DIY Stands Template and Calculator

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Great! Glad to hear I won't have the stand snap in half! It is built like a tank, I was sure that you'd approve!

I am planning on fitting the skin and trim on it outside and stain it but then take it back off to move the stand into the house and then reattach the skin. Otherwise there won't be any place to lift it.
 
Here's mine, came together easy and I'm definetly not a DIY person. The trim is probably the hardest part.

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Thanks to everyone for the imput and to rocketengineer for starting the thread. Being a noobe to DIY this has been an invaluble asset.

Im going to be building my first stand for my AGA 55 w/ 1X4's. As i believe that there has been sufficient imput that the stand will be sturdy.

My question is w/ building the front doors. Does anyone have any good links for building the doors and skinning?

Thanks
 
Hey guys ! NICE WORK !

I am building a 75g set up and I want to make the stand as light weight as possible while still following rockets design. Is it possible to build a stand for it completely out of 1x4's and still be sturdy enough to stand the full weight of the tank full of water plus in habitants as well as the test of time?
I had planned on pilot drilling all holes 1st and using wood glue on all meeting surfaces.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12838235#post12838235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketEngineer
danorth,

Been a little busy at work, had a 14 hour day Wednesday trying to get the SECOND rocket onto the rail. Two launches in two days is a little rough but they both worked. Back to your question, yes that should work just fine. More then strong enough in fact. Once you get all the "pretty stuff" in place post some more pics.
Click to expand...

Hey Rocket, to fit the sump I want underneat the stand I will need to change my nail rails that are in the center (to give the center 2x6 supports something to attach to) from 2x4s to 1x4s. Since they are not load bearing it shouldn't make a difference correct?
 
You know, I may not need the answer. I measured my 135 and it is 18.5" wide. So an 18" tank should be just fine.
 
Ok so I went ahead and built my stand from 1x4's for my 75g.
Its half way done now. I have the bottom finished with supports atached, and the top finished waiting to go on tomorrow.
Instead of the full screw strip I used 8 6" long 1x4" cut offs. Glued the hell out of them and then used 1 5/8" barbed finish nails while they were clamped. So far so good seems sturdy as hell. I used 1 5/8" barbed finish nails and glued all joints throughout.
Screws just split 1x4's wide open. even small ones.
I am going to use 1/4" finish grade ply to skin it. Then sand and fill it, stain it, sand, poly it, sand with note book paper, then polyp and sand with the note book paper to more times.
The inside will be a couple 3 coats of all weather primer.

I have about $21 bucks in it right now. When I am finished I think I'll have about $45.00 in it LOL !!
With out the 1/4" skin I bet this stand doesn't weigh much more then 30lbs. with it I bet its around 50 max.
Which will RAWK ! Because I have to position the tank and stand on my own :(
 
geez i wish it only cost me 45 for my 75g stand. so far Ive got 250 plus I still need to buy hinges, stain, knobs and corner/crown molding. Im thinking its gonna cost atleast another 100-125.


I just primed the frame and attached the bottom + back panels. Ill be skinning it this weekend and will post more pics.

Ive primed with Kilz Latex primer so far but I read a thread awhile ago where the guy sealed the inside of his stand with Behr garage floor epoxy and it was moisture proof afterwards. Any other experiences with that product? is it even worth my money or just use 2-3 coats of the primer?

Thanks all
LTR
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863276#post12863276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Duane867

Screws just split 1x4's wide open. even small ones.
(
Click to expand...

Drilling starter holes for the screws probably would have helped to stop the screws from splitting the 1x4's.

I used a 1x4 for a railing around my stand. I drilled pilot holes with a small bit and I had no problems with the wood splitting.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863820#post12863820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stevedola
geez i wish it only cost me 45 for my 75g stand. so far Ive got 250 plus I still need to buy hinges, stain, knobs and corner/crown molding. Im thinking its gonna cost atleast another 100-125.


I just primed the frame and attached the bottom + back panels. Ill be skinning it this weekend and will post more pics.

Ive primed with Kilz Latex primer so far but I read a thread awhile ago where the guy sealed the inside of his stand with Behr garage floor epoxy and it was moisture proof afterwards. Any other experiences with that product? is it even worth my money or just use 2-3 coats of the primer?

Thanks all
LTR
Click to expand...

I agree. You CAN build an inexpensive stand, but it's also true that you get what you pay for. It all depends on your objective.

I was going for the Perfecto Prestige (high-end line) Knock-off, so I've got about $250 (I'd guess) in mine as well for my 120-gallon stand & canopy, but then I'm going for a Furniture quality end-product. (Shoot, the 48" S/S canopy hinge was $30 alone!)

Kilz: Yes, I too have used the EXTERIOR Latex Prime and two-coated the inside of the cabinet and canopy. Then, topped it all with three coats (okay, maybe five!) of (sprayed) oil-base enamel . Looks very sharp! Oil flows so smooooothly. Deep (white painted) finish, to match the house's interior trim color scheme.

Floor paint epoxy would be good, but let's think about this: The cabinet is NOT supposed to get wet, now is it? EverythinG is precautionary, just for ambient moisture from the sump, plus the occasional "OOPS!" spill.

Best of luck!
 
Application.
Rain.
Usage.
....and about $2.


Given the choice, Exterior KILZ is the preferred Primer for our hobby. But like I said, you shouldn't get wet anyways. Right?
 
Unless the stand is freakin' 10' long I don't see how you can have over $150.00 in a stand man. Even buying choice 2s's or 4x's. ( unless your buying cedar, or oak, or cherry or something? )

I'll have pics up tonight of the thing that should not be. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12865456#post12865456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mako Shark II
Application.
Rain.
Usage.
....and about $2.


Given the choice, Exterior KILZ is the preferred Primer for our hobby. But like I said, you shouldn't get wet anyways. Right?
Click to expand...

Your cabinet WILL get wet. inside and out. Its an inevitability. There is no escape from it. Try as you might you will spill something on it, something will splash, and good old humidity from the tank will set it on its own as well.
 
$250....including the Canopy.

3/4" furniture grade plywood $35 a sheet
One gallon Kilz Exterior $15
One gallon Porter Semi-gloss enamel $28
Various Crown, Panel mold & Casing $70
2x6's, 2x4's, 1x4's $30
48" Stainless Steel Piano hinge $30
Little hinges and magnet for the Feeding Door $10
Gas for the 14 trip to Lowes & Home depot $32

Total $250

Saving $600 instead of buying the Name brand cabinets and having the satisfaction you did a better job anyways...........

Priceless!

(Actually, once I consider the added tools and what-nots (Beer!), I'm in for >$300, but don't tell the $pousal Unit!)
 
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