how much did your DIY stand run you?

[Devaji]

OK I know there are many factors to this question like:
materials used
skill level
tools already owned or bought

but trying to get an average here I have build DIY for a 75 gal, 90cube & 2 -40brs...

pricing new tanks and between PNP set up and a tank only and DIY stand. DIY will have some $$ but after running the # not as much as I thought.

I think I can do a Tslot for $600 depending on what I use for top and sump area and skin for a 6' 150 tank
thinking a 2x6 stand will run around 250-300 depending on what I use to trim it out.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

T slot is definately the most expensive option. You do not need 2x6 for any of the tanks you mentioned. Figure $30 in 2x4. $10 in screws, $8 glue, $40 in hardwood ply for facing, $25 for plywood tops and back and $20 hinges.

So about $150

 

[Devaji]

T slot is definately the most expensive option. You do not need 2x6 for any of the tanks you mentioned. Figure $30 in 2x4. $10 in screws, $8 glue, $40 in hardwood ply for facing, $25 for plywood tops and back and $20 hinges.

So about $150

yeah I know most way over build there DIY stands but I would feel saver using a 2x6 for top brace. peace of mind is worth every penny. we are remolding the new house spending way more $$ on it than expected. so if it helps me sleep better than 2x6 for top i'll do it.

the doors and DIY are my down fall...uhg a pretty much suck at it. if I go DIY way I was thinking of a slinding barn door on both side this will be a peninsula build.

 

[Greybeard]

Plan done in Google's Sketchup

Sent dimensional drawing to local fab shop, had them weld it up out of 11g 1.5" square tube steel. $400. Took it to a local powder coating company, had them sand blast the mill scale off and coat it with gloss black, $100.

3 sheets of plywood, some oak 1x3's, a few hours of my daughter's time and talent with a paint brush, a hundred bucks worth of bartop epoxy...

Some basic cabinetry, a few odds and end bits... I think I've got about $800 in it.

Note: For that cost, I've got something that will last for decades... and not just an aquarium stand... it doubles as a bar

 

[Mandelstam]

Bunch of 2x4's, osb, paint. Used handsaw and a power drill mostly. 48x36 footprint. Think in total it was around $75.

 

[BeejReef]

Don't cheap out!

Get one of these and install retractable doors on both sides of your peninsula. Open during the day for maximum air exchange, closed during the night to prevent light bleed from your refugium. Wire it to an Apex

jk.. lol. good luck w ur stand. Hope to see pics.

 

[malacoda]

48" x 36" x 24" for 65g tank:

~$110 in 3/4' oak veneered plywood for the entire box
~$15 in 1" x 3" to serve as partial framing (the plywood box itself provides the majority of the load bearing support)
~$100 in dimensional lumber for the top and the trim
~$75 for the hinges, screws and glue

So about $300 all in.

 

[Doctorgori]

Just finished ...solid Aspen ....about 150 with all the varnish hardware et

 

[ihavecrabs]

I’d grab some 3/4” ply and build a plywood box. That would be one of the least expensive and most sturdy routes. Easy to trim out as well. I did this for a 120g 48x24x24 and it worked very well.

 

[Jeeperz]

Greybeard, that is awesome. I think I might partially copy that idea for my reefer 350

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

This was maybe, $150 . But, I do hate painting. It's outside

 

[Jvesche20]

planning on building a stand for my 220. I would like to build something similar to the stands that red sea or water box uses. I like the sleek stands.

 

[Jon Fishman]

If I had to give numbers, some guesses:

$300 wood top
$120 2-part epoxy
$150 Old Marineland stand from a 265? (PSA Marinelands leak). (traded a tank, called it even)
$40 More 4x4’s and other support/trim pieces
$20 sandpaper
$20 underneath LeD lights
$25 Towel Bar. Best thing I ever did


If I had to do it over again? Custom steel square tubing weld job, same top.

 

[Greybeard]

Greybeard, that is awesome. I think I might partially copy that idea for my reefer 350

Thanks

Love my Reef Bar. Going to get a sign made, Greybeard's Reef, just like this one

Message me if you want the sketchup model, I'd be happy to send it to you.

 

[Jvesche20]

Just finished ...solid Aspen ....about 150 with all the varnish hardware et

Can I see what the inside looks like. I want to make something very similar with different color wood

 

[Neil S.]

OK I know there are many factors to this question like:
materials used
skill level
tools already owned or bought

but trying to get an average here I have build DIY for a 75 gal, 90cube & 2 -40brs...

pricing new tanks and between PNP set up and a tank only and DIY stand. DIY will have some $$ but after running the # not as much as I thought.

I think I can do a Tslot for $600 depending on what I use for top and sump area and skin for a 6' 150 tank
thinking a 2x6 stand will run around 250-300 depending on what I use to trim it out.

Just the stand, (see my build thread for photos): Materials cost $70.00

 

[Greybeard]

If I had to give numbers, some guesses:

$300 wood top
$120 2-part epoxy
$150 Old Marineland stand from a 265? (PSA Marinelands leak). (traded a tank, called it even)
$40 More 4x4’s and other support/trim pieces
$20 sandpaper
$20 underneath LeD lights
$25 Towel Bar. Best thing I ever did


If I had to do it over again? Custom steel square tubing weld job, same top.

Dude. Love that live edge. Got a friend that's been wanting to build a stand and canopy with a live edge like that, I'm going to have to show him yours. Great job.

Oh, on the steel... yes. I've built MANY wooden stands over the years. I'm unlikely to ever build another wooden stand for any tank over 100 gallons. Just doesn't make sense. Steel is cheap, way strong, leave the bottom much more open, it's easy to finish... Sure, you can throw together a 2x4 stand cheaper, but you're talking about something that you're going to be looking at and living with for many years. Don't cheap out on the stand, you're the one that has to look at it

 

[DzidtheReefer]

Made a 82x40 stand for my 72 tank so I can have 4 inches to spare on each side. I spent around 60 bux for the 2x4s and I always have screws around the house. I made a huge mistake of buying cherry plywood, and spent 250dollars on it, when I painted it I realized it was a huge mistake. But i than sanded it down so some grains can be visible.

 

[Devaji]

Plan done in Google's Sketchup

Sent dimensional drawing to local fab shop, had them weld it up out of 11g 1.5" square tube steel. $400. Took it to a local powder coating company, had them sand blast the mill scale off and coat it with gloss black, $100.

3 sheets of plywood, some oak 1x3's, a few hours of my daughter's time and talent with a paint brush, a hundred bucks worth of bartop epoxy...

Some basic cabinetry, a few odds and end bits... I think I've got about $800 in it.

Note: For that cost, I've got something that will last for decades... and not just an aquarium stand... it doubles as a bar

always have loved your stand great beard. I got a qoute for a 36" stand a while back from a wilder was like $400 just for the stand + poweder coating. might look in to that option again tho forgot all about it.

 

[Devaji]

I’d grab some 3/4” ply and build a plywood box. That would be one of the least expensive and most sturdy routes. Easy to trim out as well. I did this for a 120g 48x24x24 and it worked very well.

I do love 100% plywood stands. I am just not so sure on my building skills to get it square and level. it would be for a 60x24x12 or 60x24x24 or 48x24x20