Tank stand for a 5'X2' tank
#1 Guest_teleost_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 08:27 PM
I bought this odd size tank last summer and built the stand this fall. I've been meaning to post this for a while. I'm not suggesting this is best design but it's pretty close to how commercial stands are built. All of my stands are this basic design, pine boards for support and a thin plywood veneer.
Below is the frame constructed of 1" X 6" uprights and 1" X 4" top and bottom
step__1.jpg 40.11KB 1 downloads
Next I prepare the veneer plywood by marking and cutting the doors and install it. I also add light bracing near door openings and areas where the plywood needs a little extra support. Sorry about the dirty lens.
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Now I install the trim and make the door. I use the same piece I cut out and add a hearty rectangular trim to assure a good fit on the door.
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Next I sand, drill holes for required plumbing and apply stain.
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Then I give several coats of urethane and install hardware.
step__5_.jpg 22.09KB 1 downloads
And last, add aquarium,water, fish, filter and lights. Well, a little more than that goes into the last step but you get the idea.
complete.jpg 54.68KB 3 downloads
#2 Guest_Newt_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 08:39 PM
I'm building a stand for a 55 gallon, and all the uprights are 2X4s, just because I worry about these things. But commercial stands for huge tanks will have nothing thicker than 3/4" pressboard. Makes me nervous, that does.
#3 Guest_teleost_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 08:54 PM
The plywood is called luan (really inexpensive) and I would not hesitate to use a tank twice as tall on this same stand. I recall the tank being a 90 gallon.
I have used 2 X 4's way back in the day and I simply found it doubled the weight since I still needed to have a certain numbers of uprights to help distribute the weight.
#4 Guest_octavio_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 09:12 PM
Edited by octavio, 17 March 2008 - 09:20 PM.
#5 Guest_schambers_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 09:14 PM
Thanks for showing it to us.
#6 Guest_mikez_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 09:23 PM
Much nicer than anything I would ever slap together.
I like that odd ball tank. Looks like it would make a great planted tank - nice and big but not so tall.
#7 Guest_bullhead_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 10:34 PM
Yeah, it would look great planted with emergent plants.Very nice!
Much nicer than anything I would ever slap together.
I like that odd ball tank. Looks like it would make a great planted tank - nice and big but not so tall.
#8 Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Posted 17 March 2008 - 10:51 PM
You could probably get the lumber cheaper by making your supports out of 3/4" plywood instead of 1x planks.
#9 Guest_alter40_*
Posted 18 March 2008 - 01:39 PM
#10 Guest_rick_*
Posted 18 March 2008 - 07:50 PM
Rick
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