Custom Aluminum Stand

[karpomatic]

The original post is from 6/29/21 on another site. I'm reposting is as I cannot link to another site.

This is my DIY in photos of the aluminum stand that was built by my built by my Dad, elder brother, and me for my Marineland 220 Xhigh aquarium.

Part 1 - It's made of 2" square aluminum that it cost about $250. The dimensions are 72.5" x 24" x 24". I drew up the plans with my father's assistance. I did all the prep work. My brother did all the welding. I then ground down all the welds. Then prepared the frame for paint with 0000 steel wool and acetone. I then applied 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of semi-gloss black.

 

[karpomatic]

I used some pine boards my dad had left over from when his house was built for the doors. However, I needed to get the polyurethane off. So I burned and sanded the boards and accidently used the Shou Sugi Ban method. I had no idea it existed until I started burning the wood with a blow torch. My dad then assembled the doors.

My father then drilled and tapped all the holes for the 6 piano hinges and the door magnets. We attached the doors and coated them in Tung Oil inside and out.

We plan on making a canopy in the same method once I'm done refurbishing the aquarium.

 

8/30/21 - Yesterday was the big day. Started at 550am and got done around 430pm. swapped out my 125 for a 220 on my DIY aluminum stand. It's the next day and I'm still exhausted.

 

[lefty o]

massive overkill, i like it.

[karpomatic]

On 1/27/2022 at 10:26 AM, lefty o said:

massive overkill, i like it.

Not really. The aluminum afforded the strength I needed at roughly half the weight as steel and no need to be as bulky and reinforced as a wooden stand.

[lefty o]

On 1/27/2022 at 9:36 AM, karpomatic said:

Not really. The aluminum afforded the strength I needed at roughly half the weight as steel and no need to be as bulky and reinforced as a wooden stand.

i get the aluminum, but most folks would have mig welded that thing up in a hurry vs TIG. its nicely done.

[karpomatic]

On 1/27/2022 at 10:42 AM, lefty o said:

i get the aluminum, but most folks would have mig welded that thing up in a hurry vs TIG. its nicely done.

Oh, that's my dad and brother, I had no say in it. My dad is a perfectionist and my brother just got his welding certifications for his work last year. You can't even tell he capped those corners. I did all the grunt work of prepping, polishing, painting, & staining.

[Levi_Aquatics]

That stand looks beautiful! I love the wood finish!

[Patrick_G]

Nice looking set up! How do you level it? I didn’t see any leveling feet in the build pics. 

[karpomatic]

On 1/27/2022 at 1:10 PM, Patrick_G said:

Nice looking set up! How do you level it? I didn’t see any leveling feet in the build pics. 

Shims under the stand.

[Odd Duck]

@karpomaticThat looks fantastic!  Really like the finish on the wood!

[Andy's Fish Den]

Nice looking stand! Welding is a skill that I wish I was much better at, especially welding aluminum, I've only ever done steel.