Modifying MDF stand?

[samnaz]

About a year ago, I bought a stand from Petco (Aquatic Fundamentals Upright 75/90) for a new build I’m still putting together. Back then I didn’t know the DIY stand route was the way to go for countless reasons, so here I am stuck with this stand and trying to make the best of it.


Hopefully someone can offer advice on how to fix a couple things I can’t stand about it…. ;-)


First, it’s 28” short.

Way too short, my tank is only 13 inches tall. Ideally, I’d like the stand to be 6-10” taller.

Please forgive me if this is a stupid/ridiculous question… is there some way I can build a platform / riser to increase the overall height of the stand?

Should the platform go underneath the stand, or on top of it?

What should I build it with? (2x4’s, cinderblocks, wrapped in plywood, etc?) An example or diagram would be VERY helpful.

How many cross supports would it need?

How should it be secured to the stand?

Other materials needed? (screws, brackets, etc)


I was also thinking (if a platform or riser is even do-able) it could be helpful for stowing away all the electronics, power cables and cords. Perhaps I could add some sliding drawers. Maybe removable doors or panels for easy access.


FYI, I know absolutely nothing about carpentry and I’ve never built anything. Hanging a picture frame is the extent of my handy work… Forgive me.



Second, the paint job.

It looks bad, scratches very easily, and not very water resistant. I want to add a topcoat to the exterior for extra protection (I have already repainted the interior).

What type of gloss clear coat / enamel / polyurethane / etc would provide the best protection and give it a smooth glossy finish?



Some photos of the stand:

 

[rayn]

Take a crack at building a base for it. 2x4 will work fine. It’s basically just a stand for the stand.

Glue and screw, don’t nail it together. If you’re just getting started I to feeding, you will upgrade at some point and will be able to use the skills down the road.

You may be able to do like a clear coat spray over the top of the cabinet itself. The particle boards ones aren’t very durable long term around water. Not saying they fail easily, but they can swell. I have one under a 20 and the bottom has swelled almost to the point I can’t open the door anymore, but it still holds the tank it was designed for.

 

[samnaz]

Take a crack at building a base for it. 2x4 will work fine. It’s basically just a stand for the stand.

Glue and screw, don’t nail it together. If you’re just getting started I to feeding, you will upgrade at some point and will be able to use the skills down the road.

You may be able to do like a clear coat spray over the top of the cabinet itself. The particle boards ones aren’t very durable long term around water. Not saying they fail easily, but they can swell. I have one under a 20 and the bottom has swelled almost to the point I can’t open the door anymore, but it still holds the tank it was designed for.

So for the base, would something like this work?... Could I build two and stack them?

 

[rayn]

I would assume so, but you would want them joined together some how so they can’t shift.

Why not just one tall enough to meet your needs though?

 

[samnaz]

I would assume so, but you would want them joined together some how so they can’t shift.

Why not just one tall enough to meet your needs though?

Of course that would be preferred, but how? With wider pieces of wood such as 2x6? If there is such a thing as 2x8 that would be even better.

 

[rayn]

Looking back at your drawing, are you wondering about the red boards on the bottom? I was thinking you were building that structure.

But if you’re just building the red part, yes 2x8, 2x10, 2x12. You could even go LVL at 16” if you wanted. I would cap it too with plywood, not particle board or osb.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Use 3/4" plywood to make a box for the stand to sit on. Skip the junky 2xs. Slap a few coats of your favorite latex paint on. Then several coats of a water based poly top coat.

 

[Sleepydoc]

+1 to using plywood. Much easier to get a straight & level platform.

 

[samnaz]

Use 3/4" plywood to make a box for the stand to sit on. Skip the junky 2xs. Slap a few coats of your favorite latex paint on. Then several coats of a water based poly top coat.

I’ve never used latex paint before so what’s your favorite? Also any water based poly you recommend?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

latex paint - valspar
water based stain - general finishes
water based poly - general finishes

https://www.amazon.com/General-Finishes-Water-Based-Gallon/dp/B00JJ34HTO/

I’ve never used latex paint before so what’s your favorite? Also any water based poly you recommend?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

see this? all 3/4" plywood. no 2xs at all.

 

[samnaz]

see this? all 3/4" plywood. no 2xs at all.

Very nice. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of a plywood design/layout for the base I could emulate? I have no idea what I’m doing and you’re clearly a pro.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

really up to you. what are you ideas?

Very nice. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of a plywood design/layout for the base I could emulate? I have no idea what I’m doing and you’re clearly a pro.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

if you just want a box, here are some very basic things to get you started. youtube could be your friend here or email me: matt(at)octoaquatics(dot)com

1. you'll need five pieces of wood cut. i generally use red oak (if stained) or even birch (if painted). birch is cheaper but oak has a nicer grain.
2. you'll need a pocket hole jig with the appropriately sized screws.
3. you'll need wood glue, i use titebond 3.
4. you'll need a metal square or triangle.
5. you'll need 180 grit sandpaper.
6. you'll need tack cloth.
7. you'll need wood filler.
8. optional - router to make the edges pretty.

use the glue and pockets holds to join one end piece to the front piece. then the second end to the front piece. then flip it over and attach to the back piece. then flip it and attach that to the top piece (it should be upside down now). if your cuts are accurate then you won't need to do any trim routing. if you have any overages then you'll need to route those flush. then comes the optional routing of the edges, or you could just sand them down so they're not so sharp. use wood filler to cover any splits or mistakes. give the whole thing a good sanding. then use a tack cloth to wipe off the wood dust. finish how you want. done.

it's essential all vertical dimensions are the same otherwise it won't be level.

fyi, the wood glue provides all the bonding power. the screws just hold it together while the wood dries. wood glue will ALWAYS be more powerful than screws!

 

[stefanm]

Why not just fit kitchen plinth legs and plinth or just some 6-8" legs, cheap and easy.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Why not just fit kitchen plinth legs and plinth or just some 6-8" legs, cheap and easy.

I wouldn’t trust legs like that for an aquarium stand. They’ll hold the weight ok, but if it gets bumped from the side there’s a risk of them tearing out the entire stand falling, especially with MDF