DIY 55 gallon stand.....

[MACDADDY]

whutup y'all-

i'm gonna start setting up a 55 gallon tank this friday for my room. would it be safe to make a stand for a 55 gallon tank using cinder blocks and boards? how would i go about making an effective, cheap, and clean/mod looking stand? any help is much appreciated.

-mac

[ChilDawg]

I'm not sure that the stand would be even enough for the purposes for which it is needed.

[MACDADDY]

i believe i've seen it done before...

[CHINABOY1021]

i think a cheap and efficient way to place your tank is just got to a furniture store or a hardware store and buy a cabinet or something. most of them display the weight that can be supported. also some of them have a edge support instead of 4 legs which also helps.

someone people dont like how the tank doesnt fit the cabinet from furniture stores exactly, but it's not easy building a good looking stand, that can withstand the weight, without many power tools.

i like ikea, cheap furniture that are heavy duty and look good. just my 2 cent.

[HungryGoldfish]

Cinder Blocks and Fish Tanks go together like bacon and eggs. A winning combination all around. I'm married myself, so to make things look a bit better for the wife I toss a sheet over the cinderblock/plywood stand before I put the fish tank up there. Covers it up and makes it look nice for her. But for just us guys (if you are one and all of that sort of stuff) just the blocks and wood is fine.

[MACDADDY]

well hell yeah. i knew it could be done. so... how do you stack them? could i incorporate boards as shelves or i could alternitively use the holes in the cinder blocks as storage spaces? i'll probably need boards for the top, wont i?

-mac

[OrionGirl]

Yep, you can set the blocks how ever you want, as long as the top is level and stable. Then you can use either a piece of plywood (I'd go at least 1/2 in thick), or 2x4. The wood should be in contact with the entire perimeter, though you don't need to worry about the center of the tank.

Of course, you can make a very basic stand with just 2X4's--make two squares the size of the perimiter plus 1/2 inch, then connect those two squares with 4 vertical pieces on the inside corners. Use screws, putty in the holes, let dry, sand, and paint. Costs about $10, takes about 2 days, so you can let the putty and the paint dry.

[MACDADDY]

i'll send y'all pics when tha tank is done, tho it'll prolly be awhile before it's all stocked and everything decorated like i want to.....
peace and thanks for your help. - mac

[Heady]

Just a note, if your tank is glass, then what Oriongirl said was correct, however if you have an acrylic tank, it needs support completely along its entire bottom.

BTW my husband and I built a stand for my new 100 gallon and it is BEAUTIFUL but man was it a PITA to set up. Took about 4-1/2 days to assemble, stain and varnish, then another 2 days or so for the matching canopy. All made out of maple and stained with a honey colored stain, with 3 coats of varnish.

All in all, I think next time I may go the cinder block method myself...

[MACDADDY]

I'm not sure that the stand would be even enough for the purposes for which it is needed. - riiiiiiiiight, well i just finished my new 55 stand and it works perfectly.

this project took - 12 cinder blocks at $1.95 each, a can of spray paint, and a few painted boards, with another one for the tank to rest on separately. i dig it. peace.

[Drake Titan]

IMO..go get another can of paint and paint those blocks!! the it would look sweet

i just finished my 55g stand and hood...spent 150 buck used 3/4" oak plywood..dato cuts..2.5" screw and glue...totally over done....it actually held me my dad and my mom standing on it....(well over 700lbs) but I looks sweet...I'll post pics when I get some

[somefinnfishy]

You wont be macin when that tank explodes it doesnt have a top rim and WILL FAIL dude!
BTW I spent like 65 on mine with canopy

[MACDADDY]

alrite, you got me kinda scared now! :eek: i know this tank is at least 20 years old. the last 10 years it's been in a basement, in the last year it had more silicone put on it for good measure. the tank has never had a top rim. i'm guessing this is because it's an older tank? i was told it was 'custom made' and i know that the glass is a lot thicker than the regular glass you get with newer 55 tanks equipped with rims and braces. does this mean i'm safe?:confused:

[somefinnfishy]

If its 1/2 or 5/8 your ok best way to tell does it bow when full if any bow is seen you should rim it.

[MACDADDY]

doesn't bow at all :D ahh, i can sleep at nite.