Adding a Riser to the Aquarium Stand

Salty Lemon · Nov 30, 2018

Here is my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-baby-just-delivered-210-gallons.501977/
I bought a 210 gal Aqueon tank and stand a few weeks ago. (Happy dance.) I have had a couple suggestions to add a riser to my stand to raise it a couple inches because this it is a tad low, and it will be easier to maneuver the hardware inside. I was told at my LFS that if an Aqueon aquarium is on the Aqueon stand, then it has a lifetime warranty -- forever, for eternity, permanently, always, til death do us part. ;Happy
1. Will making a few changes to the stand void the warranty? (I can make a phone call to find out this one.)
2. Suggestions on how to go about adding a riser to the stand for a tank this big?
3. Pros vs cons for possibly voiding a warranty?
Thanks!
Ton

Dom · Nov 30, 2018

I think the simplest way to approach this is to build a platform on which to place the stand and then the tank. If you put something BETWEEN the tank and stand, that may void the warranty.

On a side note, I've always loved "Lifetime Warranty". The warranty is only for the lifetime of the company. If Aqueon went out of business, who would do a warranty? LOL

Reef-junky · Nov 30, 2018

How are you going to view the tank most of the time? If it’s sitting then I would probably leave it the way it is. I would highly doubt the warranty would be good if you change the stand in any way.

Salty Lemon · Nov 30, 2018

Reef-junky said:
How are you going to view the tank most of the time? If it’s sitting then I would probably leave it the way it is. I would highly doubt the warranty would be good if you change the stand in any way.

It will be on display on the stand. I was thinking the same thing. Thanks

dantimdad · Nov 30, 2018

OK, I have done this without altering the stand so it's under warranty still.

You have to build a frame out of 2x material that fits around the outside of the bottom of the stand fairly tightly. Miter the corners for a nice look and then paint this to match.

you then build another frame out of 2x material that fits inside this frame but is shorter so the stand sits down inside the larger frame and rests on the inside frame.

To raise it up 3.5" make the inside frame 2x4's and the outside frame 2x6's.

To raise it 5.25" make the inside frame 2x6s and the outside frame 2x8s.

make sure you put two cross braces inside the inside frame to keep it all from spreading apart.

I wish I had pictures of this.

Salty Lemon · Nov 30, 2018

dantimdad said:
OK, I have done this without altering the stand so it's under warranty still.

You have to build a frame out of 2x material that fits around the outside of the bottom of the stand fairly tightly. Miter the corners for a nice look and then paint this to match.

you then build another frame out of 2x material that fits inside this frame but is shorter so the stand sits down inside the larger frame and rests on the inside frame.

To raise it up 3.5" make the inside frame 2x4's and the outside frame 2x6's.

To raise it 5.25" make the inside frame 2x6s and the outside frame 2x8s.

make sure you put two cross braces inWside the inside frame to keep it all from spreading apart.

I wish I had pictures of this.

Wow! Thank you! This makes perfect sense! You are awesome, dantimdad!

dantimdad · Nov 30, 2018

Tonya Stuempfl said:
Wow! Thank you! This makes perfect sense! You are awesome, dantimdad!

You are most welcome!

mlevans1 · Mar 22, 2019

dantimdad said:
OK, I have done this without altering the stand so it's under warranty still.

You have to build a frame out of 2x material that fits around the outside of the bottom of the stand fairly tightly. Miter the corners for a nice look and then paint this to match.

you then build another frame out of 2x material that fits inside this frame but is shorter so the stand sits down inside the larger frame and rests on the inside frame.

To raise it up 3.5" make the inside frame 2x4's and the outside frame 2x6's.

To raise it 5.25" make the inside frame 2x6s and the outside frame 2x8s.

make sure you put two cross braces inside the inside frame to keep it all from spreading apart.

I wish I had pictures of this.

I am wanting to raise the height of my 75 gallon setup as well. Your description is good, however im still having a hard time wrapping my head around how this works. Any way you can draw it out or take a pic?

dantimdad · Mar 22, 2019

I really stink at drawing but I will try.

rival758 · Dec 11, 2023

dantimdad said:
I really stink at drawing but I will try.

Also waiting for that drawing!

TX_REEF · Dec 11, 2023

Salty Lemon said:
Here is my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-baby-just-delivered-210-gallons.501977/
I bought a 210 gal Aqueon tank and stand a few weeks ago. (Happy dance.) I have had a couple suggestions to add a riser to my stand to raise it a couple inches because this it is a tad low, and it will be easier to maneuver the hardware inside. I was told at my LFS that if an Aqueon aquarium is on the Aqueon stand, then it has a lifetime warranty -- forever, for eternity, permanently, always, til death do us part. ;Happy
1. Will making a few changes to the stand void the warranty? (I can make a phone call to find out this one.)
2. Suggestions on how to go about adding a riser to the stand for a tank this big?
3. Pros vs cons for possibly voiding a warranty?
Thanks!
Ton

Cinder blocks? Just kidding

If you really do want just a few inches you could make a simple stand for the stand, so to speak out of solid 2x4 and sheet lumber, then paint as desired. Honestly I wouldn't make any actual mods to the stand though, this would just be a stand on a stand like others have suggested.