Aquarium Stands or Cabinets

[Lowell Lemon]

I have watched the saltwater aquarium industry as both a hobbyist and a manufacturer / distributor since the early 1980's. In that time I have yet to see any manufactures address the stand and cabinet problems associated with the use of particle board, MDF or plywood. These products are completely unsuitable for saltwater aquarium use and often fail before the tank does. I have produced or sold hundreds of custom acrylic and glass tanks per year for over twenty years and the "furniture" was always a concession to price over quality. I sold oak furniture from a manufacturer (that is out of business) for many years but the catalyzed finished looked terrible with in 6 months for some customers. For a short period I produced acrylic cabinets from patterned acrylics (faux granite colors) that meet with success. So now the question. Should we expect our cabinets to last as long as the tank and utilize materials impervious to saltwater attack? Tell me what you think. Would you be willing to pay for higher quality materials in over a hundred colors that would never be harmed by saltwater?

By the way the use of metal is a problem in the long term situations unless the metal is powder coated and grounded for obvious reasons. I have even installed complete stores with high dollar stainless steel rack systems that rusted at hinges and other points within a year. The complete metal stand was a challenge when ever you got your hands in the water due to both induced voltage and salt deposits on the light system creating a track to the water for stray voltage. Not fun! I still remember the old song "You Light Up My Life" when getting a taste of a stray volt or more.

 

[reef208]

I seems like in general there aren't a lot of options for aquarium stands, not to mention the fact that half of them are built out of crappy materials. For that reason, I built my own this time around. Personally I prefer solid wood cabinets or powder coated metal frames w/ wood skirt.

I used to work at a fish store that had a huge stainless steel rack system and you definitely knew it if any of the powerheads or heaters were shorting out. Ouch.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I seems like in general there aren't a lot of options for aquarium stands, not to mention the fact that half of them are built out of crappy materials. For that reason, I built my own this time around. Personally I prefer solid wood cabinets or powder coated metal frames w/ wood skirt.

I used to work at a fish store that had a huge stainless steel rack system and you definitely knew it if any of the powerheads or heaters were shorting out. Ouch.

You must have worked for All Pet Complex or the newer owners. I installed the systems built by Reef Lake Systems for them years ago. Perhaps the systems were sold to another store later. Dr. Marty Becker was the founder at the time.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

So I guess I am scratching where none of you itch. Prehaps I am wrong to persue innovation of aquarium cabinets with new materials that are great looking and durable. I guess you all perfer cheap particle board stands and cabinets with the ability to fall apart when wet?

How about a knock down line of assemble yourself stands and cabinets with waterproof materials that are cost competetive to wood?

 

[-Logzor]

If you're paying for a tank that costs many thousands of dollars, I think it's a no-brainer to also purchase a high quality custom made stand. I know that http://www.bennerswoodworking.com/ is producing some amazing stands for high end builds, but also has a series of non-customs stands that are of great quality but more affordable.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

If you're paying for a tank that costs many thousands of dollars, I think it's a no-brainer to also purchase a high quality custom made stand. I know that http://www.bennerswoodworking.com/ is producing some amazing stands for high end builds, but also has a series of non-customs stands that are of great quality but more affordable.

While I agree the stands are nice appearing what kind of finish do they use? In the past I sold a whole line of custom stands in different quality woods. However the manufacturer used catalyzed lacquer and the finish was ruined in less than six months of saltwater use for the majority of customers. Again not a durable result due to the inadequate finish. The only finish to stand up to the abuse is polyurethane but since it requires hand application and finish no one in the furniture industry is willing to apply it. Again the stands looked bad as soon as the finish failed and then the saltwater attacked the wood.

 

[ReEf787]

I have watched the saltwater aquarium industry as both a hobbyist and a manufacturer / distributor since the early 1980's. In that time I have yet to see any manufactures address the stand and cabinet problems associated with the use of particle board, MDF or plywood. These products are completely unsuitable for saltwater aquarium use and often fail before the tank does. I have produced or sold hundreds of custom acrylic and glass tanks per year for over twenty years and the "furniture" was always a concession to price over quality. I sold oak furniture from a manufacturer (that is out of business) for many years but the catalyzed finished looked terrible with in 6 months for some customers. For a short period I produced acrylic cabinets from patterned acrylics (faux granite colors) that meet with success. So now the question. Should we expect our cabinets to last as long as the tank and utilize materials impervious to saltwater attack? Tell me what you think. Would you be willing to pay for higher quality materials in over a hundred colors that would never be harmed by saltwater?

By the way the use of metal is a problem in the long term situations unless the metal is powder coated and grounded for obvious reasons. I have even installed complete stores with high dollar stainless steel rack systems that rusted at hinges and other points within a year. The complete metal stand was a challenge when ever you got your hands in the water due to both induced voltage and salt deposits on the light system creating a track to the water for stray voltage. Not fun! I still remember the old song "You Light Up My Life" when getting a taste of a stray volt or more.

I would love to purchase a custom reef tank stand and canopy that was made of non corrosive and durable materials. Of course it has to somehow fit into my budget, lol. I think you're onto something. I really do. if you ever need a guinea pig, let me know!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I would love to purchase a custom reef tank stand and canopy that was made of non corrosive and durable materials. Of course it has to somehow fit into my budget, lol. I think you're onto something. I really do. if you ever need a guinea pig, let me know!

I will post a couple of pictures in a couple of days of current experiments I am using to give you some ideas.

 

[jetmaker]

It would be to have something in aluminium frame and vinyl door's and panels.

 

[ReEf787]

I would love to purchase a custom reef tank stand and canopy that was made of non corrosive and durable materials. Of course it has to somehow fit into my budget, lol. I think you're onto something. I really do. if you ever need a guinea pig, let me know!

I look forward to seeing your designs.

I will post a couple of pictures in a couple of days of current experiments I am using to give you some ideas.

 

[Lowstorm]

I'd be willing to try it, if it was in my budget and I was assured that I wouldn't have 125 gallons of reef tank crashing to my floor.

Yes, wood does disintegrate over time. But to be truthful, its cheap. Once you see serious damage, you can either go out and buy a new one, or build a new one. And it takes a long, LONG time to break down to that level. My old oceanic stand just got a 'clean up' by my son (who is grounded and did this as a punishment) who sanded the entire thing down. Now I just need to do a quick coat of some sort of finish-if I want. I may just leave it as is. And if there gets to be a lot of water damage-dry it out, sand it down, refinish.. so on and so forth until I need a new stand. Most likely I won't need a new stand, as its not made out of particle board, but actual wood. He wouldn't have been able to sand down particle board and made it look as nice as he did.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

It would be to have something in aluminium frame and vinyl door's and panels.

Not really. I made units that supported 450 gallon saltwater tanks with no metal frame. Just have to design to static loads.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I'd be willing to try it, if it was in my budget and I was assured that I wouldn't have 125 gallons of reef tank crashing to my floor.

Yes, wood does disintegrate over time. But to be truthful, its cheap. Once you see serious damage, you can either go out and buy a new one, or build a new one. And it takes a long, LONG time to break down to that level. My old oceanic stand just got a 'clean up' by my son (who is grounded and did this as a punishment) who sanded the entire thing down. Now I just need to do a quick coat of some sort of finish-if I want. I may just leave it as is. And if there gets to be a lot of water damage-dry it out, sand it down, refinish.. so on and so forth until I need a new stand. Most likely I won't need a new stand, as its not made out of particle board, but actual wood. He wouldn't have been able to sand down particle board and made it look as nice as he did.

There are so many products that are impervious to water attack that we no longer have to be tied to wood with a temporary finish.

 

[Lowstorm]

There are so many products that are impervious to water attack that we no longer have to be tied to wood with a temporary finish.

True! But as I said-wood is cheap. Its tried and true. I also said I would be willing to try something new

 

[theblackpearl]

I built my stand for my 60 gallon cube for under $100...I used 1.5" square stock with 1/8 wall then painted it with poor 15 then a rustoliem top coat.....finished it with a granite top of craigslist

 

[AlexG]

I have either bought a a high quality stand or I just made one on my own. I have just used wood for the stand construction that is reinforced with plywood.

 

[WilRams]

I am currently looking into getting a stand built for my new tank (220g 72x30x24). I have as of now 3 options. 1. Locally made powder coated steel stand 2. Brenners Wood stand 3. Aluminum stand (my favorite option but $$$$$). The options get much more expensive in that order. I have been quoted as much as 5k which I just can't do at the moment. I'm not trying to cheap out on anything though so I need to find middle road as this setup will need to last me quite a few years. All that said I am open to any other options as long as I can get my modern clean glossy white look.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I am currently looking into getting a stand built for my new tank (220g 72x30x24). I have as of now 3 options. 1. Locally made powder coated steel stand 2. Brenners Wood stand 3. Aluminum stand (my favorite option but $$$$$). The options get much more expensive in that order. I have been quoted as much as 5k which I just can't do at the moment. I'm not trying to cheap out on anything though so I need to find middle road as this setup will need to last me quite a few years. All that said I am open to any other options as long as I can get my modern clean glossy white look.

Why not use a white material the finishes to a high gloss? Designer White Corian(R) comes to mind. By just the polishing process the material retains the color all the way through the 12mm product. If you have a local solid surface company they may take it on for you. The lesser cost is Glacier White Corian(R) and again the finish determins the gloss.

Sorry have not figured out how to upload picture from my tablet yet!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

This is an example of a competely water proof stand made of a color called Rain Cloud. Nickle hinges and pulls with stainless steel screws and brass inserts. All made to resist saltwater. The material is colored all the way through so you just sand and polish to get the level of gloss you want. This is a semi-gloss finish.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Sorry about the color and balance I just have a Fujifilm underwater camera for this shot. This is the first glass tank I have had in 30 years. The build for this system will be freshwater. The stand is Rain Cloud solid surface material from DuPont(R). You could drop this stand in a pool over night and not damage it in anyway. It will adsorb a small amount of water...like an acrylic aquarium would. I have built cabinets to support tanks over 450 gallons that have been in service since the early 1990's. No damage to the material or surface due to saltwater. The color patter you see runs all the way through the material. So a scratch is simply sanded and buffed out to return the material to like new condition. I restore kitchen and bathroom counters quite often for my customer to like new condition with this type of solid surface product. The only draw back for DIY is the material and adhesives are only sold to licensed fabricators and their contracts with DuPont(R) forbid resale of unfinished product to the public or you can lose your certification as a fabricator.