Large Aquarium Stands and Canopies that are NOT Ugly?

[Zepplin]

Hey All,

My husband and I have been out of the hobby for about a decade and a lot of the technology has changed for the better. Despite many welcome advancements, I've been disappointed with the limited nature of aquarium stands and canopies available.

My husband and I were in the hobby in college and managed to scrape together odds and ends to make a well-functioning tank that was aesthetically pleasing, so far as the reef was concerned. The rest of the tank was amazingly ghetto. We even stole a reflector out of a giant street lamp that had crashed to the ground.

Now that we have money to invest I was hoping to find some lovely options, but a lot of the stand/canopy supplies seem rather boring, generic or old-fashioned.

My husband will be in charge of all hardware with the exception of the stand and canopy. We will most likely be purchasing a 240 gallon acrylic tank (96x24x24). We live in Austin, Texas. Geographic proximity is a bonus, but not required.

Where do people buy cool stands and canopies for large tanks? I would love suggestions.

Thanks,

-Meg:headwalls:

 

[dave.m]

There's no getting around it: those with really handsome cabinetry are going the custom route. Use the DIY forum here on RC to get the basic framework method for the stand. If you don't have the skills to build your own then hire a local cabinet maker to build something that will compliment your home to your tastes. Make sure the interior of the stand and canopy are painted white and that they are sealed against saltwater splash. An epoxy-based paint is good for this.

Dave.M

 

[Dmorty217]

There's no getting around it: those with really handsome cabinetry are going the custom route. Use the DIY forum here on RC to get the basic framework method for the stand. If you don't have the skills to build your own then hire a local cabinet maker to build something that will compliment your home to your tastes. Make sure the interior of the stand and canopy are painted white and that they are sealed against saltwater splash. An epoxy-based paint is good for this.

Dave.M

This. I think you will find a lot of large tanks are built into a wall or the stand is hidden for the most part. Most have to be made out of metal to support the weight so they are inherently ugly unless hidden by a wall or made with custom cabinetry to put over them. Also larger tanks don't usually have the space below the tank used for equipment. That is housed in a attached room

 

[Zepplin]

I think you both are correct about the custom-made advice. Are there well-known vendors who take custom stand/canopy orders? I imagine it would be easier to work with an individual who understood the many requirements necessary (i.e., space to house the equipment comfortably, weight concerns, salt-water, etc). This would be easier than approaching a skilled carpenter with no prior knowledge of large aquariums.

 

[dave.m]

All the info is on the DIY forum for the stand. You will have to plan out your equipment so you know how big the area under the tank needs to be. An experienced cabinet maker can take it from there (you can also point him to here).

Dave.M

 

[Kenmx10]

Coastal Aquarium
http://www.dallasnorthaquarium.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Coastal-2014.pdf

 

[Zepplin]

Omg! Thank you Kenmx! That modern line called "elegance" is actually really attractive. And BONUS! It's in Dallas. I will make Dan call tomorrow.

-Meg