Quality Tank Stands

[Fence13]

I've been researching this a bit and everything keeps taking me back to Red Sea or Waterbox. I keep looking at "cheaper" alternatives but the reviews are so mixed it's hard to know what you're getting. Aside from buying a Red Sea Reefer or Waterbox, what other companies produce a good quality stand?

A lot of reviews on here claim that SC Aquariums and CAD provide MDF board stands. Is there any truth to that? SCA has a great range of sizes for what I'm looking for but I want a stand that will hold up to water spills.

Any experience with Deep Blue Professional? I have questions on their quality if they are cheaper than Marineland...

Glasscages advertises oak stands, but their overflows appear to be large and bulky...

 

[Susan Edwards]

Are you looking for a tank/stand set up, or a stand to go with a tank purchased separately. I have a RS Max C250. Love the quality stand which is why I went with it. For my new build, I got a tank from Craigs list and had to dump the stand that came with it. It took a while to find what I hope is a good quality stand at a decent price. I went with an R & J birch stand in black. Purchased at Petco online for just over 400 bucks. I emailed the company a couple times and they responded. It is being delivered tomorrow so we shall see... The R & J stands seemed to be good quality and reasonable in pricing anyway.

 

[Fence13]

I feel it's easier to get them both together that's all. Mainly so the overflow bulk heads are in the right spot on the stand.

 

[Rakie]

I really like SCA aquariums myself.

I've messed with a few Red Sea stands at RAP during setup -- I'll be frank, they felt like Ikea furniture.

 

[Water Dog]

SC Aquariums gives you a choice of either MDF or plywood stands.

 

[McGarnicle]

I just emailed SC Aquariums last night asking about their stand quality and the different finishes they offer. I want to pull the trigger on a new 120g tank and stand but trying to avoid the cheap MDF stands this time around.

 

[Fence13]

I just emailed SC Aquariums last night asking about their stand quality and the different finishes they offer. I want to pull the trigger on a new 120g tank and stand but trying to avoid the cheap MDF stands this time around.

Please keep me updated with what they tell you!

 

[ChiCity]

I just emailed SC Aquariums last night asking about their stand quality and the different finishes they offer. I want to pull the trigger on a new 120g tank and stand but trying to avoid the cheap MDF stands this time around.

If I were you, I wouldn’t order a stand from SC...
This is the garbage they sent a fellow r2r’er recently...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sc-aquariums-review-please-read.346046/

 

[Fence13]

If I were you, I wouldn’t order a stand from SC...
This is the garbage they sent a fellow r2r’er recently...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sc-aquariums-review-please-read.346046/

That's rough. That's the kind of review that makes anyone scared of doing business with them.

 

[reefwiser]

If one really wants a great stand one that the wife will be happy having in HER LIVING ROOM. Their is only one choice Cris Benner. He is a customer woodworker and a hobbyist. His stands are the best. He makes stands for Reef Savvy but will make a stand for any tank.

http://www.bennerswoodworking.com/photo-galleries/sticks-n-stones-aquarium-cabinetry/

 

[Susan Edwards]

One reason I went with Petco for my stand was if it wasn't good or right I could load it into my trailer and haul it back for a refund! Will post results here.

 

[PatW]

I have just assembled an Innovative Marine stand and it looks pretty good.

If all else fails, you can do a DIY frame for a stand. There should be plans in the forums here. The frame is the critical part because it had to provide support for the massive weight of the aquarium. But once you have the frame, I bet you could find a local cabinet maker to put an attractive skin and set of doors on it.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I purchased a SC Aquariums system a few years back and the stand was shockingly great! Hard woods and very well built. Not sure if anything has changed.

 

[Fence13]

I purchased a SC Aquariums system a few years back and the stand was shockingly great! Hard woods and very well built. Not sure if anything has changed.

Was it one of their normal or regular sizes?

 

[Susan Edwards]

Here is the R& J Stand. Quality is pretty good. I am going to add a pc of plywood under the sump and paint it black. The top is also a thin sheet but the 2 bracing pcs line up with the tank bracing on the bottom so it should be good. All in all, very happy esp. with the price of 404.00 which is where I needed a stand to be. R&J has many choices as well.

 

[JMetaxas]

I ordered an R&J Enterprises Xtreme stand on Amazon before Christmas.(for my planned 180 gallon Reef Tank) In wanted a 36" tall stand and Petco didn't carry that online.

The Amazon stand was ~$595 shipped after taxes. It's supposed to arrive on Jan 2nd. I'll let you guys know.

 

[Susan Edwards]

What color did you order. I thought I saw the 36 in black as I looked at it. To match my other furniture, I should have gone more natural but they didn't have that choice. Main reason for black is I have a canopy from the stand that came with the tank. I ditched the stand and we can salvage the canopy until I can afford one that matches. I also wanted a place I could return the stand if it wasn't up to quality I wanted without having to pay any fees or restocking. Could just load it on our trailer and return to any store. It was so hard to find out info on these stands and there were no pictures whatsoever of the inside or back. I think I'll start an R&J thread for people looking and encourage others to post their pics as well. It was very frustrating.

I almost went with the xtreme but I'm 5' so that extra six inches shorter will be nice for me... Still will have to use a step ladder.

 

[doughboy]

Buying from SCA is like rolling a dice, you take a chance. I have never read about a Red Sea issue that was not resolved satisfactorily. Red Sea stand is MDF, so are ELOS stands, and they are just fine.

 

[John Holbrook]

I have just assembled an Innovative Marine stand and it looks pretty good.

If all else fails, you can do a DIY frame for a stand. There should be plans in the forums here. The frame is the critical part because it had to provide support for the massive weight of the aquarium. But once you have the frame, I bet you could find a local cabinet maker to put an attractive skin and set of doors on it.

I build my own stands. I don't like the cheap looking ones that are manufactured, they don't look like they could hold a any weight on them.

 

[Fin]

If you are not comfortable building your own, maybe check out local cabinet shops. I had mine built by one 10 years ago and about to put my second tank on top of it. This thing is rock solid and no framing lumber used. The structural part of the stand is made of two 3/4" thicknesses of cabinet grade plywood bonded together. So, the sidewalls & headers are 1½" thick. Lots of room inside