Wood for stand?

[Billybatz9]

Hey guys.

I am going to make a stand for my biocube, because the ones for sale are too expensive. What wood should I buy? Pressure treated? Premium kiln? Etc...? There's soo many.

 

[dattack]

How big is your biocube?

 

[billdogg]

You can easily make a very nice stand out of plywood using pocket hole screws and glue to hold it together if you can make a square cut. That will maximize the available space under the stand. Considering the availability of cabinet grade ply with your choice of veneers, I think it's a very doable project at a very reasonable price. If you buy from someplace like WoodCraft they can make the major cuts for you if you don't have the tools. At HD/Lowes you will be limited to "hardwood", oak, and rarely, maple plywood. I would also not expect perfect cuts if you leave it to them. They're usually close...

Avoid treated wood like the plague it is. It should not be used on anything around your tank, for fear of contamination.

 

[Billybatz9]

You can easily make a very nice stand out of plywood using pocket hole screws and glue to hold it together if you can make a square cut. That will maximize the available space under the stand. Considering the availability of cabinet grade ply with your choice of veneers, I think it's a very doable project at a very reasonable price. If you buy from someplace like WoodCraft they can make the major cuts for you if you don't have the tools.

Avoid treated wood like the plague it is. It should not be used on anything around your tank, for fear of contamination.

What kind of plywood? Also, what paint do you suggest? I want it to be black, but I don't want the wood type to show. If possible, I'd like for it to be a solid nice look like normal stands. I only have Home Depot and lowes around me.

Also, do you suggest any primers or coating after he paint to avoid wood damage.?

How big is your biocube?

29 gallon

 

[billdogg]

Since you plan on painting it black, either generic "hardwood" or oak 3/4 ply from HD/Lowes will work just fine. To hide the grain of the plywood, you will have to seal and sand it smooth, but that isn't that big a deal either. To make it a smooth, glossy finish your best bet will be to spray the finish on. A few top coats of lacquer will make it really pop and protect it from water spills.

 

[Billybatz9]

Since you plan on painting it black, either generic "hardwood" or oak 3/4 ply from HD/Lowes will work just fine. To hide the grain of the plywood, you will have to seal and sand it smooth, but that isn't that big a deal either. To make it a smooth, glossy finish your best bet will be to spray the finish on. A few top coats of lacquer will make it really pop and protect it from water spills.

Sweet thanks billdog. Do you know how much this would cost by any chance? I don't want to be one of those people who spend $100 on a diy when I can just buy one for $120 lol

 

[billdogg]

If you already have the tools ( table saw, pocket hole jig, a few hand tools, etc) the plywood will run you about $45, the paint and lacquer another $20 or so. Including other misc. stuff you'll have at least $75 - $100 in it. You will also end up with a much nicer product that you made yourself. I consider that priceless.

 

[Billybatz9]

If you already have the tools ( table saw, pocket hole jig, a few hand tools, etc) the plywood will run you about $45, the paint and lacquer another $20 or so. Including other misc. stuff you'll have at least $75 - $100 in it. You will also end up with a much nicer product that you made yourself. I consider that priceless.

Aright. Thanks Billdog

 

[Tarawa]

I used DF-2400MSR 2x4s on my 120 gallon's stand, built it uber overkill, but better overkill than not at all. spent about $50 on the lumber.

 

[Billybatz9]

I used DF-2400MSR 2x4s on my 120 gallon's stand, built it uber overkill, but better overkill than not at all. spent about $50 on the lumber.

Are you painting it? If so, what kind of paint

 

[Aerixx]

I made a beautiful 85g stand out of the birch sheet they sell at Home Depot, it has 1/8" of birch on the outside, for the edges I used 1/4" rounders, used for edges of your house