How to: Building an aquarium stand

[kevantheman35]

So I am about to build a stand for a 34 Cube for a tank for my wife. I ordered the Kreg tonight Nice job on the stand.

Reefinny Here is a cabinet I built for your exact aquarium. This one I built in red oak in a similar fashion to the stand in my instructions with a few differences. I used marble tiles for the top which looked very nice and only cost about $4 a piece. I also used neodymium magnets to hold the two sides on so that they could be easily removed to reach the sump. I never ended up putting a sump on the tank but they were still handy. Hope this might give you a little more inspiration for your build. Good luck!

 

[kevantheman35]

Looks awesome! Thanks for the write up and details! 

very nice. Good job. I like it

Great build and instructions.

Nice job!

Nice looking stand, but better yet is the detailed documentation. Nicely done!

Awesome job! Have you built one like this before? I enclosed my sump area on all sides like yours and eventually had to come back and drill holes in the back. I had major condensation and mold problems with it being enclosed.

I have built them like this in the past but never had a sump down there for any length of time. My plan for this stand was to possible install a small computer fan in the back panel of the cabinet. After reading your comment I definitely will thanks!

Thank you! I have been trying to build my own stand, with this thread I think I can built one( well hopefully).

Great job and spot on. The kreg jig is the only way to go! People get frustrated when it comes time to do the doors, We did. But mine are stained and not done ha.
When it was time to build the frame we used 36 inch clamps to hold the frames together and used a couple of squares to get them squared them up before screwing together. My other half knows way more about that than I do.

Great write up! Kreg is the best way for secure corners.

Wow great work and detail! Thanks for sharing it with us!

WOW! Great looking stand. And great job of documenting the steps and details of building it.

Really nice stand!

Wow great job all around very impressive detail. This should definetly be a foundation thread to many who need to build a stand

Great craftsmanship on the stand! It really turned out nice. Great write up as well, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to show this. I think if people see that with time and patience a very nice DIY stand is a very possible project.

Great write up!
Sticky worthy? I think so!

Thank you all for the compliments, it means a lot!

 

[Reefinny]

@Reefinny Here is a cabinet I built for your exact aquarium. This one I built in red oak in a similar fashion to the stand in my instructions with a few differences. I used marble tiles for the top which looked very nice and only cost about $4 a piece. I also used neodymium magnets to hold the two sides on so that they could be easily removed to reach the sump. I never ended up putting a sump on the tank but they were still handy. Hope this might give you a little more inspiration for your build. Good luck!

Funny you say that I have red oak I was going to skin it with. I like the magnets but I am going to do the doors on 2 sides like your other stand, also I am going to build it slightly oversized so It can handle a 60 rimless also. Thanks though you do very nice work.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

Wow great job on this stand, definitely one of the nicest ones on R2R. :hail: I'm going to incorporate some of your ideas for a build i'm about to start. Especially the epoxy paint for the sump area.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

do you think it'd be safe to do a 4ft tank (48x24x27) on a stand with no center brace in the front? maybe use 2x6 instead?

 

[Saltlife]

Both of those stands are really nice.

 

[kevantheman35]

do you think it'd be safe to do a 4ft tank (48x24x27) on a stand with no center brace in the front? maybe use 2x6 instead?

I'm no engineer but I would probably feel pretty comfortable with 2x6s. Ofcourse having the extra bracing would be a safer bet.

 

[JDNels]

Custom Stand

Test[ing]http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff395/JDNels/image.jpg2.jpg[/ing]

 

[JDNels]

Crap...

 

[JDNels]

Test[ing]http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff395/JDNels/image.jpg2.jpg[/ing]

 

[JDNels]

OK. A little warm up.
Thanks for the post followed almost to the letter.
Frame Done.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff395/JDNels/Mobile%20Uploads/0403151827.jpg[/img}
Skin Done.
[img]http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff395/JDNels/Mobile%20Uploads/0423151135.jpg
Leak Test.

Again Thanks for the help.

 

[JDNels]

LOL Edit...:squigglemouth:

 

[JDNels]

Oh. and removable top frame

 

[kevantheman35]

JDNels looks great! Glad the article helped.

 

[jedimasterben]

So I am setting up an 18" cube tank and LOVE this design. I'm going to clone it as best I can, but probably with a similar crown moulding top like in your new stand

 

[kevantheman35]

Thats great goodluck! Let me know if you have any questions and make sure to share some photos

 

[jedimasterben]

Thats great goodluck! Let me know if you have any questions and make sure to share some photos

In the morning I will share my sketchup files I've been working on. Just gotta figure out how I want to do the doors since I do not have a router or any amount of creativity when it comes to that lol

 

[jedimasterben]

Ok, here is what I've got. The right model is the 2x4 frame (I really like the idea of trimming them to be square!) and 1/2" plywood top and bottom, the middle is with 1x4 poplar skin, and the left is the 'final' with 1/4" plywood doors framed with 1x2 poplar, knobs, and crown molding. And the tank on top

 

[jhoop]

Really Nice Job !

 

[kevantheman35]

Ok, here is what I've got. The right model is the 2x4 frame (I really like the idea of trimming them to be square!) and 1/2" plywood top and bottom, the middle is with 1x4 poplar skin, and the left is the 'final' with 1/4" plywood doors framed with 1x2 poplar, knobs, and crown molding. And the tank on top

Looks great jedi! I really recommend that appliance epoxy paint on the inside. It has held up well over the last year.