Stainless Steel canopy inner frame

[mandarin]

Good day everyone, i want to use (316 grade) stainless steel to make two inner frames for my new light canopy. Would it be safe or not or must i rather go for aluminium sheeting.

 

[PeterL]

The 316L grade of stainless will be fine, you could even go down to 3CR12 which cheaper to buy but has a higher chrome content. The only concern with this is that it is a lot heavier than Aluminum so if you are hanging it from another source - go for it, just serious polishing required to get it super reflective.

If you are going to be resting it on top of your tank - I reckon it is going to be way too much for the tank. The tanks conventionally are not designed to carry much load on top and 316L s/s is heavy.

 

[mandarin]

The frames i want to make are only 38mm x 38mm x 2mm angles, on the lower frame i want to fit the supawood to cover the water line and the top frame for the lights. I will use normal reflectors that you buy at the LFS, so it won't be that heavy.

 

[jacquesb]

Guys - just a heads up.Sea-water rusts EVEN the BEST grade stainless steel. Believe me. I SCUBA
dive, and you should see how the BEST stainless steel dive-kives rust!

 

[FransSny]

Agreed with Jacques, SS will rust I made a canopy last year and it started rusting. There is actually no such thing as non rusting steel .

 

[Mekaeel]

What about heat. Wouldnt Stainless steel hold alot of heat? I think Aluminium will be a better option.

 

[mandarin]

Thanks to all for your input, (had a spare sheet of s/steel) Aluminium will be it then. Happy reefing

 

[seank]

I used alu on my canopy- way back when, it gets hot quickly, but cools down just as fast

 

[RiaanP]

Rather use Aluminium, can also get it welded to form a strong structure. Like those aluminium canopies on the back of some bakkies. Alu-Cab.

A few years back I helped my brother-in-law to build a aluminium canopy for his Land Rover. Damn, that big thing, so light to pick up. Felt strange picking it up. Expect this heavy thing...