280g $250 wood or $550 steel stand?

[chrissreef]

I've been trying to keep to a budget for the reef ... and I'm already over by about 1500. The last item is the stand... I've never had a steel stand but think I can make a pretty solid wood one for 1/2 the price. Suggestions from "big" tank owners?

Thanks!

 

[splateee]

No reason why you couldn't use wood. You can frame it using 2x4 and skin it with some nice plywood. There are alot of threads on building stands that you could get ideas from.

 

[ycnibrc]

the only different between a wood stand and a steel stand is with a steel stand you have more access to your sum due to the steel frame is smaller than the 2x4 wood and panel that the wood stand have. Otherwise both wood or steel stand done correctly will support your tank.

 

[reefmutt]

and you don't have to worry about rusting with a wood stand. My old stand under a 265g was steel and even with a few coats of paint, it began to show spots of corrosion. My next stand will be wood.

 

[Kannin]

wood!

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Got any buddies who can weld?? Steel is relatively cheap, its the labor that costs so much....I am in the process of changing out my system. I will be sooo glad to get rid of my wood stand for a nice steel one..!