Taking a Stand

I mean: making a stand. Out of plywood and common 2 by 4s. For less than twenty bucks, you can make a strong, decent looking aquarium stand customised for any aquarium up to about 60 gallons. If anybody is interested, I'll post some instructions.

Although no one has expressed an interest in my saw dust making techniques, I'm going to post pictures of my latest aquarium stand building project. This may take a few weeks, because I'm going to wait for things to cool down in Phoenix. If anybody laughs, I'm going to pout. This may involve several postings, but when the project is done I'll ask the administrator to help turn it into a blog.

What's this? You just can't wait? ... for me to get off the subject..

i would like to see it and do you have instructions for a like 29 gallon?

We can't wait for Pics John! LOL!

The stand I'm making is a double decker for a 46 bow front and a 30. Since it will be holding quite a bit of weight, I'm going to add some 3/4 inch plywood sheets to the 2by4 frame so everything will stay flat. For a 29 gallon tank, you can use common 2by4 lumber and make a bottom shelf from plywood or pine boards. I hope everybody enjoys watching a crapsman at work making saw dust and maybe a stand.

That sounds just fine John. I have always wanted to build my own stands in the future. This should be a very useful learning experience for me. Post away.

I really thought with the addition coming to a close, that I'd be building my stands for my new fish room really soon...

but alas...

David says that we need to just go ahead and remodel that room first... which don't get me wrong, it'll be really good. We're going to tear all the old paneling off the walls, and tear up the carpet. Rewire the room and add lots and lots of plugs, tile the floor and put up new siding. We're going to go under the floor and build a couple extra piers to hold the extra weight. Then I do get my sink and an extra drain in the floor.

So... needless to say... it's going to be a while before I can get my fish room up and running. I've been looking at acquiring things for it... And I've been trying to get him to let me buy some more tanks... I'm so overcrowded right now, I could EASILY have 4 more tanks running right now... just species specific... which I REALLY need with the bows... actually, maybe 5! I need the room in the fish room... UG!

Oh well... I'll let you know when I start it, and I'll take some pictures along the way... LOL!

You go first John!

You're very lucky getting to have a fish room, and it sounds like you're going about it the right way. Please don't forget to send pictures.

STAND MAKING STEP ONE

Before you start making saw dust, it's a good idea to measure the aquarium and write down the dimensions of at least the base. Add about one inch to the length and width so the stand will have at least a 1/2 inch apron all the way around. That 1/2 inch apron helps compensate for the fact that common lumber is seldom straight enough for doing precision work. The fudge factor makes up for the lack of both precision materials and precision crapsmanship.

Using the aquarium dimensions, you can draw a crude sketch of the stand and use that to make a materials list before you go to the lumber yard. In addition to the lumber, you will need some three inch screws, a good quality wood glue, and some paint or varnish. Latex paint covers up mistakes, and varnish shows them. On the other hand, if you don't mind some thorough sanding, varnish will show off the wood grain, which can be very attractive even in common lumber.

In the next installment, I'll drag out all the lumber and try to make the stand base and legs.

Today, the project went faster than expected. It even has a photographic record, which will be posted after project completion. Very strong, very crude. Well?

My brother made me a stand last year ..store bought stands dont look as good as home made ones..ill have to get a pic of it...i would like to make one myself ..cant wait to see the pics

Here are some of the materials it takes to build a double deck stand for a 46 bow front and a 30. I found some fairly straight two by four inch by eight foot long common lumber and bought six pieces. The most expensive material was a four by four foot piece of 3/4 inch birch plywood. For the money, I got strong, straight, and clear wood. Still, it's a bit difficult for one person to handle when cutting smaller sheets. I didn't cut any plywood until the frame part was put together. That red package in the picture is a box of shims; they're handy when things don't turn out perfectly flat and straight. Since I have a an operational saw dust making shop, things like glue, screws, paint, sand paper and scraps of lumber were already available.

The basic dimensions of the stand are 40 inches wide by 18 1/2 inches deep. Because this stand will accommodate two aquariums, I left a 28 inch space between the bottom shelf and top shelf. In addition, the space between the front legs needs to be wide enough to let the 30 gallon aquarium be slipped into the bottom shelf.

Call me lazy if you want, but a power miter saw simplifies all the cutting chores.

The legs are made from eight, 30 inch long pieces of 2by4. Each leg is then an L-shaped piece glued and screwed together. It pays to use a high quality wood glue that is not affected by water drips.

Next on the cutting list is the base, which consists of four pieces cut at a 45 degree angle. The four pieces are then glued and screwed together to make a frame. The legs get attached to the frame using more three inch wood screws and glue.

OK. It needs sanding, but power tools will also help with that chore. Once all four legs are attached, lay the stand on its frame, and very carefully measure the distance between the insides of the legs. Cut two pieces of 2by4 to each of those dimensions. Since the stand has to accommodate two aquariums, the L-shaped legs have to be oriented to leave the widest gap in the front and/or back to allow for placement of the bottom aquarium. To help square up the stand, lay the lengthwise 2by4s (bottom braces) flat, and glue and screw them to the bottom of the stand legs. Next, turn the short pieces on end, and glue and screw them to the legs as well as the bottom braces.

To finish the construction part of the stand project, cut the top and bottom shelves from the plywood, and cut a couple of 2by4s to fill in between the bottom braces. This gives extra support to the bottom shelf. If you wait like this to measure and cut the plywood shelves, they'll fit the actual, as built stand rather than a drawing. The two extra bottom braces can be glued in place then later screwed and glued to the bottom shelf. Glue and screw the shelves to the stand, and get ready for some wood filling and sanding.

when you brak it down like that it makes it seem pretty simple. im going to have to try that thanks

The stand is now holding two aquariums and 80 some gallons of water. I'll post more pictures in a day or two.

Since the new stand is just going in the fish room, I didn't spend very much time on the finish. However, lots of appearance options are available. In addition to sanding and filling, there are all sorts of moldings, plain and fancy, available in home improvement stores. You can fill in the back and sides with bamboo or other decorative materials or paint the whole thing to look like marble.

To build a stand for a 10 or 15 gallon aquarium, it's OK to use 2by3 lumber instead of 2by4. Please feel free to add suggestions to this epic of crapsmanship, and later it may turn into a blog.



PS: The stand looks way better than that ugly picture.

Hey guys!! just thought i'd tell you about my new stand!!. i have a 24gallon tank, but i can set it up yet as the small table its on wont hold it with water in, my grandad is making me a stand and he said i can paint it whatever colour i like!!! im going to paint it pink!!!! how ace will that look!!! i will try and post pictures, but im not sure if my computer will let me, i'll try though!!!!

That's Awesome John! Way to go!

John, you have finally inspired me to try this project myself. In a couple weeks when we get some extra money I will go to lows and have them cut the wood for me. I plan to make a double decker that will hold both my twenty tall and my ten gallon qt tank. I am pretty sure the plan you have shown here will work. I will just need to adjust my measurements.

Right now, the Lowe's on Northern has some pretty good two by fours for two bucks each, which is a great deal considering current lumber prices. The plywood is the expensive part, but you may not need the 3/4 inch birch for a small stand like that. Anyhow, you and your husband are welcome to come over and use my power saws some morning.

By the way, those two angelfish you gave me are just beautiful, and they seem happy in my aquarium. Thanks.

Thanks for the offer and the good tip John. I am glad you are enjoying the angelfish. I just posted some more photos of the ones you gave me on the other forum. I think one may be a good match for the dd black I got. Hopefully, I can get some nice black hybrids. They seem to have enough aggression to keep up with him. I just love the green shimmer they get when they hit the light just right.

hey guys, my stand is painted!!!!! IT LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!! haha im really excited to get my new tank set up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!its got a little compartment underneath with spotty flooring stuff. It looks really awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you can post a picture, especially because of the creative colors and decorations.

oh i will try my hardest, as i just cant resist showing off this great little stand, but i have a rubbish computer, but beleive me i will try!!!!!!

OK John, I am going to get the 2x4's, screws, and glue today. I have all my measurements done. I will let you know how it goes. When I get the frame done I will go get some plywood for the bottom and top shelves. I am making it tall enough that I can install a removable shelf above the bottom fish tank. That way I can still store food and stuff underneath yet still be able to remove it all when I need to do a water change.

I hope the project goes well. What size aquariums are you going to put on the stand?