35" too tall for aquarium stand?

lueleon · Aug 12, 2015

Going above 30" would it be recommended to do a steel frame with wood panels or a solid oak stand with reinforcing beams inside suffice? Any thoughts

Lynn52 · Aug 12, 2015

Mine is 38 inches high. I built the structure out of 2 x 4s and 2 x 6s It is extremely sturdy. It is covered in 3/4 inch oak ply wood. I do lag my stands into the studs in the wall for just a bit more stability.

kschweer · Aug 12, 2015

Lynn52 said:
Mine is 38 inches high. I built the structure out of 2 x 4s and 2 x 6s It is extremely sturdy. It is covered in 3/4 inch oak ply wood. I do lag my stands into the studs in the wall for just a bit more stability.

Agreed. My stand is 36" talk built using 2x4's and 1/4" ply for the skin. I used a very similar design to the one in the original post.

b4tn · Aug 12, 2015

I ended up going 36" tall. It's got a good viewing angle and I can still reach the bottom of the tank all the way to the back.

tdyrkacz · Sep 9, 2015

My DIY stand is is about 37 - 38" tall.

I was going to buy one originally but they only made them 26" tall for my aquarium... there is no way I could work under that stand .. how do even get a skimmer in a 26" stand.

pirate2876 · Sep 9, 2015

My 120 has 40" tall stand. Its a world of difference(good difference).

Quinn123 · Sep 9, 2015

tall stand is nice, but it is a pain to clean your tank. every time you want to do something to the tank, you have to drag a ladder.

Harold Green · Sep 9, 2015

I tackled the stand height from a different perspective. My tank 210g is in the basement. I have two bar chairs that I like to sit in front of the tank in. So I sat in the chair and measured from the floor up to eye level. Subtracted half the height of the tank and that left the height of the stand that I needed so I could sit and not have to look up or down to view the tank. I think it's always a good idea to decide how you're going to be viewing the tank before deciding on a height. A big enough sump will also stabilize the stand and tank quite a bit.

SeveredDime · Sep 11, 2015

I had a FW tank on a 42" stand, it was great for viewing.

My present SW tank is at standard counter height and it's a good height. My tank is 30" tall so I wouldn't want it higher, I need a ladder for anything other than feeding.

jgraz · Sep 11, 2015

I would tell you how high I built my stand for my old tank but by now I think you have gotten the point. 35" is not to tall.

mwladdicted · Sep 11, 2015

I would use 3/4" oak ply instead of 2x4, it'll save you alot if space, I made mine with that it's my stand could hold at least triple what it does with no problem. stand was also 42"

Cowboy1411 · Jul 16, 2020

b4tn said:
I ended up going 36" tall. It's got a good viewing angle and I can still reach the bottom of the tank all the way to the back.

Thats awesome man. Im building a 4ft stand for me tank right now and would love to know how you made the front door? Also my stand is super tall lik 43inches to the bottom of the stand from the floor. Should I add extra supports? Thanks

Ratherbeflyen · Jul 16, 2020

My DIY stand is 42" for my 210 tank and I wouldn't change a thing if I did it again.

jgirardnrg · Jul 16, 2020

I'm going to need a step stool but this is 35" exactly. This is the view from my desk for 60g cube I'm setting up... perfect height.

BrandonS · Jul 16, 2020

my stand for my 93 cube is 32 inches tall. Wish it was a little taller as far as access underneath goes. May build a taller one. Next stand build will definitely be taller I think.

b4tn · Jul 16, 2020

Cowboy1411 said:
Thats awesome man. Im building a 4ft stand for me tank right now and would love to know how you made the front door? Also my stand is super tall lik 43inches to the bottom of the stand from the floor. Should I add extra supports? Thanks

thanks, I still have the same stand going strong. The door is just a single piece of plywood with the 1” trim pieces glued on the front stapled from the back. I just used magnetic cabinet latches to hold it in place.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Richelieu-Brushed-Black-Magnetic-Magnetic-Cabinet-Catch/3623420

Cowboy1411 · Jul 16, 2020

b4tn said:
thanks, I still have the same stand going strong. The door is just a single piece of plywood with the 1” trim pieces glued on the front stapled from the back. I just used magnetic cabinet latches to hold it in place.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Richelieu-Brushed-Black-Magnetic-Magnetic-Cabinet-Catch/3623420

Awesome I will be getting some of those! Thanks

Cowboy1411 · Jul 16, 2020

Ratherbeflyen said:
My DIY stand is 42" for my 210 tank and I wouldn't change a thing if I did it again.

Did u have to add any extra supports? I made my stand exactly like the original poster and I made it 43 inches tall. Just wondering if i should add any extra before I finish it. Thanks

Ratherbeflyen · Jul 16, 2020

Cowboy1411 said:
Did u have to add any extra supports? I made my stand exactly like the original poster and I made it 43 inches tall. Just wondering if i should add any extra before I finish it. Thanks

My stand is only supported from the ends. Most tanks only have to be supported on the ends and center braces are not needed at all.

PacoPetty · Jul 16, 2020

Stands are like garages.... is there any such thing as one that is too big? Lol I build all of mine at least 40 inches tall because I love having all of the extra space under the tank and I hate having to bend over to look in the tank because I am tall!