Looking for stand ideas

[GoldeneyeRet]

I am planning the stand for my new tank. It will be made of 2x4/2x6 or if I can get my nephew the welder over it will be steel. 7.6 long x24 tank

Either way, I am looking for ideas on skinning it out. I am thinking of not having doors but removable panels all the way around. I have been looking at some backsplash tiles to put on the panels. Maybe add some lighting on the top lip.... Also looked at some hammered/patina copper sheeting as well as some corrugated steel.

Help me out here, I am more of a builder than a designer! Lets hear or see some ideas, please!

 

[CastAway]

I went with steel and love it. Have yet to skin it after four years.

Materials are more, but it should last forever.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

That's very nice

 

[mtraylor]

I have metal stand that is powder coated and love it. I would also look at aluminum as it would be more resistant to the salt water.

 

[pdisner]

Man! That is really nice. I have to admit, I was like...steel? Hmm...

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Fasade-18-5-...hermoplastic-Multipurpose-Backsplash/4068895#

How would something like this work/look?

 

[1WildBill]

Have you thought about an acid etched galvanized metal?

 

[Greybeard]

Here's mine

Stand is 1.5" 11 gauge square steel, sand blasted and powder coated gloss black. The shelf was painted with coral designs by one of my daughters, and covered with a quarter inch (2 gallons!) of pour on bar top epoxy. Looks great, easy to keep clean, and durable as heck.

Over the next month or so, now that it's not so cold I don't want to be in my workshop, I'm building the bookshelf inserts for under the tank. White epoxy inside, natural oak outside, solid oak trim. Picture two of these, one inserted into each side of the stand... and then picture the art projects my girls made in school, maybe some liquor bottles and fancy glassware. A low output white LED in the top of each unit... I'm hopeful it'll look pretty good when I'm done

 

[davocean]

I would take steel over wood for frame, but wood is fine too.

I'd avoid the copper you mentioned, don't want that around tank environment for one, and 2 it would be a nightmare to clean and keep clean, and I'm not sure about that bronze either for that reason.

I'm a carpenter, I've built many stands, typically a wood frame and a 3 sided wood skin or skirt that slides on or off as needed, freestanding.

Panel doors can be ok, but I just prefer hinged, soft closing hinges, w/ quick clip release for easy removal when you really need to get in there.

 

[davocean]

This is how I skin a stand, regardless of wood or metal frame.
It's just a 3 sided freestanding facade, you can slide in place, or remove as needed.
Once it's in place, you'd never know it's not attached or mounted.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Great ideas guys keep them coming!

 

[mrpizzaface]

In my experience removable panels tend to get beat up. I would stick with a nice soft close Euro hinge. They clip on and off very easy, so doors can be removed if needed. I don't think you need to use steel for the stand unless you want to. I don't think a solid wood frame is necessary either. I would probably do all plywood construction, in whatever varietal you liked best. I prefer solid nosing. As an alternative you could use laminate, glued using wood glue (not contact adhesive). The world is yours. If you wanted a hammered copper, shaker style frame and panel doors would be cool with copper laminated to the panel. You could clear coat the copper or leave it to patina.