Stand material bias?

S

sn4265

New member
Just wondering what gives with all of the stands out there being made of either Oak or Maple? I don't have a problem with these types of wood. They make some great looking stands, but personally I'm more of a fan of Cherry or Walnut. I prefer the darker, richer tones that you generally get with those woods as opposed to Oak especially.

Personally, I think my idea stand from a purely aesthetic perspective would be a dark cherry structure with a door panels that are a light quilted maple. That would be a beautiful piece of furniture even with an aquarium on it.

So, is there some functional reason that Cherry and Walnut specifically seem to be avoided in stand/canopy construction?
 
I agree with you, they look more formal. My last big stand that I built for a 180gal. I painted it, and, an old antique, metal bed frame at the same time and made them match. I had the tank, in a guest bedroom on the first floor. It was downstairs, in the largest room in the house, close to a bathroom/water. I had a large closet next to it for ATO reservoirs etc. The room was long. had the tank against the wall across from the foot of the bed. The room had 9' ceilings with the old fashion bay windows with three walls that stick out from the room. It looked awesome. I painted them both a flat black, then took like a blue-green/teal colored paint and sponge to daub it all over. On the stand , when I built it, I installed some of that really fancy carved wood/scrollwork, I only put one nice pc of it in the front center of the canopy. Then after I painted it all and sponged it, I finger-touched gold on the fancy molding and the hardware on the doors, with very light highlighting of the gold on the trim mouldings. It looked like a piece of store bought furniture. It looked really nice, professional when you actually focused on it, while at the same time, didn't distract your attention away from the tank. The stand that I have now, I built and patterned it after Mission/Style. I painted all of the interior of it with the 2-part white epoxy. The outside is just a satin finish in black. It would go with just about any décor. Would also look great with an oriental theme as well. It really kills me to see a beautiful reeftank sitting on top of a plain, unpainted, wooden frame made of 2 x 4's with plywood over 1/2 of it, or the front all open. A nice hookuh, with 8 hoses or 3' tall bong standing in the corner would look great with this style of tank !!! I would imagine that when you would walk into the room to see the tank, the smell of dirty bong water in the carpet would overpower the saltwater/tank smell ...
 
sn4265 said:
Just wondering what gives with all of the stands out there being made of either Oak or Maple?

So, is there some functional reason that Cherry and Walnut specifically seem to be avoided in stand/canopy construction?
Click to expand...

The quickest answer for your questions is lower cost and availability.

Many hobbyists that make their own stands are trying to keep costs down so they can spend more on the tank itself. This choice is completely understandable given the amount of money this hobby requires.
And many of the hobbyists do not have the resources (materials, tools and skills) to make a more elaborate stand. Most home improvement stores carry oak and maple in sheet material and lumber, so those woods become the default wood choice.

Even though my stand is built out of oak, I chose to use the rift-sawn cut to match the rest of my home's Arts and Crafts style.
It has a different appearance and character than plain-sliced oak, but it does come at an increased cost.

There is no reason that you couldn't use cherry or walnut for a stand and canopy build.
There is no reason you couldn't use any species of wood; as long as the stand and canopy are properly built and finished.

As for the cherry and quilted maple style, I built a desk for my brother using stained alder for the frames with maple panels; a very sharp looking combination.
 
All good information. I didn't figure it was a structural problem in terms of strength, but I wasn't sure if maybe there was some kind of chemical concern. For instance, I know that Black Walnut has some kind of property that inhibits other plant growth, and Cedar is well known for it's bug repellent aroma.
 
jonwright said:
from a practical standpoint - oak and cherry are cheaper than walnut.
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Agree, much cheaper, though I do love the look of walnut.
Teak and mahogany are my favorite for marine use.
I like the look of maple but it needs to be sealed well, I've seen maple cabinet doors expand a great deal around moisture, where teak and mahogany are much more stable.
 
I'm at work so I can't post a picture, but if you do a search you can find my build thread. My stand is 100% cherry.
 
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Mine is pine that we stained and cleared and it perfect
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'd love to see some cherry stands. I built mine from pine then stained it. I think it came out nice for a pine stand. I choose pine because it was cheap and easy to work with using my limited tools and space. When time and money permits and I upgrade my tank I want to draw up plans for an elaborate stand using hardwoods. I need to own or have access to the space, essential tools like a good router and plainer, and the lumber. I still need to put doors on this stand. My cousin was joking calling me Mr. 99% because I take my projects almost all the way then stop. My tank has been running a couple years and I still haven't put door on the stand.

 
+1 to jlanger's response.

Of the common hardwoods, oak is the most readily available, maple probably second. Pretty much every big box store I've been to has them. In addition, many home already have oak or maple woodwork that people are trying to match.

Any wood is acceptable, as long as it's strong enough. I'm planning a stand that will be out of hickory to match some other shelves and cabinets.
 
Pife said:
I would think it mostly boils down to availability.
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That would be my take as well. Cherry, and walnut plywood the only place I know to get it is about 50 miles or so from me. The last time I had a price sheet the cost wasn't too different. Birdseye maple on the other had was in a category of it's own! Additionally, if you're matching house trim, I think you'll find species beyond oak, or stained pine more rare.
 
Here's mine. It started out looking like this:


and ended up looking like this:


and with a tank on it:


I have a coffee and end tables that match the stand, my current project is additional kitchen cabinets to match what is already there, all in cherry.
 
billdogg said:
Here's mine.
I have a coffee and end tables that match the stand, my current project is additional kitchen cabinets to match what is already there, all in cherry.
Click to expand...

Sweet looking stand.

I wish cherry wasn't so expensive out here on the left coast. It's such beautiful wood.
 
woodnaquanut said:
Sweet looking stand.

I wish cherry wasn't so expensive out here on the left coast. It's such beautiful wood.
Click to expand...

$4 /bf from the local sawmill. They turn me loose in their barn filled with local hardwoods. It's amazing how much you can fit in a Mazda 3
 
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