DIY multiple tank stand

Dahlia

Dahlia

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Sep 3, 2003
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I am considering building a DIY stand to hold 6 tanks. I'd like for it to be 3 tanks high and 2 across... so 6 tanks total. I'd have 2 29 gallon tanks on the bottom level, 2 20 long tanks on the middle level, and 2 20 longs on the top. So it would be 138 gallons in all.

Is this possible as a DIY project? I know some people have fish rooms with crude looking hand made stands, and my LFS always builds their own stands which hold a lot more than 6 tanks. I don't mind if they don't have a finished wood look (I can always do something interesting to make them look nice). The stand dimension generators don't cover this kind of thing, so what sites should I look at to learn about building stands?
 
I think you will need to wing it. I've built multi-level stands before. If I were you I would make two separate stands, one for each three level combo. It will give you far more flexibility in the future.

Be sure to leave enough room to comfortably maintain each tank. You need enough room above the lower ones to get you arms in there to move things around. Also, you may want to consider using glass canopies on the tanks and build the lighting into the stands.
 
I'm wondering if it would be easier to reverse the amount. Instead of 3 high and 2 wide, it might be easier to do 3 wide and 2 high. It will be easier to work on the higher tanks and also be more stable.
 
I would agree with Captain that two high three wide might be better unless the 29's are almost on the floor. Which creates issues if you have to siphon anything out. I just built a stand that will eventually hold a 55 on top, four 10's turned sideways in the middle and two 24" wide x 12' high tubs on the floor beneath. The slightly over 49" width worked out well beacuse the 10s and tubs are lit with shoplights. But, the top tank which is a 30 right now is really high and even a little uncomfortable to work in. But, it is a planted tank. If it where just a grow out tank for fry it may not be so difficult. Mine is just a 2x4 structure with particle board shelves. The top shelf is essentially a 49" x 13" 2x4 box with a partical board top. The middle is 49x21 with additional brcaing in the middle. The legs angle back towards the top. This angle gave me easier access to the middle tanks. I haven't yet fully populated it with tanks, but I am sure I will.
 
The space I have isn't wide enough for the 3 wide, 2 high idea. Which is pretty much my incentive to build upwards to get more tanks. I figured I'd need a small step ladder to deal with the top 2 tanks, which I don't mind doing.

I'm now thinking I'd like to put 6 tanks on the bottom but have the short ends facing out. I think I will still use 29 gallons for this. Then on the top two shelves I would still have 4 20 gallon long tanks facing the "normal" way.

Thanks for the webcam pics chefkeith, that looks really nice!

Does anyone have a recommendation for how many inches of space to leave free above each tank in order to easily work inside of it?
 
Depending on the thickness of your arms, I would say around 7 inches between the top of the tank and the bottom of whatever is above (hood,lights). You can place any utensils in the tank and then your arm. Getting a syphon started can be tricky but the water level will not be right to the top of the tank so it's do-able.
When you have one arm in the tank, if you're pulling things out, you can hand whatever it is out to the other hand.
HTH
 
I agree that 6-7 inches is adequate space above the tank. I apologize I don't have a camera right now to show you this. But, I designed my stand so that the shoplights will recess up under the framing of the shelf above when I need to maintain the tanks on that shelf. This way you are not having to account for the total of 4 1/4" for the framing for the shelf, plus 6" for the light plus the 6-7" for the space to access the tank. the lights hang on chains that are just long enough for the heigth I want when I am not in the tank and I have a hook attached to the light side that I raise the light up with and hook to the eye hook when I need to get into the tank. PM and will try to get a picture of it for you if you like.

One question: aren't 29's 12" wide turned endwise? If so your stand would have to be over 6' wide. You will extra strong supports to span that distance. A little over 4' is the most I would go with 2x4 framing, Any wider and I would go with at least 2x6 framing. I hope this helps.
 
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