Show Us Your T-Slot Aluminum Stands !

[Finatik]

I've been researching and looking into using a T-Slot Aluminum Stand for my next tank build. I've found a couple of companies online that sell all of the materials, but before I commit, I'd love to see some examples of tanks that are actually using T-Slot Aluminum Stands.

If you are using a T-Slot Aluminum stand for your tank, please share some pictures of your set-up, and specify:

1) Your tank size ?
2) What company you bought the materials from ?
3) Which frame profile did you use to build the stand (30/30, 45/45, 60,60, etc) ?
4) Your opinion of this type of stand and material now that you have it (are you happy you went with T-Slot Aluminum or do you regret it ?)
5) How does it hold up to salt spray ? Have you noticed any rusting or corrosion ?
6) Have you had any issues with racking ?
7) Anything else you want to share about T-Slot Aluminum?

Thanks ahead of time for sharing !!!

 

[McArcher]

Following- I'm also considering one. Can't wait to hear everybody's input

 

[revhtree]

Also following! I wouldn't mind replacing my frag tank stand!

 

[pawlaczki]

 

[K. Steven]

1. 40B
2. 80/20
3. 15-15ULS
4. Yes, I'm happy
5. No corrosion
6. No
7. It's modular, so you can add to it. I added a light rack to the back of my stand. If needed, it can be taken apart.

 

[Finatik]

Very Nice @pawlaczki !

Do you mind sharing:
1) Your tank size ?
2) What company you bought the materials from ?
3) Which frame profile did you use to build the stand (30/30, 45/45, 60,60, etc) ?
4) Your opinion of this type of stand and material now that you have it (are you happy you went with T-Slot Aluminum or do you regret it ?)
5) How does it hold up to salt spray ? Have you noticed any rusting or corrosion ?
6) Have you had any issues with racking ?
7) Anything else you want to share about T-Slot Aluminum?

 

[Finatik]

1. 40B
2. 80/20
3. 15-15ULS
4. Yes, I'm happy
5. No corrosion
6. No
7. It's modular, so you can add to it. I added a light rack to the back of my stand. If needed, it can be taken apart.

Very nice @K. Steven !
Did 80/20 provide the panels for the front, side and bottom too ?

 

[pawlaczki]

H everybody!
1. Tank is 48 x 36 x 27 (200gal)
2. I bought my extrusion from 80/20. i used their ebay shop and cut them by myself .For screws, gussets, brackets i used tnutz.com.
3. Top and legs are made of 15/30 extrusion, for bottom i used 15/15
4. I'm very happy with end result.
5.it is fresh built so so far no corrosion.
6.No racking at all. I use 2 Gyro 250 to move the water .
7. Worth the money. Still cant figure out how to "skin" it. I would love to it will looks like Red Sea stand.

 

[K. Steven]

Very nice @K. Steven !
Did 80/20 provide the panels for the front, side and bottom too ?

No, I made those out of ¼" MDF painted black.

 

[hurley12]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170429/ad33b78fc9cd9ee74c08a6d697deaf7d.jpg

 

[TherealplexiG]

60 gallon cube in works

 

[Finatik]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170429/ad33b78fc9cd9ee74c08a6d697deaf7d.jpg

Nice Setup @hurley12 !

Do you mind sharing:
1) Your tank size ?
2) What company you bought the materials from ?
3) Which frame profile did you use to build the stand (30/30, 45/45, 60,60, etc) ?
4) Your opinion of this type of stand and material now that you have it (are you happy you went with T-Slot Aluminum or do you regret it ?)
5) How does it hold up to salt spray ? Have you noticed any rusting or corrosion ?
6) Have you had any issues with racking ?
7) Anything else you want to share about T-Slot Aluminum?

 

[Finatik]

60 gallon cube in works

Nice @TherealplexiG !

Do you mind sharing:

1) Your tank size ?
2) What company you bought the materials from ?
3) Which frame profile did you use to build the stand (30/30, 45/45, 60,60, etc) ?
4) Your opinion of this type of stand and material now that you have it (are you happy you went with T-Slot Aluminum or do you regret it ?)
5) How does it hold up to salt spray ? Have you noticed any rusting or corrosion ?
6) Have you had any issues with racking ?
7) Anything else you want to share about T-Slot Aluminum ?

 

[TherealplexiG]

Nice @TherealplexiG !

Do you mind sharing:

1) Your tank size ?
2) What company you bought the materials from ?
3) Which frame profile did you use to build the stand (30/30, 45/45, 60,60, etc) ?
4) Your opinion of this type of stand and material now that you have it (are you happy you went with T-Slot Aluminum or do you regret it ?)
5) How does it hold up to salt spray ? Have you noticed any rusting or corrosion ?
6) Have you had any issues with racking ?
7) Anything else you want to share about T-Slot Aluminum ?

Tank size 60 US gallon 24"*24*25 depth all inches

I'm professional glass tank manufacturer. I'm from the Subcontinent, not from the USA. I have to depend on imports. The profile I got from a company at Singapore and got it imported.

Profile is 40 mm x 40 millimetrey. It has various grades, I use extra heavy duty.

This current tank is my personal and under build. However I have used t slots in the past.

You get good quality from reputed company its anodized to good depth. Not a problem with salt spray. I'd likely to less worry about corrosion and salt spray. But most of our tanks are custom build so they have custom lids on sump and taken appropriate care while designing so there is none salt spray.

Racking is also not a problem, but you need to run diagnostics simulation in advance cad to get correct numbers regarding load bearing capacity, or talk to your supplier.

These frames are quiet strong available with variety of different fittings. Every fitting has a specific purpose and different load bearing capacities..

If you are looking for linearity, strength and longevity these are the things you should look for. Always go one thickness up recommended by your supplier.

There are many ways to skin these. I'll put a build thread soon. Time is of Essence these days, hardly get time for my own hobby. But sooner we will get to it..

Mine would be anodized again black color with black inner trim wrapped in acrylics, will use Encapsulated neodymium mags to hold the panels.. Would look slick I guess.

HTH

 

[Finatik]

Great info everyone ! Thanks for sharing !
Over the years, I've gotten so accustomed to having a traditional wooden stand, that I was a little skeptical as to whether or not these aluminum T-Slot stands could hold up to the weight of 200+ gallons or more of water, rock, fish etc for those of us who have larger tanks.
When you get above 120 gallons, we're talking about ALOT of weight ! But your experiences with these stands is helping to ease my worries. It sounds like this is a viable option.

 

[xaflatoonx]

same boat as you Finatik.

would love to see a few reefers who have used these stands for 250-300 gallon tank sizes.

 

[FMF0331]

WOW , had no idea t-slot stand could hold so much weight

 

[TherealplexiG]

I have seen so thick t slots that you could literally build your home from it.. Some very heavy industrial grades..

WOW , had no idea t-slot stand could hold so much weight

 

[Ashish Patel]

Here is mine 10 days after filling..

42"X26"X38" (80/20 1.5"X1.5")

Happy with the purchase, T slot was my only option when deciding on my 24" wide sump!. The challenge is finding ways to mount things inside and outside. Vibration made me nervous so i anchored the stand to the wall using L brackets, This helped provide additional support when walking by it. It is definitely strong but I'll admit I was nervous when filling...hope this helps.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I tried deleting the doubles but it was not saving changes!