[B]New Aquarium Stand Build[B/]

[maddhugan]

So I have been looking in craigslist for a stand 48" x 18" and all they have is flimsy ugly looking ones. I went to my LFS and it was like thousand dollars and it was painted black. I always wanted to build mine, and when I came across one of the reefcentral member build one, I decided to build one too. I got most of the ideas from that member's build.
I will try to post pics often for this build.

 

[maddhugan]

here are some photos

here are some photos

still figuring out how to post photos

 

[maddhugan]

huh, I don't know how to post photos here
I will try again

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[Coral2Coral]

Thanks for sharing! I am about to start a stand project in similar size as well.

 

[maddhugan]

going to try one more time

 

[maddhugan]

more photos

more photos

 

[maddhugan]

more photos

more photos

 

[maddhugan]

more photos

more photos

 

[maddhugan]

materials

materials

BTW I just used some doors that I already had for years, the pine boards that I bought from home depot were the cheapest and the door is birch I think.

I want to create a aged look but not wheathered look. Still long ways to go to finish it

 

[maddhugan]

more photos

more photos

 

[maddhugan]

more photos

more photos

 

[maddhugan]

need to give this stand a very aged look

need to give this stand a very aged look

So I have used a mild stain and now I have to give it a very aged look (not the weathered look, but an aged look)

Also, I will do some designs on it this coming weekend and will post more photos

 

[maddhugan]

before I did my stand I acid stained my concrete floors

before I did my stand I acid stained my concrete floors

before I started building my stand I acid stained my concrete floors and they came out awesome

 

[hawks66]

looks good. the side doors will be nice, i didnt do that. also wish mine was taller.

 

[maddhugan]

side doors

side doors

looks good. the side doors will be nice, i didnt do that. also wish mine was taller.

Yeah I'm excited about the side doors as well. More access. Anyway, that's how the member Divingtheworld Built it and that's how I got the idea. I will complete this build by this weekend and will post some clear photos

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Looking good. Side doors are key. That concrete floor you stained is awesome!

 

[Coral2Coral]

Looking great! Thanks for the step by step! Yours looks very sturdy and heavy, I was thinking something lighter, any thoughts on using 2x2's instead of 4x4's? Thanks.

 

[maddhugan]

2" x 2"

2" x 2"

Looking great! Thanks for the step by step! Yours looks very sturdy and heavy, I was thinking something lighter, any thoughts on using 2x2's instead of 4x4's? Thanks.

I honestly think 2" x 4" is a overkill for this sized tank, then again I wanted it to be super strong so that there is zero percentage chance of me being decapitated. Also, I just did what someone else did.

I think 2" x 2" should be fine, or you can actually combine 2 x 4 and 2 x 2 in your build. Load that is transferred to ground (vertical ones) may have 2 x 4 but others can be 2 x 2?

but to be honest a 2 x 2 should work fine for this sized tank.

design it and draw it on a paper. And definitely 2X2 should work.

 

[maddhugan]

4" x 4"?

4" x 4"?

Looking great! Thanks for the step by step! Yours looks very sturdy and heavy, I was thinking something lighter, any thoughts on using 2x2's instead of 4x4's? Thanks.

No I didn't use 4" x 4" but I used 2" x 4"
2" x 2" should be fine, because I see ppl building stands with particle board and even that holds the tank (truely a miracle). I think when the particle board gradually begins to soak up water and swells the fear inside the hobbyist heart also gradually swells and he starts to think about the possibility of decapitation. Imagine this. I mean your are poking your head inside the stand to see something inside the sump, and then the beautiful particles board just leaves the tank to meet your neck in a fraction of a second. Particle board stand will return to its natural state (which is particles, bits and pieces) sooner than you think it would.
I used to have a particle board stand (painted black to add more charm to its beauty) and a crap class glass tank. Gave away the tank for free, and refused to give that swelled up stand to the guy even after he insisted and said "that stand looks ok and will work for me." The next day I hammered it down to its natural state. and threw it in a dumpster. I was happy ever after.

people who build particle board stand should be sentenced to death. Without any doubt

 

[Coral2Coral]

Sorry! I meant 2x4's. Thanks for the insight and heads up!