I’m getting ready to build a stand for a fairly large aquarium – say up to 90 or 100 gallons. It will be 48″ wide, 18″ deep, 32″high. I plan to build a modern design, probably from hard maple.
The unit will have to support up to 800 pounds on its top.
Does anyone have experience on something like this? There are lots of pictures of stands out there from aquarium dealers, but the only DIY stuff I’ve found is for non-woodworkers – emphasis on strength and ease of construction.
With no other input, I’ll probably build the top from 5/4 maple, and probably a frame and panel type of construction. I can build the cabinet frame from 8/4 or 6/4 stock if needed. Will have frame and panel doors, definitely.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Don B
Replies
I built one for a 65 gal unit. I know it wasn't creative but I went to a large aquarium store, found a unit that supported the aquarium I was to use and simply copied they're structure. I used BB and painted the unit. It was kind of a fun little project. In four years I've never had a single person comment on the stand - they only look at the fish.
Thanks for your reply. Is "BB" Baltic Birch? I've seen that term recently, but not sure what it means. Is it plywood?
Don B
Don, do an "Advanced Search" using the word aquarium and limit to 6 months back, you find some info. One of our members has built many aquarium stands and has excellent info to share. Baltic Birch (or Finnish birch, exterior glue) ply comes in 5'x5' sheets and is much more stable and consistent than regular plywood. Has more layers, and few if any gaps. Can be found at "real" lumber yards (as opposed to the big box places, which occasionally carry some wannabee form of it).
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I built one many years ago to house a 70 gallon on top, a 29 and a 10 below. I framed it with 2x4's with lap joints and then "skinned it with plywood and oak. I had flip up doors for the two lower tanks. It was heavy, but a 70 gallon take was quite substantial. I did not build a wood top over the 70, but had my lights hanging down from overhead. All filtration equipment fit inside the cabinet. I would definitively recommend using an exterior finish because you are going to get water on it you cannot give up. Plan for all access holes for electrical, and piping for filters. I additionally put a drawer in mine and it was nice to have for storage of food, accessories, etc. I had a good quality GFCI power strip so that helped as well.
I did a very similar take on my 55 gallon tank stand. 2x4 framework, skinned it with beadboard wainscot panels and trimwork. Solid as a rock.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
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