Tank stand

[thefatman]

I built my first stand today. So far I'm happy with the progress. Listed below are the materials list, how I built it, dimensions, etc.

The stand was built for a 55 gallon tank - ( dimensions 48" x 13" )

The stand dimensions are : 48" wide x 20 1/2" deep x 36" high (note: I noticed that most commercially available stands were 29" high, but I wanted mine to be slightly higher for better tank viewing.) I also allowed for 7 1/2" clearance between the back of the tank and the back of the stand. This will allow room for an overflow box, hoses, etc.. And still allow me to place the stand all the way against the wall.

Materials list:
FRAME:
4 4' long - 1"x 6" lumber - top/bottom/front/back runners
6 36" long - 1" x 4" lumber - legs
6 17 1/2" long - 1" x 4" lumber - front to back strapping

SHELFS:
1 48" wide x 20 1/2" deep - 3/4" plywood - top shelf
1 43" wide x 18 1/2" deep - 3/4" plywood - inside bottom shelf

PANELS:
2 17 1/2" wide x 30" tall - 1/4" plywood - left and right panels

MOLDING:
1 48" long mitered molding - front top mold
2 21 1/2" long mitered molding - left and right side top molds

DOORS:
2 25" high x 20" wide - 3/4" plywood - left and right side doors

MISC MATERIALS:
2 wooden handles/knobs with bolts
1 box of 1 1/2" finishing nails
1 box of 3/4" finishing nails
1 box of 2 1/4" galvanized decking screws
1 box of 1 1/4" black self tapping screws
1 pint of wood stain

TOOLS:
Drill, phillips screwdriver, circular saw, jigsaw, miter saw and box, hammer, tape measure, sanding block, level, paintbrush, two rags.

TOTAL COST:
$50.00 ( i already had all the screws, nails, and paintbrush)

[thefatman]

The first thing I did was VERY PATIENTLY cut all my boards to size. I wasn't really sure how big the overall frame would be once complete, so I cut all the legs, runners, and straps first.

I put the frame together by nailing the legs to the runners then screwing through the legs and runners into the straps. I also drilled pilot holes for all the screws first, to avoid splitting the straps. This could be done any number of ways, and the legs and straps could have been all the way to the outside edge, but I chose to inset them 1 3/4" for aesthetics, just to get a different look to the stand.

Once the frame was all together, I then measured what my size needed to be for the top shelf and cut it to size. The shelf was screwed to the straps and runners , again I drilled pilot holes to avoid splitting the runners and straps.

Next I cut my top front and side molding. The mitering was the fun part. Even though I have a miter box and saw, I've never been very good at getting a good miter with curved molding. But I'm at least semi happy with the end result.

Next I measured what my side panels needed to be and cut them to size. I attached them to the inside of the stand using finishing nails. Most people choose to panel the entire outside of a stand, but again, I wanted a different look to the tank, so I opted to put the panels on the inside so the framing could be seen. I thought it made it kind of decorative.

Next I measured and cut my inside bottom shelf. The tedious part was cutting all the notches so that the shelf would fit flush inside the framing. But in the end it gave a nice result. I realized I didn't have any supports on the ends for the shelf, because they were on the outside of the side panels, so I cut 2 more 17 1/2" long straps for the ends to attach the shelf. The shelf was nailed down to the straps.

The next step will be to add the doors, and stain the unit. Once that's done I'll post the rest of the pics and info.

[thefatman]

the frame

[thefatman]

the top and molding

[thefatman]

a close up of my horrible miters

[thefatman]

the side panels are added

[thefatman]

the inside bottom shelf is added

[thefatman]

view from the back

[thefatman]

front view. now it just needs stain and doors.

[Doug1]

Man I wish I had payed more attention to this thread yesterday. Actually it cam out looking pretty nice
How are the end panels attached? can you set it up so one or both end panels can be removed by pulling a few screws? That s what I did on the stand for my 75. Its actually sized to accomadate a 2x4 ft 120g tank. In the open space behind the tank I used a hole saw and jigsaw and cut 4 6"x1 1/2" slots for the pvc pipe and stuff to pass thru down to the sump. My sump is a 48x15 wide tank so the removable ends were mandatory , FWIW

[grazhopr]

Hi,

This thread came out at the right time for me.

Doug, do you have pictures of that stand construction ? a link to a DIY site that shows step by step instructions, materials, etc. ?

I'd like to start building the stand for my 120 gal (2'x4') tank, but I'm not sure what to buy and how to construct something that'll hold all the weight safely.

Thanks

[thefatman]

hmm, actually i hadn't thought about the end panels being removable. as the wet/dry that i set my heart on is an aqua clear model 75, and an aqua clear model 175 skimmer (for this 55 tank)

however, the panels are attached from the inside using just 4 small finishing nails. two on top and two on bottom. also, the nails were 1 inch, and would go through the other side of the framin, so i actually cut them to be about 1/2" long. so there are no nail heads. if i needed to remove the panels, i could probably just hit them from the outside with a hammer, with no force at all.

however, i posted in todays good morning thread, my mom came over this morning, saw the stand, and confiscated it! and it doesnt even have doors or stain yet!! so now i'm off to lowes for MORE lumber to build ANOTHER stand today!!

i'll attach my inside panels with screwes on this new one, now that i know that removal could be neccessary in the future.

i was planning to drill holes into the tank shelf for my output and input hoses, but hadn't yet, as i wanted to wait till the equipment arrives, so the holes could be drilled to the proper sizes.

now that mom has confiscated this initial stand, it's a good thing because she runs only freshwater. but i still am going to drill a small hole for electrical wires from her hood, filter, and lights. that way the stand can be flush with the wall.

i'll psot more pics later tongiht, when her stand is complete, as well as pics on my progress of the new stand, because i'm goign to make a few design changes.

[Geoff]

nice job, at least your mom confiscated it for another fish tank. i had several of my tank stands confiscated for plant duty.

G~

[Flatfish]

Good job. Very nicely done.

Looking forward to seeing it come together.

Joe

[thefatman]

well folks the stand is finally done. i got the doors added, got all the hardware in place (hinges, knobs, cabinet closers, etc) got it all stained, and set up........at MOMS!!!!!!

it took a while because i started the second stand before hers was done! serves her right for confiscating mine!

i went through a few design changes in the second stand, based on dougs recommendation of a removeable side panel, as well as some inspiration from flatfishe's stand that he built. (i'll post another thread for the second stand)

the only problem i ran into was at setup, i realized that my top shelf was not level. the middle was 1/16th of an inch higher than the ends. i panicked and got some great advice as usual from the reef tank members. ultimately i went with 1/4" styrofoam sheeting under the tank to absorb inperfections in the wood. (5.00 bucks for a 4x8 sheet at lowes) once that was in place, everything went smooth. next project is a canopy for both stands!

anyway here are the rest of the pics to completion.