Frame Assembly: Structure for Fish and Plants

To support both the fish tank and the hydroponic plants, I built a custom frame using 30x30mm aluminum extrusion profiles. The design consists of two main levels: the top platform will hold the aquarium, while the stepped platform will support the hydroponic tray.

I started by laying out all the cut profiles, brackets, screws, and of course, the most essential tool: the 5-meter tape measure. No laser cutter here, just old-school mechanical precision (and a little guesswork).

I began assembling the base and vertical columns, verifying squareness along the way. Then, I added horizontal supports and began building the side platform that would eventually hold the hydroponic tray.

Each connection used angle brackets or flat plates, depending on the location and stress expected at each joint. Here's a close-up of one of the reinforced corners:

After some adjusting (and a few extra bolts I swear weren’t in the original plan), the final structure came together. It’s light, rigid, and surprisingly level — ready to receive sensors, plants, fish, and whatever else I decide to throw at it.