My 75G DIY Stand

[Jon770]

Almost a year ago I built a DIY stand for my 75 gallon tank, and I just found some of the pics I took during the 'construction'...So I decided to post the process for everyone to see and learn from my mistakes. In the end, I am VERY happy with the results, but there were definitely some bumps on the roadââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

Let me first say that I, by NO means, am a carpenter ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ or anything resembling one. I have pretty much never built anything in my life, besides maybe, a science fair project back in grade schoolââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦and even that was mostly completed by my father. I had some help along the way with the stand from a couple people, including the use of my in-laws extensive tool collection ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ but this was done mostly on my own.

Include the fact that I am a devout perfectionistââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦and this whole thing was one big headache.

Ok, enough of the intros ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ here we go...

 

[Jon770]

This first picture is of the base of my support structure. Nothing fancy ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ all 2x4 pieces.

 

[Jon770]

This is the top section of my support structure. For the front horizontal support I used a 2x6 instead of a 2x4. I did this because (as you will see later), I did not put in a front vertical 2x4 support beam in the middle on the stand (but I still have one in the back). I left that out because I wanted to have one big opening underneath the stand so I can mess around with everything inside. So I used the 2x6 to try and make up for some of the lost support in not having a center vertical support.

 

[Jon770]

This is a shot of the base with the vertical beams put in place. As you can see, there is no center vertical support in the front of the stand. I still have the one in back.

 

[Jon770]

This is the whole support structure complete. Again, there is no center support in front. However, last minute I got worried and added two more 2x4ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s on each end in the front. I just wanted to be SURE that the stand was sturdy ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ and believe meââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦this thing can whole a Mack truck at this point.

 

[Jon770]

This is a shot of the back of the stand. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not sure why Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m including this picture ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ but here it is anywayââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

 

[Jon770]

OK ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ now weââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re getting somewhere. This is the stand after the skin was put on and the back piece was also put on. I decided to leave a small open strip (4-5 inches) on the back so that I could run the wires wherever they needed to go ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ but it is still mostly enclosed to reduce noise and light. On the front (like an idiot) I originally put on Ã"šÃ‚½ inch red oak and planned on staining it after it was put on. Unfortunately, after they were stained I realized I picked pieces that were a little too ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“redââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ and they didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t match my pre-made doors. Soââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦I went out and bought Ã"šÃ‚¼ inch oak and pre-stained them before putting them on top of my badly stained red oak. I actually had to stain TWO sets of skins because I got a little ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“polyurethane-happyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ the first time around and it came out too shiny (I told you ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ I am NOT a carpenter of any sort). The second one came out really nice ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ and then I decided to use Liquid Nails to glue the pieces on instead of nailing them in with finishing screws. I figured since these were just thin finishing pieces it would be okââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦which it is up to this point.

 

[Jon770]

Here is my monstrosity which I call an aquarium stand. This is actually when I was gluing on the front oak skins. I literally used EVERY clamp I could find to keep it all down. I didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t want ANY parts that werenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t glued tick, so I tried to cover almost every inch of the wood. Those paying attention can notice some of my wifeââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s candles, an old barbell set I found in the garage, and stacks of my old law school books (which are FINALLY getting put to some useââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦I knew they would be helpful one day!).

 

[Jon770]

And this is the final project. I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t really have any pics of the molding going up, so you just have to take my word on that. I put the molding on the top and bottom of the stand, and then some L-shaped thing on the sides (once again, I am not a carpenterââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦). They doors were pre-made and I bought them from home-depot. I think they cost around $40-50, but I thought it was worth the money b/c it gives the tank a nice finished/professional look.

I laid a 3/4 inch plywood on top and then I also put a sheet of 3/4 inch Styrofoam on top of that so that the tank will sit level and there would be no uneven sections of wood putting stress on the tank.

 

[Jon770]

This is a picture with the doors open. Nothing too interesting. I did the whole inside with polyurethane and then put silicon on all the edges in an attempt to make it somewhat waterproofââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦although Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not sure how well that worked.

 

[Jon770]

Lastly, here is a shot a day or two after the move from the old stand to the new one. Before it was just on one of those black iron stands, so this was definitely a major upgrade. You canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t really see the stand itselfââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦it was dark. Also, I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know why the pic came out so blue ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s not that blue in person. Also, the tank is pretty much bare in this pictureââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦it was before the restocking.

Although the process of moving the tank from my old stand to the new one was incredibly annoying and time consuming, there was one good thing about it: I actually managed to get out my 3-stripe damsel that has been absolutely impossible to catchââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦FINALLY!

 

[blfuller123]

Looks nice. It looks like it has a lot support than mine, but I was really needing every inch of space I could get. Here is mine for my 75. It is made of 3/4 inch burch.

Here it is in work.

Here it is finished.

Here is why I need the extra space.

 

[Jon770]

Wow...that stand looks great.

The one issue I have with the tank at this point is that I wish I had a little more space down below. With all the reinforced beams, I either have to custom-build my sump/fuge around them, or use something smaller that will actually take up MORE space (because of the way I hae to fit it in the stand).

Oh well...I'm not building a new one anytime soon, so I guess I'm going to have to learn to live with it

 

[blfuller123]

Thats why I built mine that way.

 

[Jon770]

good call...

 

[sales weasel]

Very nice job. I'm about to start on a new stand for a tank in our basement. I will definitely go for as much structural support as possible...but I also want enough room for the sump/fuge, skimmer, auto-topoff and freshwater supply.

 

[shouldabenacowboy]

Nice job


SBC

 

[Purple Haze]

holy overkill batman.

Turned out well, though.

 

[Ky_Yaker]

You both made some very nice stands!!

blfuller123: My stand is similar, I used 2x4's but I left a very large opening just like yours. Did you build your doors, or did you find some pre-maid that were large enough? How big are your doors?

 

[jdhanover]

blfuller123 - that is one helluva sump. you a plumber on the side?

jon770 - I need to build a stand for a 120g tank and was thinking along th elines of what you (no front center brace). Or putting two braces in the front but leaving 24" open in the middle. Or just making the front center brace removable. I assume you have your doors come very close together, right? And you said you got them at Home Depot - were they stock or speical order? I assume they were unfinished (oak?) and you finished them, right?

For a 120 (obviously heavier than a 75) would this design [without front braces] be strong enough? If the center brace is removable (obviously wouldn't be for long) any issue that creates when it is out?

Appreciate any help.