Was talking with some friends in the carpentry and metal working fields about building a monster tank. They think that using aluminum I-beams for the frame would be structurally stronger and lighter than wood. The only drawback being the cost. Any thoughts on this or anyone with experience?
Aquarium frame ?
- Thread starter dragonfish
- Start date
You don't have to weld wood...
It's a given that steel and aluminum are stronger than wood, but most people don't have the resources to work with them, hence the proliferation of wood stands. And it's easier to cover a wood stand with other wood.
But nothing stands out like a highly polished SS stand.
Dr Joe
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It's a given that steel and aluminum are stronger than wood, but most people don't have the resources to work with them, hence the proliferation of wood stands. And it's easier to cover a wood stand with other wood.
But nothing stands out like a highly polished SS stand.
Dr Joe
.
Your aluminium I beams would indeed make a stand as strong but lighter and you could easily bolt instead of weld if you wanted with the advantage of coming apart easily to move but like you said would cost a fair amount more. You would need a decent grade of aluminium alloy too as the standard stuff is way to soft. You'd be talking $$$$. Very worth considering if you can source some reliably graded scrap though.....hmmm
They didn't mean for a stand. Talking about using it as framework for the tank itself. And one of the guys is a contractor, can get it for cost.
Most Monster tanks don't use a framework, just a few internal braces. With acrylics they use a cap brace.
I dont really understand the frame work idea as Ive never seen a glass tank with wood top and bottom caps. If you mean like a big ply tank then yes aluminium angle would work well for the corners, top and bottom.
yea theres not reason it wouldnt work but in the end for just corner joints you could use much thinner steel as well. Cheaper and really not much heavier. Then just paint on a good water barrier and it wont rust before your ply rots