OK I'm getting ready to begin the construction of a stand and canopy for my 75RR and was wanting your opinions. The stand will be constructed of a 2x4 frame that will be skinned with oak, so the frame will be supporting the weight of the tank. My question to you all is should I place a piece of plywood or oak on the top to help tie it all in together or just leave it open. I know the AGA stands do not have a top on them which makes plumbing them very easy. However I like the thought of extra rigidity (is that a word?) that the top would provide. Your thoughts?
Top on a stand?
- Thread starter rnhrtfan
- Start date
Hope you don`t mind a out of towner with a reply 
From what I learned when I was building my stands/canopies the AGA aquariums really don't need the full shelf for the tank to sit on. It needs the black plastic frame supported all around and thats basically it. Thats why all their stands have the support just around the perimeter of the stand.
I opted to go ahead and put a shelf on all my stands and the cut a square access hole in the top where the plumbing needed to go through before filling the tank. It just added to the strength of the stand in the end but added more $$ also. Make sure you have a level surface and don't put any of the Styrofoam sheeting down first like with acrylic tanks. It can push up on the tank and actually break the glass.
Sounds like you are building yours like I did mine. 2x4 frame and skinned with 3/4" oak ply. I was able to get 4x8 3/4" sheets of oak for sale price of a 1/2" so I did it with 3/4"
Here is a pic of what I did on mine before finishing it and putting the plywood skin on. Its a shot from the back side of the stand
From what I learned when I was building my stands/canopies the AGA aquariums really don't need the full shelf for the tank to sit on. It needs the black plastic frame supported all around and thats basically it. Thats why all their stands have the support just around the perimeter of the stand.
I opted to go ahead and put a shelf on all my stands and the cut a square access hole in the top where the plumbing needed to go through before filling the tank. It just added to the strength of the stand in the end but added more $$ also. Make sure you have a level surface and don't put any of the Styrofoam sheeting down first like with acrylic tanks. It can push up on the tank and actually break the glass.
Sounds like you are building yours like I did mine. 2x4 frame and skinned with 3/4" oak ply. I was able to get 4x8 3/4" sheets of oak for sale price of a 1/2" so I did it with 3/4"
Here is a pic of what I did on mine before finishing it and putting the plywood skin on. Its a shot from the back side of the stand
phljess
New member
I would not put a top on it for two reasons:
1. It is harder to plumb.
2. You are able to view the bottom of the tank for any possible leaks or other issues. If the stand is properly braced it will not flex.
Btw, you can build your stand out of ply only. It would be just as strong as using 2x4's and would probably turn out much better. I also would only use spareurethane on the stand if it is going to be stained. I used polyeurethane and it does not hold up as well as spar. just my 0.02.
1. It is harder to plumb.
2. You are able to view the bottom of the tank for any possible leaks or other issues. If the stand is properly braced it will not flex.
Btw, you can build your stand out of ply only. It would be just as strong as using 2x4's and would probably turn out much better. I also would only use spareurethane on the stand if it is going to be stained. I used polyeurethane and it does not hold up as well as spar. just my 0.02.
