Poll: What is your stand preference?

[dbl]

Curious what your preference is when considering a new tank stand? Do you prefer to use the factory stand for that seamless look? Do you have one built custom for you needs? Do you prefer to build your own? Lastly, what material do you prefer?

Let's see what folks are doing when it comes to their stands.

 

[andrewkw]

I'd prefer to have one built for me. In reality I follow Rocket Engineers plans and wait years if ever to skin them.

 

[Captain Quint]

I only allow one master carpenter build some of my stands. I prefer to build them and generally use oak.

 

[Jinko]

Build one normally it's cheaper and you can design it the way you want it, depends on the size really as to what to use, wood unless it's big then steel and/or block/concrete.

 

[madweazl]

Wood and custom built by a local club member who does fantastic work.

 

[cracker]

+1 Jinko I build my own always seem too have more room . The cost is much less.

 

[DancingShark]

I have the onethat my 125 came with. First reef tank ever. When I am ready to upgrade it will be a diy stand.

 

[mckinney0171]

great topic. I love the stand that is factory made for the tank. But, I really hate the pressed wood stands as I fear like crazy that they will crumble under the weight and saltwater spills. I really wish these companies would stop making those. I would pay the premium for the solid wood or metal stand.

 

[TheEngineer]

In the midst of building a custom stand for my cube. It is made of pine.

 

[Ash321]

I would never want a stand that is flat pack ! My ea reef pro came all together very durable water proof inside and out ! As it should be! I remember at work a betta stand 400 litre reef tank after 2 years got water damage from normal maintance when we removed the tank the stand collapsed!

 

[TDS ZERO]

I’ve always gone dumpster diving and found terrific stands for my biocubes ^_^

Recently just purchased an large dewalt shelf for my breeder setup

I like the look of the industrial shelves the most followed by a nice rustic looking stand

 

[Crabs McJones]

I had a DIY stand when I first started out, and it worked, but it didn't look good. So I recently purchased a pre-built stand, and so far its working nice and looks nice. However when I move into my new home in a few years, i'm going to commission one of the users on here to build me a custom stand.

 

[Brew12]

DIY with wood. Some day I may even finish skinning it! Ran out of time to work on the stand before I needed to swap out systems.

 

[themcfreak]

Prebuilt would be cheaper, but Planet Aquarium stands look so good and seamless, it was too hard to pass it up when I bought my tank. They are beautiful! Mine is black, so hard to see the beauty in this picture, but its very clean looking. This picture is when I had just got water and my rocks transferred from old tank. Bonus shot of the dog!

 

[cracker]

Some of these diy stands are high cabinet quality. Good job guys ! Mine don't turn out too bad.

 

[seaplane]

If there was an ugliest stand contest, I certainly would be in the top 10! This was supposed to be temporary, as I paid a guy to build one for me. After he took my $$ he promptly spent it on "recreational" medicine and got himself arrested. I have to stop trusting smooth talkers.
As ugly as it is ( the pics make it look far nicer) I really like everything else about it. Being on wheels is a great asset.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I DIY'ed my stand using RocketEngineer's plan:

Proven plan, easy to build....up to four foot tank, all 2x4's; over four foot, top frame 2x6, rest 2x4's....no center brace needed.

Here are the bones to my stand:

The reasons for building my own stand were:

1. I'm a woodworker....have to justify thousands in tools.
2. My tank was five foot long and stands that size are hard to come by.
3. Wanted a "high" stand...didn't want to bend over to view my tank.
4. Wanted a "window" to expose the sump.

Here it is skinned and an equipment cabinet to the side.

 

[cracker]

Rockets design is great. I do leave out the lime green uprights . I feel the purple upright 2 by4's at 90 degrees as shown is plenty strong .

 

[Brew12]

Rockets design is great. I do leave out the lime green uprights . I feel the purple upright 2 by4's at 90 degrees as shown is plenty strong .

I feel the lime green uprights are important to help prevent buckling. Without them the design doesn't have much in the way of lateral support.

Proven plan, easy to build....up to four foot tank, all 2x4's; over four foot, top frame 2x6, rest 2x4's....no center brace needed.

Very similar to what I did. I did sister 2 2x6's across the front of my 5' tank to avoid a center brace. Probably overkill, but it was cheap and easy insurance.

 

[cracker]

agreed the uprights easily get in the way ! I was afraid not to put an upright in the middle of my 6 ft tank. If I had used 2 by 6.this center could easily be removed for sump removal. Man,why didn't I think of that !