Red Sea 525 XL Stand

[Forscythe]

Today I picked up my very first Red Sea Reefer XL 525. I bought it for really cheap from a guy I met at a local fish store. Unfortunately he only had the tank and no stand. I was wondering if it was possible to buy only the stand for it? I checked the Red Sea website and I didn’t see any stands only. My other option would be to build my own. Would love to hear your opinions on both options. Thanks!

 

[Mikeht11]

Today I picked up my very first Red Sea Reefer XL 525. I bought it for really cheap from a guy I met at a local fish store. Unfortunately he only had the tank and no stand. I was wondering if it was possible to buy only the stand for it? I checked the Red Sea website and I didn’t see any stands only. My other option would be to build my own. Would love to hear your opinions on both options. Thanks!

I would personally just build one for it. Red sea stands are definitely not the highest quality out there. Also you can choose the height you want if you build yourself.

 

[Forscythe]

Thats probably what I will do. I like the look of the reefer stands but I'll build it with better materials

 

[Forscythe]

I ended up building a wooden stand out of 4x4s and it's really heavy duty. I wanted a similar look of the Red Sea Reefer stand and I think it turned out pretty good.

 

[Forscythe]

Here what it looked like before I painted it. I added pop-out hardware to mimic the reefer stand openers.

 

[Mikeht11]

Well done! I would feel better with what you built than what redsea tanks come with.

 

[N.Sreefer]

I ended up building a wooden stand out of 4x4s and it's really heavy duty. I wanted a similar look of the Red Sea Reefer stand and I think it turned out pretty good.

Amazing job on that stand looks professionally done! That turned out much better than the stock stand.

 

[piranhaman00]

4x4 should never be used for stand making, they warp overtime because they do not completely dry, however you have it skinned very nice and shouldn’t be an issue, looks beautiful

 

[PeterC99]

I ended up building a wooden stand out of 4x4s and it's really heavy duty. I wanted a similar look of the Red Sea Reefer stand and I think it turned out pretty good.

If you mind the asking - how much did you spend building your beautiful stand?

 

[PeterC99]

4x4 should never be used for stand making, they warp overtime because they do not completely dry, however you have it skinned very nice and shouldn’t be an issue, looks beautiful

What supports do you recommend over the 4 X 4?

 

[piranhaman00]

What supports do you recommend over the 4 X 4?

Anything 2x which is 1.5” actually. Fully dry , I always use 2x6 but people use 2x4 no issue I always overbuild

 

[Forscythe]

Amazing job on that stand looks professionally done! That turned out much better than the stock stand.

Thanks, with a tank that heavy, I wanted to know that the stand wouldn't fail me lol

 

[Forscythe]

If you mind the asking - how much did you spend building your beautiful stand?

I believe it cost between $300 and $400. A little pricey but I feel much better knowing it's really heavy duty

 

[Forscythe]

4x4 should never be used for stand making, they warp overtime because they do not completely dry, however you have it skinned very nice and shouldn’t be an issue, looks beautiful

Thanks. I hope it doesn't warp but I went a little overkill when I bolted it all together so hopefully it won't be an issue

 

[Supa]

Build your own is my opinion.

 

[Forscythe]

Well done! I would feel better with what you built than what redsea tanks come with.

Thanks! I saw the red sea stands and was nervous so I figured I'd try to build one myself

 

[Forscythe]

Build your own is my opinion.

I definitely agree

 

[Supa]

I would use 4x4s and 2x6s(you could use 2x4 and be fine but I like to overbuild) I would also notch the 4x4s to accept your 2x4 or 2x6 so it helps support the weight and not all the weight on the screws alone.

 

[Forscythe]

I would use 4x4s and 2x6s(you could use 2x4 and be fine but I like to overbuild) I would also notch the 4x4s to accept your 2x4 or 2x6 so it helps support the weight and not all the weight on the screws alone.

I notched my 4x4s where they meet. I didn't want to fully rely on bolts alone.

For the doors, I used 2x4s for the hinge hardware and because of the solid 4x4 across the top, the 2x4s are removable so I can take the sump out if needed.

 

[Supa]

I notched my 4x4s where they meet. I didn't want to fully rely on bolts alone.

For the doors, I used 2x4s for the hinge hardware and because of the solid 4x4 across the top, the 2x4s are removable so I can take the sump out if needed.

I just seen your pics! Nice job way better then the Red Sea stand! I didn’t read all the comments until now lol.