How to: Building an aquarium stand

[nitro]

I loved this thread, we need more threads in diy like this. You Answered questions before they were asked and you were very detailed.
Thank you, Nitro

 

[jedimasterben]

Looks great jedi! I really recommend that appliance epoxy paint on the inside. It has held up well over the last year.

I actually have that stuff on my 40 breeder reef stand, it's awesome stuff. Smells to high heaven though!!

 

[jedimasterben]

Final version, no frame, just the 1x poplar boards and some plywood for the top and inside floor, was reassured by a carpenter that it would hold no problem

 

[Rhino]

Excellent job! This stand looks fantastic.

 

[jedimasterben]

Final result

 

[Milkmanskid]

That is gorgeous!!

 

[glb]

Great build and thanks for the detailed instructions!

 

[kevantheman35]

Nice work jedi! Great looking stand

 

[jedimasterben]

Nice work jedi! Great looking stand

thank you! Lots and lots of work and little bits here and there of frustration (like the poplar boards not all being the same width, some were 1/16" off!) and some dirty words, but I love it. Now that I am even better with the kreg jig, I want to either redo the stand for my 40g breeder or split it into two different tanks. and make similar stands to this one. It never ends!

 

[kevantheman35]

Yea that kreg jig is a great tool, really makes things simple.

 

[kevantheman35]

@jedimasterben did you buy frosted glass panels or spray your own? I wish I would of found a source for frosted glass and may switch them out in the future

 

[jedimasterben]

@jedimasterben did you buy frosted glass panels or spray your own? I wish I would of found a source for frosted glass and may switch them out in the future

It is actually 1/4" acrylic that I sanded with 150 grit on a palm sander. I was considering glass and then using a frosted film on it, but my daughter will be mobile soon, so I figured I'd better use acrylic

 

[New2dareef]

So looking for opinions. I'm building a stand for a 180 gal, 6'x2'x2' I'm thin linking of spanning with a 2x6 and a 2x4 glued and screwed together.
Am I thinking crazy or not?

 

[kevantheman35]

So looking for opinions. I'm building a stand for a 180 gal, 6'x2'x2' I'm thin linking of spanning with a 2x6 and a 2x4 glued and screwed together.
Am I thinking crazy or not?

I've seen a lot of people use 4x4's for the corners of tanks that size. The rest either 2x4 or 2x6.

 

[Windy]

Why not glue two pieces of 3/4" ply together to make a 1 1/2" header that will be twice as strong. Most homes are now constructed with manufactured joist. The web of those joist is 3/4" plywood and the joist are stronger and more ridged than the old 2" x 12" joist.

 

[jsker]

Why not glue two pieces of 3/4" ply together to make a 1 1/2" header that will be twice as strong. Most homes are now constructed with manufactured joist. The web of those joist is 3/4" plywood and the joist are stronger and more ridged than the old 2" x 12" joist.

I am also not a fan of 2/4's for the reason they take up a lot of space and also a soft wood. In new homes most of the board they are using is stranded, and is used in a covered environment. Stranded board is a pain to finish smooth. If plywood is to be used, myself I would seal all edges of the plywood with finish before assembly to keep the plywood layers from separating if water leaks from the tank. In my cabinet build I used very little glue, except for the side board glue up, tenon joints on the drawer front and dovetailed drawer boxes. The rest of the construction is 4/4 mahogany, birch ply inside, pocket holes, and 8 pin nail for the bottom quarter round molding. Both @jedimasterben and @kevantheman35 built great cabinets, I really like the trim work and the doors on both. Nice work

 

[kevantheman35]

I am also not a fan of 2/4's for the reason they take up a lot of space and also a soft wood. In new homes most of the board they are using is stranded, and is used in a covered environment. Stranded board is a pain to finish smooth. If plywood is to be used, myself I would seal all edges of the plywood with finish before assembly to keep the plywood layers from separating if water leaks from the tank. In my cabinet build I used very little glue, except for the side board glue up, tenon joints on the drawer front and dovetailed drawer boxes. The rest of the construction is 4/4 mahogany, birch ply inside, pocket holes, and 8 pin nail for the bottom quarter round molding. Both @jedimasterben and @kevantheman35 built great cabinets, I really like the trim work and the doors on both. Nice work

I like you're technique and may adopt it in future builds

 

[jsker]

I like you're technique and may adopt it in future builds

Thank you, it is a strong and quick way to build and box without waiting for the glue to dry

 

[XtremeATC]

Thanks Kevan for sharing your work with everyone. I decided to build a stand and use your design for my current tank. Just about finished just have to do the doors and get the glass etched.

 

[New2dareef]

What I'm trying to accomplish is not having a center leg for my 180gal. I build sets for television and movies so I understand the layered plywood, glu-lam, silent joist, strength factors. 2x6 and 2x4 are much easier to sand and finish.
I'm looking for easy access to equipment. Not getting any younger