55g stand is custom built by myself. All the woodwork is my own. I was fortunate enough in my youth to work at a shop that made their own doors, so I had access to a shaper to make the panels and outside edges easily.

More photos of my stand on my build thread...

 

[polyppal]

To the cat or the stand! I want the cat ... but I am sure they will have lots of fun trying to get into the stand!!

Every time they hear a dosing pump they're investigating under there... definitely not cat-proofed

 

[Jedi1199]

To the cat or the stand! I want the cat ... but I am sure they will have lots of fun trying to get into the stand!!

Who could say no to that cat?!! What a cutie

 

[dantimdad]

Where did you buy your Aluminum pieces?

Zyltech.com

 

[dantimdad]

Where did you buy your Aluminum pieces?

Be aware, aluminum has just had a price increase. The 187 stand was going to be about $300 last month. Now, I am going a different direction. The price went up 50% and I have a bunch of steel and cabinet grade plywood laying around so I am going to build a hybrid even though I want aluminum.

 

[polyppal]

Be aware, aluminum has just had a price increase. The 187 stand was going to be about $300 last month. Now, I am going a different direction. The price went up 50% and I have a bunch of steel and cabinet grade plywood laying around so I am going to build a hybrid even though I want aluminum.

that sucks, I just got some pieces to do a refit on my current stand to make it a little more accessible for maintenance, id say it was 10-15% price increase for 3030 at Zyltech.