building a cainet help

Shallow Reef

New member
Hi guys. Does anyone have experience in building your own cabinet? I need some advice and possibly pics and also which type of wood to use?

Thanks
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have had a look at the Rocket Engineers method of building a tank stand. I would like something a lot more stronger looking build using timber as the main base. Would that be a suitable choice and plywood as the main piece the tank will be sitting on? The reason I want to use timber as the main structure base because the tank is about medium size 4ft x 30" x 16" height. Do you have any pointers for the design of the cabinet for this size aquarium? I'm thinking I would need extra lengths of timber in the middle sides of the tank and one or two in the actual middle of the tank which would partition to make 2 cupboards in the cabinet if you get what I mean. I need a diagram or quick sketch to show this properly as explaining these things can be hard.

But from what I have said so far any more input please. I am sort of in a rush to get the designs and started but when it comes to building it will be built in good time.

Thanks
 
2x4 and plywood is strong enough to hold tanks much much larger than that. Plus all the weight is distributed among the 4 leg posts. Nothing in the middle. If your tank was about 6 ft. long I would start thinking about center braces to take strain off cross pieces.
 
I just used this pic on another post and have at the ready, this is one option for you.
If tank is trimmed this is all you need, if tank is trimless you need bottom support too.
A ply subtop is always nice IMO.


 
I just used this pic on another post and have at the ready, this is one option for you.
If tank is trimmed this is all you need, if tank is trimless you need bottom support too.
A ply subtop is always nice IMO.



That cabinet looks really good.
Do you have a link from this pic please? I need a step by step guide to understand the order to build it.

Thanks
 
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2x4 and plywood is strong enough to hold tanks much much larger than that. Plus all the weight is distributed among the 4 leg posts. Nothing in the middle. If your tank was about 6 ft. long I would start thinking about center braces to take strain off cross pieces.

Thanks. Since I have no idea how strong they can be I'm trying to be extra cautious.
 
My "stand" is in-wall but might give you some ideas.

Wood is Poplar with a cherry stain then chocolate stain over top, finally clear satin to seal.

My tank is 48x24x24. you can easily span the 48" without need for center brace (makes working in the sump MUCH easier).





 
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