Check out The stand I built for my 75 gallon.

[ashlyjames]

a Bit of an overKill In terms of load bearing capacity.

[wannabefishguru]

i like it, just put some doors on and your good to go.

[ashdavid]

Very nice stand. I also think doors would be good.

[Nathane959]

yes very nice. I like the trim. Nice touch

[Captain Hook]

That thing is solid! Looks good, any plans for paint or stain?

[Hannys_Papa]

**** are those 4 by 4s ? :-) How much does the stand weigh ?

[ashlyjames]

Thanks for the Response.
Believe it or not that is the first piece of furniture I have ever built.......(Darn it !! another Hobby to spend money on). :duh:
I also added a "slide on Top" canopy. Will post pictures soon.

I am not sure what type of stain to use. I do not want to lose the natural wood color.

And Yes they are 4X4s . I don't know how much it weighs. I Just shove it around leaning myself at 30 Degrees to the Horizontal :joke:.
I will find out ones I move out of the apartment.
Cheers :)

[Hannys_Papa]

I am no woodworking expert but did my fair share of woodworking projects in my life (i love wood) - i'd try to match the trim to the colour of the 4x4s - and then give the whole stand a nice clear coat (satin, gloss etc whatever you like most). After all its around an aquarium - water splashes, possibly higher humidity etc. The coat will protect it. But again ... thats just me - others prefer to keep the wood surface.

[RUSH2112]

Overbuild gooooood..... underbuild wet!!!!!

[ashlyjames]

okay... I added the tank canopy and bottom trim...........
next is Doors for the stand.

[slavenmonkey]

looks great and well built excelent job

[violatorjf]

Gotta love the 4x4 construction. That tank isn't going anywhere...very nice!

[ashlyjames]

O.k time for updates!
Here is picture of Doors and background.

[kittyhazelton]

I'd like to know how you built it. I need to get a stand for my 110 which has the same footprint size as a 75. I'd really like to know EXACTLY how much wood, dimensions, #brackets, etc. before trying to build my own. most of the DIY plans I've seen are pretty vague, and seem to be for smaller tanks. If you have the plans and everything from that one I'd really be interested.

[ashlyjames]

Hi Kitty,
From my limited experience in building stands (Built one :) )......
There are three Phases to Stand building.
a) frame.
b) Panels.
c) trim.

I used this http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php website to get initial dimensions for my stand dimensions.
I then went and bought just the frame components

Frame:
-------
you would need to buy
3 - 10foot 4X4.
1 - 10foot 2X4.
(I do not have a power Saw and had Home Depot do all the cutting for me.)

Here are the dimensions for 4X4:

4 - 48.5inch pieces
6 - 10.5inch pieces for cross braces (3 on top , 3 on bottom)
6 - 16.5inch pieces for Legs

Here are the dimensions for 2X4:
6 - 16.5inch pieces attached to Legs.(not mentioned in above website)
the 16.5inch 2X4 are secured onto the 16.5inch 4X4 Legs(use 2.5 inch screws)
so that it will securely hold the Cross braces.

you also need.

44 - 4 inch angle Joints.
264 - 2 inch nails.
wood Glue.

Place the pieces as shown in http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php
and secure the angle joints on all corners with 2 inch nails.

Panels:
-------

ones you build the frame it is time to get working on the panels of the Stand.
you will need 3 - 3/4 inch thick 50 X 20 inch plywood.

place the first one squarely on top of the stand and secure with 2.5 inch screws.
After applying wood Glue Place the second panel on top of the first and secure
making sure you choose different position to drive the screw in.

Now turn the fram upside down and place last panel on bottom and secure with 2.5 inch screw.

ones this is complete time to take measurements for the side panel.
it should meaure exactly as the side dimensions of the frame.
secure side pannel with 2inch screws.


Kitty,
Let me know if this rant is helping and I will cover Trims.....(to be continued).


Here are a few lessons learnt from this project:
1) Don't buy all the inventory at ones. Your ideas will keep evolving as you are working on the
project and you may decide to use a different type of material.
First buy structural components......take measurements...then buy panels .....
take measurements........then buy Trims.
2) a 4X4 isnot a 4Inch by 4Inch thick wood...It is Actually 3.5inch by 3.5inch.

[kittyhazelton]

Thanks! You are awesome.

[beviking]

OMG! 4X4's :thud: You must be Hercules! Mine is only 2X4 (though I used 3/4 plywood to finish it) and it is heavy!
Looks great though! Nice job! :thm:

kittyhazelton, my plans for the same footprint (may/may not be what you're looking for) are in my sig or here http://community.webshots.com/album/66733948IozKwp
To do it over again, I would use 1/2" plywood.
May take a minute to load the pic when you click on it.

Bill

[kittyhazelton]

YAY!! I think I will have to check out the hardware store. Thanks for the great info.

[ashlyjames]

OMG! 4X4's :thud: You must be Hercules! Mine is only 2X4 (though I used 3/4 plywood to finish it) and it is heavy!
Looks great though! Nice job! :thm:


Thanks Beviking! :)
Yep Its heavy!...won't be keen to move it around ones I decide on a nice spot.....can already picture my buddies going :rant: when I move next year.

[viboy]

Great stand. Who cares about the weight. How many people ever try to move a tank once it is set up?

[beviking]

Great stand. Who cares about the weight. How many people ever try to move a tank once it is set up?

Excellent point!!!! :idea:

[snorkel]

I'd like to know how you built it. I need to get a stand for my 110 which has the same footprint size as a 75. I'd really like to know EXACTLY how much wood, dimensions, #brackets, etc. before trying to build my own. most of the DIY plans I've seen are pretty vague, and seem to be for smaller tanks. If you have the plans and everything from that one I'd really be interested.

see this link for complete instructions on how to build a stand for a 75/90/110
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=60195

you don't need 4X4s, it will end up being extremely heavy. All that is needed is nice straight 2X4s.

[justfishing]

I'm really impressed. I was one who's man isn't a carpenter............

[Rometiklan]

That is a very nice piece of work. I would pay good money for a stand like that. It looked solid at first, but when you added the canopy, trim, and the doors, the whole ensemble became a thing of beauty as well. I'm going to try to build something like that by the summer when I get a 250+ gallon.