Help me build this stand.

[Gareth elliott]

Would like to build an aquarium stand with dimensions of 72’”x 26”x36”

its not housing an aquarium this large, but a standard 120.
On the extra lip would like a trowel covered in silicone grate. And the extra 24” a sink covered in silicone grate. Think bar if anyone ever worked as a bar tender. The sink and trowel would drain to an outside line. Goal being that simple cleaning could be done at the aquarium itself without making a huge mess. So skimmer cup, dipping corals, etc.

what materials would you use to do this?

 

[JoshH]

Really your options aren't limited, 2x4/2x6, plywood, 80/20 aluminum, steel. Personally I would go with plywood. Strong, easy to work with, flexible in design. It would also be an excellent material to use for your trough idea as you can form a narrow lip with the outside sheet to form the outer wall of the trough...

What kind of tools are at your disposal as this will for the most part be the deciding factor as to what material you will likely go with...

 

[Jon Fishman]

I wouldn’t pour a skimmer cup into any drain that doesn’t have running water available!

Also, I put a towel bar on the front of my stand. Best thing I have done so far

 

[Quietman]

3/4" plywood, but I'm a minimalist. Default is going to be dimensional lumber 2x6 and 2x4. But throwing this out there...that sounds like a well thought out system that's going to be around a while. Maximize your 'under tank space' and get quotes on steel. A local welder could put something together quite reasonable.

 

[Greybeard]

I'd weld up a steel frame, have it powder coated,

and use 3/4" ply to build the sink and shelf areas. Coat the wood in bartop epoxy for water proofing. Mine doesn't contain a sink, but the bartop epoxy worked out well for me.

 

[Jon Fishman]

+1 on square tube steel

 

[Redfoxtang]

Depends on how sturdy you want this stand. When i build stuff i way over do it but then i know nothing will fail. 4x4s and 2x8s with some 2x4s and plywood. I also use the kregg system to counter sink screw to make a nice clean finish.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Have a table saw, mitre saw, a few drills. So wood working tools covered. Metal not so much lol.

 

[Quietman]

Have a table saw, mitre saw, a few drills. So wood working tools covered. Metal not so much lol.

I get it, I do, too. But If I ever go with 120 gallon or bigger, I'm calling my Iron Worker son-in-law down here to put together a steel frame and I'll use my woodworking skills to put a nice skin on it.

 

[Quietman]

Plus, steel frame gives you options to put some heavy duty casters on that. Much easier to connect and maintain strength with steel. And I know you're plumbing so you'll have to have unions, and I also know about the aquariums and casters, but I gotta tell you, I'll never not have them again.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I wish I had steel. So much room under the stand. So open

 

[Quietman]

I used something like this - I've seen them up to 1650# per caster, they're designed for floor machinery. I've only needed them twice in a year, but wow - what a joy. Plus I'm redoing my floors next year and hassling with taking everything out and rebuilding sounded....painful.

Good luck!

 

[Dragon52]

This is my stand that I built out of 2x4, 2x6 & Birch Plywood. If I had to do it over again I think I'd go with aluminum.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

I'd weld up a steel frame, have it powder coated,

and use 3/4" ply to build the sink and shelf areas. Coat the wood in bartop epoxy for water proofing. Mine doesn't contain a sink, but the bartop epoxy worked out well for me.

That is AWESOME!

 

[lilgrounchuck]

Have a table saw, mitre saw, a few drills. So wood working tools covered. Metal not so much lol.

You can get some metal blades and make the cuts yourself. Harbor Freight has some pretty cheap welding equipment if you want to DIY, or you could always take your cut aluminum tubing to a shop and see if they can weld it together for you. Another option would be drilling, bracketing, and bolting the aluminum square tubing together if you don't want to go the welding route.

 

[motortrendz]

I'd go steel.stand. and then get an actual bar trowel and incorporate it. or make one out of aluminum.

 

[Gareth elliott]

if i went aluminum t slot for the frame.
What else would i need besides these items?

 

[Jamo7]

I’m still in the process of building my new tank stand, not near done but the process so far started as this 12’Lx2’W glulam beam.

and is now this.

still have staining, sealing and side panels also some more bracing but will be solid.

 

[Gp!]

Plus, steel frame gives you options to put some heavy duty casters on that. Much easier to connect and maintain strength with steel. And I know you're plumbing so you'll have to have unions, and I also know about the aquariums and casters, but I gotta tell you, I'll never not have them again.

Are you letting the filled aquarium stand sit on casters or do they back out by thread / levelling feet so you only engage when you want to roll? Any pictures? That is kind of a neat concept. Curious about the utility with hard plumbing though?

 

[Gp!]

I used something like this - I've seen them up to 1650# per caster, they're designed for floor machinery. I've only needed them twice in a year, but wow - what a joy. Plus I'm redoing my floors next year and hassling with taking everything out and rebuilding sounded....painful.

Good luck!

I saw this after my post. Nice ones to use that cover all the bases =)