metal AGA stand, DIY "skin"

[eameres]

This is for a 72"x18 150g tank...

Has anyone built a custom skin for an AGA metal stand? In light of the facts that not using their stands voids the tank's warranty, and the metal stand supposedly only costs $100, this option is sounding pretty good.

I know $100 buys a lot of 2x4's but a warranty brings a lot of peace of mind. Thoughts???

Hmmnn, 30" tall and I am hoping for 36", I suppose I can raise the floor under the stand with a 2x6 frame, creating a "stand on a stand"

 

[dngspot]

This tank stand is made from 2x2x1/8 inch angle iron. The skin is made from 3/4 inch oak plywood. All corners and edges have trim made of oak. All wood and trim pieces came from Home Depot.

The skin is held on the metal by drilling a hole through the wood into the metal and install countersunk screw. The canopy is all wood.
I just bought a 210G. It will get the same type of stand.

 

[eameres]

Very nice stand. So you built the metal frame yourself though. I'm wondering if I'm being too nervous about the warranty thing. Obviously many folks here build their own stands.

 

[kelley_mc]

I have seen people skin the metal stand and fasten it with magnets. Pretty cool idea, easy access to the sump underneath, just simply take off a panel.

There is a thread somewhere on RC about it.

 

[dngspot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9190597#post9190597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eameres
Very nice stand. So you built the metal frame yourself though. I'm wondering if I'm being too nervous about the warranty thing. Obviously many folks here build their own stands.

I did build the stand. I am okay with the warranty thing. I have skinned a 55 gallon steel stand.
This stand has a wood frame that is skinned the same way as my 150g above.

 

[Racso]

AGA does not make metal stands for anything over 75 anymore (and if plans are still the way there were last I heard, they are discontinuing 65 and up metal stands). However, other companies do. But since putting an AGA stand on a different company's stand still voids the warrenty, you might as well put it on a custom stand.

Also, I doubt you can get a stand for $100 brand new for a tank that size. So even if it is an AGA stand, warrenty will still be void as it is a second hand purchase.

I know AGA is pretty strict about it's warrenties. Usually they are pretty good and if you have all the neccessary proof that it is still under warrenty, then they are great. However, I've delt with problems with them having a hissy-fit over an AGA being on an Oceanic stand (however, I doubt thats an issue any more seeing as how they are becoming one company now).

 

[eameres]

Interesting, I couldn't find a reference to a large metal stand on their web site, but my LFS said that such a thing existing. Perhaps they were going from memory though. I'll have to stop by and ask in person. What a PITA!

 

[BeanAnimal]

It can not "void" the warranty. They may not offer you the "extended" warranty, but they certainly can not force you to use their stand to be covered under the standard warranty. That my friends is against the law.

Bean

 

[Racso]

It can not "void" the warranty. They may not offer you the "extended" warranty, but they certainly can not force you to use their stand to be covered under the standard warranty. That my friends is against the law.

So are you saying its against the law to NOT have a warranty?

Lets say I am an aquarium company. I have no standard warranty. However, you buy my stand, I'll give you a warranty.

Otherwise, how are they going to protect themselves? 90 and 75 have the same footprint, but some cheap stands can hold a 75, but NOT a 90. And what if somebodt with no skills built his own stand that was about as level as a mountain, then what? So I build my own crappy stand, get home put the tank on the stand, fill it up and it blows and floods my floor. Oh well, guess I'll take it back and get a new one.

 

[Racso]

AH HA, all glass didn't have anything on it but Oceanic's web site had the warrenty printed:

Oceanic offers a five year warranty on aquariums against glass to glass leaks, provided the aquarium sits on the appropriate Oceanic stand.

You can find this by going to oceanicsystems.com, wait for the main screen to load, then click at the right where it says "more frequently asked questions" and this is the third paragraph down.