Pictures of your DIY stand please

Opiy

Opiy

New member
I am trying to decide if I should build a stand and canopy or buy one. I would really like to build one now to use the money on other parts for the tank. The one I wanted to buy was 525 +/- and I think I could build one and save $400 maybe more. But I am not creative enough to come up with a good plan.

I liked Rollins stand and I think I could do that with my few power tools. But would that be strong enough for a 120?

I plan to just skin it with either oak ply or Maple but more than likely Oak. I also will buy the doors online because I can buy them cheaper and easier than I can build it.

All I have is a circular saw, jigsaw, and bandsaw for powertools. (HEHE don't laugh, I plan to get tablesaw, jointer, and planer sometime after I get tank running)

Here is a link that a guy built a stand for his 120 that I liked also
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=740962

If you have pics of your DIY please post them or any comments or suggestions.

I also wanted to put a door on the side to maybe help with the access of various things or maybe to take the sump out if I had to. What do you think?
 
All I have is a circular saw, jigsaw, and bandsaw for powertools
Click to expand...
LOL, all I had for powertools was a jigsaw and a drill when I built both my stands and canopies. If I can do it, ANYBODY can do it!
I got my doors from local cabinet shops for both stands -- one was free and the other cost $20.
I know you've probably seen these pics, and others certainly have nicer stands, but I'm very satisfied with the way these turned out.
Here's an old pic of my 75 stand at Christmas
fullxmas04.jpg

And here's the 40 -- just finished the canopy a couple of months ago.
402-18-06.jpg

Mariner
 
How was the stand made? I mean did you use 2x4s or just the Plywood for the support? I like the design though. Nice and simple :)

I was thinking of using the 2x4 structure with the plywood on top. I was thinking of the weight.
 
Just a 2x4 frame. I joined the 2x4's with dry wall screws and used 1/4" luan panels to cover the outside. Found some trim that I liked to cover the edges, and then stained and varnished. Very simple.
For the canopy on the 40g, I used aspen plywood to go around the framing -- very light but sturdy.
HTH,
Mariner
 
You have to upload the pic to your RC gallery or to a hosting site like photobucket.com. Click on the IMG button above the space where you type your posts and paste the URL of your pic in the space.
Hope that makes sense.
Mariner
 
I like photobucket because you don't have to resize the pic and its fast to setup and free.
 
I plan to go ahead and buy some 2x4s in to morning but hope maybe some more ideas will come up before I start building it. I have about a half sheet of the oak ply left from making the canopy for the 58 so maybe its enough to skin the frame... I hope.

Any more ideas or suggestions are welcome !!

Thanks
 
A couple suggestions I have are, if you are going to have a sump dont forget to plan for that inside your stand. I didnt on my 55. I used 2X4's and couldnt fit anything underneath. Try to use one sheet of wood for the outside if you stain that way everything will look more or less the same. Think about using pine instead of Oak alot cheaper. 1 sheet of Oak veneer plywood will cost you close to $100.00. Beg, borrow, steal, rent or buy a table saw and or router table $75.00 at Lowe's for a cheap one, its hard to cut straight with a skill saw, at least it was for me. Ive built two 1 for a 55 and 1 for a 29 and I loved every minute of it.
 
What size tank are you planning on?
When I built the one for the 55 I used 2 X 4's with oak veneer plywood on the outside. I showed my design to some engineers I worked with and they said the 2 X 4's were overkill on a 55. Also I built it to tall to reach into without a step up.
 
I really think I could put a car on that thing and it be OK. A friend of mine has a 110 sitting on 2x6s. Heck if you look at stands in the store they're just plywood. I'm not man enough to trust 3/4 plywood to hold up my 90g.

Let me know if you want any detailed pics of mine. It would be simple toolwise.
 
with a 120 3/4ply would hold the weight NP.. No need for 2x4s.. Just build a plywood box.. Add some 1x3 or 1x2 strips in the corners to support the joints and to help carry the load.. I would go with oak! but I just like oak lol.

For the canopy I would probably build it out of a 1x2 Frame and then skin it with 1/4 ply.. Or maybe just build it out of 1/2ply and just brace where needed. HTH

Will
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7004584#post7004584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rollin
Heck if you look at stands in the store they're just plywood. I'm not man enough to trust 3/4 plywood to hold up my 90g.

Let me know if you want any detailed pics of mine. It would be simple toolwise.
Click to expand...

I saw a new model that AGA has now in stands and I think they are made from that Plastic type material like they use in decking now. (believe that is what phillip told me) I noticed they didnt really have any internal support like you said rollin, but with my skill in cutting wood I also rather have the 2x4s hehe.

I wanted to water proof the inside of the stand and I have seen some people do this before. It looked like paint but it was a water proofing stuff + I think ive seen people use a clear silicone to line the corners of the bottom inside corners. I wanted to do this also but what do I get for the water proofing or liner?

One more thing, I think I am going to make the stand 36" tall. The one I have now is 32". I know 4" might not make a big difference but after that then 2ft tank height plus canopy im getting pretty tall.
The canopy I was thinking of a simple box but with doors that swing out to me. 2 doors
 
In the link that I posted in the first post I noticed it looks like he attached the legs with assuming wood screws. Is this a strong enough way or is there better? I already have the base built and I am working on the legs. Thats when I thought to myself is there a better way or is this fine?
 
Wood screws are OK but use a good amount of wood glue. The glue is actually stronger than wood once dried.
 
I was thinking of getting some construction adhesive like liquid nails. Do you think I should use that or the Titebond 3.
 
Yellow wood glue... Get the one with I think the green label.. Its the one that is made for humid conditions.. Wood glue makes a stronger bond then the wood.. So if you pull a glued joint loose the wood breaks and rips but the glue doesnt move!! Trust me

Also Screws are fine.. But you have to look at how his is built.. The screws don't carry the load.. They are just holding the frame together. Your top frame needs to set on the top of the legs and the legs need to set on top of your bottem frame.. How ever you fasten the frame together really doesn't matter much cause all the weight is pushing down. The joint's only come into play when you move the stand or if you push against the tank.

HTH
Will


Will
 
I'd stick with the Titebond. Spread it out with your finger or a small brush to cover 100% of both faces you're gluing together and once dried it's there for good.
 
Ok awesome.The titebond 3 that I have is the waterproof one. Great thanks for the help so far !!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
How everything change and keeps changing
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
kingone
K
adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
341
griss
griss
Guygettnby
Nyos 220 on a 120g?
Replies
8
Views
451
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
S
Looking at building a diy wood tank and stand
Replies
1
Views
468
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
J
WTB: 100-200g tank (ideally starfire glass)
Replies
1
Views
104
yoyoyoo123
yoyoyoo123
Back
Top