Customer Tank Stand

[Jmcdaniel0]

Does in anyone have experience building a custom stand? I am certainly not a carpenter, but I can order a stand with the tank I am looking at but it costs an extra 399.99 I am certain one can be built for much less. I found out the corner of the house my wife said I could use is not big enough for a 72 inch tank! so my 6 footer wont work

Here are the Dimensions for the tank, and the stand they would build:
100 Pro (48½ x 20½ x 25½)

80/100 Cabinet (50 x 21¼ x 32)

If anyone can do this, or knows someone that can, let me know.

 

[kschweer]

You would be very surprised what it cost to have a cabinet made by a professional. If you have a friend or even yourself you can build one fairly cheap. I believe the one I built for my 57 rimless (36x18) came in around $125. That's just parts not counting my time to build it. I would suggest building your own or having a friend so it though. Even if it's roughly the same amount of money the stand would more than likely be stronger and better built than any of the mass produced stands on the market.

 

[jsker]

I no longer build custom for clients anymore for that reason. The cost of Material would be $400 and labor. Buy it and save yourself some money.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I agree with Kevin.....a stand built by a cabinet maker will be more expensive than the store bought stand.

The least expensive and easiest to build is one made with dimensional lumber (in your case, 2x4's) and skinned with whatever (with 3/8 inch plywood being one of the least expensive.) However, you do need to have a slight degree of DIY skills and the tools to do it. Here is the plan for the 2x4's:

 

[jsker]

You would be very surprised what it cost to have a cabinet made by a professional. If you have a friend or even yourself you can build one fairly cheap. I believe the one I built for my 57 rimless (36x18) came in around $125. That's just parts not counting my time to build it. I would suggest building your own or having a friend so it though. Even if it's roughly the same amount of money the stand would more than likely be stronger and better built than any of the mass produced stands on the market.

if you do build use @redfishbluefish plan for you support structure

 

[FoD]

I am currently building a much larger stand than you are inquiring about and I can tell you if you use quality materials, you'll be well over $400 in just material. I'm going all out for my build, but a more simplistic stand would still be more than that I believe.
You can find my in-progress stand pics here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fods-Über-250dd-build-thread.202330/page-3

 

[jlanger]

At $400 for a custom built stand, I would have some concerns.
As other people have mentioned, materials alone for a stand that size are getting you close to the $400 mark.
I am often confused why people feel the need to save money on the stand when it is the stand that is the foundation for the entire system.

If the stand you mentioned comes with a warranty and they are insured, I don't think you'll find a cheaper custom built stand for that cost.

 

[redfishbluefish]

$400 for a roughly four foot stand????? Is it skinned in ebony or pink ivory wood?

For much less than $100 you can build a four foot stand that would support an elephant.

 

[broskie]

Don't be scared to build a stand. I am just finishing up another custom stand for my new 60G cube because nowbody builds one as tall as I would like. I'm into the stand maybe $80 and its everything I want. As long as you have basic handy man skills you will be fine. Here are a couple pics of my last stand built for a 57G I had for almost 2 years.

Also when building a stand its not always necessary to use 2x4s. I use 2x2s because they are lighter, cheaper, and dang close to being as strong if properly put together. I have sold a few of my stands and its always nice to get creative. The stand in the pics was around $75-$100. I used a 2x2 skeleton, 1/2" pre-sanded plywood, waterproof interior paint, dark mahogany stain, and then was finished dual doors with frosted glass pains I got from Ikeas dent and clearance section (also a good place for full doors and materials cheap)

Lastly if you don't wanna build a stand and don't wanna pay $400+. You can Always go buy a cabinet from the orange or blue store with similar dimensions. Add a top and a few internal support. This will put you in the $200-$300 area.

Give me a PM if you have any questions