Creating a "Stand" out of RTA Kitchen Wall Cabinets

[Stevorino]

I'm building out my new fish room with RTA Kitchen Cabinets.

I needed a lower height than standard base cabinets, so I am using 24 inch tall wall cabinets that are not rated to support the weight of a countertop and fish tank.

One cabinet will have a 70g acrylic sump on it. The other cabinet will have a 40g breeder on it.

My plan has been to cut a hole on the inside corners of cabinet groups, put 2x4s or 2x6s down to the ground, and then secure them to the insides of the cabinets as well as the butcherblock countertop.

I would love to hear thoughts on if this is enough support and/or any other ideas of how to best add sufficient support.

Thanks!

 

[TX_REEF]

I'm building out my new fish room with RTA Kitchen Cabinets.

I needed a lower height than standard base cabinets, so I am using 24 inch tall wall cabinets that are not rated to support the weight of a countertop and fish tank.

One cabinet will have a 70g acrylic sump on it. The other cabinet will have a 40g breeder on it.

My plan has been to cut a hole on the inside corners of cabinet groups, put 2x4s or 2x6s down to the ground, and then secure them to the insides of the cabinets as well as the butcherblock countertop.

I would love to hear thoughts on if this is enough support and/or any other ideas of how to best add sufficient support.

Thanks!

I would reinforce the interiors with 2x4 for any of the units which will support weight up top.

 

[Stevorino]

I would reinforce the interiors with 2x4 for any of the units which will support weight up top.

By 'reinforce', do you mean add a vertical 2x4 in each corner, or something more?

 

[TX_REEF]

By 'reinforce', do you mean add a vertical 2x4 in each corner, or something more?

Depending on the stability/quality of the top and bottom panels, I'd either do that or build a full internal 2x4 frame inside if I didn't trust the sheet lumber, and in either case secure the 2x4 to the cabinet with screws from the outside, and I'd countersink to cover up the screws for aesthetics.

 

[Stevorino]

Depending on the stability/quality of the top and bottom panels, I'd either do that or build a full internal 2x4 frame inside if I didn't trust the sheet lumber, and in either case secure the 2x4 to the cabinet with screws from the outside, and I'd countersink to cover up the screws for aesthetics.

Great stuff - thank you!

 

[Dom]

Would you consider disassembling the cabinet and reassembling it around a 2x4 frame?

 

[Stevorino]

Would you consider disassembling the cabinet and reassembling it around a 2x4 frame?

Yes… and that’s a great idea because it may be easier than cutting holes in the long run

 

[Dom]

Yes… and that’s a great idea because it may be easier than cutting holes in the long run

This might be a good way to go; base cabinets around the base and wall cabinets around a canopy if you wanted. I'd probably build the stand and then just use the doors.

 

[SantaMonica]

And, you could attach the doors with just magnets all the way around. Pop them off and set them aside.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

For my 90 gallon, I bought a pre-assembled wall cabinet from Lowe’s. Made Edging for it and Re-Routed the doors to match the All-Glass Stand. Varnished it inside and out. I made an upside down Drawer for my Power Compact Lights, to go under the Cabinet. Pushed the drawer back to work on the Aquarium. That’s all disassembled now.