talk to me about aquarium stands/cabinets

ChuckP

ChuckP

overrun by java moss...
Mar 12, 2007
56
0
0
Central Virginia
www.chuck-parker.net
So I'll likely be picking up my 20g tank this weekend, though I haven't made a firm decision on a stand; I can't quite bring myself to trust the particleboard things they sell everywhere, but I also can't convince myself to drop a few hundred on something really high-end.

What should I be looking for in terms of something that will:

-stand up to the job of holding 200+lbs of "glass box full o' water",
-will manage to stay stable and level on low-pile berber carpet,
-look reasonably attractive (or can be camoflauged to look reasonably attractive),
-and not set me back much more than 100 bucks?

thanks,
chuck
 
most lunbar/hardware/home stores will cut you wood to your needs, for a little charge.. thats what i do since i cant use my tools or get big sheets of plywood in my place. its really cheap, if you use plywood, but you can use whatever kinda wood you want, they'll cut it up for you :)

but those "cheap" ones work good as long as you dont get them to wet or they warp. i have a 60G on one, its just two peices and a top like this > | | of half inch ply wood and thats about 700lbs.
 
Thanks, for the info -

I've been considering DIY, as I have some tools about (if not a large area to use them), and several big box lumber stores nearby - I am, however, not particularly adept at woodworking. Though I suspect I could screw a few 2x4s and a plywood platform together.

I actually saw an idea on the 'net that seemed cheap, reasonably sturdy enough, basically a few stacked cinder blocks with 2x4s and a sheet of plywood on top, and I could reasonably cover it up with a fabric throw or something, but I worry that even if they're heavy, it could get knocked askew without much trouble (especially with a couple of kids rampaging through the room).

anyone have luck with this?
 
since you don't mind covering with fabric, how about a metal stand that sits on a layer of 3/4 inch plywood. The plywood would be between the carpet and stand and make it more stable. That would be cheap.
 
Peg_legs said:
since you don't mind covering with fabric, how about a metal stand that sits on a layer of 3/4 inch plywood. The plywood would be between the carpet and stand and make it more stable. That would be cheap.
Click to expand...
I had a wrought iron stand under my old 20. It looked pretty nice and was very strong too. I picked it up at a yard sale but I'm sure you could find one around somewhere. The stacked block thing is good. Hey, in the old days that's how we did everything. :cool2:
 
I've got those wrought iron stands. You can put two tanks on them, one on top of the other. Don't take the PennPlax ones, even if they are cheap, because those are wobbly. The fixed ones are very stable. For a 20 gallon, I'd expect them to cost something between $50 and $60 at your LFS.
 
after thinking about it, I think I'm going to go with a DIY stand based on a frame built from 2 x 4s (I have all these deck screws left over from some fence repair last summer, might as well use them) with a top platform of say 3/4 inch plywood?

I need to confirm the actual dimensions of the tank I'm buying (standard 20 high - those are roughly 24x12x16 right?), but I don't expect it'll be too difficult, and I'll be able to reinforce things more than enough than I'll probably need, which will settle my nerves a bit, and I'll still spend less than a stand from the store.

thanks for the advice, guys!
 
Perfect Solution:

Go to a stereo store and get a pair of good metal speaker stands w/ a decently wide/long top. These top sections generally have a couple of little holes in them. Buy a real wood shelf board at a HW store (probably available in a black finished veneer, or seal & paint yourself) and attach it to the stands using short drywall or wood screws. The stands should have adjustable spikes, so leveling on berber isn't a problem.
eg:
TARGETFS60D_004.jpg


Please don't ask me where you'll be putting your filter, food, timers & light ballasts.
 
I like the cheap metal stands. I want to see fish when I look at the tank and I think the big wooden stands are distracting. The space underneath for a second tank can be used for a nice decorative box or basket w/ a lid to keep all your supplies in.

I have the Penn Plax stands; mine don't wobble. They are on wood floors though.
 
Thanks for all the advice, gang...lots of food for thought.

However, I have arrived at a solution. I got the bug and hit the hardware store yesterday afternoon, picking up a few pressure-treated 2x4s, some 3/4 inch plywood, and a box of wood screws.

Jumping off from the DIY stand ideas on the board, I built frame-and-shelf stand (25 inches wide, 13 inches deep, 26 inches high - slightly bigger than a 20 gallon high footprint), which is level, stable and sturdy (I, a 240 pound man, can stand on it securely without any wobbles).

A couple of yards of clearance fabric from the craft store and my staple gun gave it a nice skirt to cover up the exposed beams and keep the lower shelf (where I'll put the bucket, vac, and assorted sundries) out of sight.

I'll probably get some cheap crown molding to wrap the front and sides, to cover up the less-than-attractive plywood, and give me a 1/2 inch lip around the tank shelf for a little extra retaining security.

total cost: around 32 bucks, and about 90 minutes of my precious time.

I took a few pics last night, but haven't pulled them off the camera yet. When I do, I'll share, if any are interested.

In any case, I'm happy with it.
 
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