75/120/150 gallon stand (pics)

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J

jschall

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2009
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Chico, California
I've started work on a stand that will support my 75 gallon (4' x 18.5" footprint), and will support a 120 or a 4' 150 (Oddball, I know, but I've seen one. Same as a 120 but 6" higher.)

Here's what I have so far:
stand1.jpg

The 75 will sit on a 2x4 laid on-edge on those slots in the 2x6s. Larger aquariums will sit on a rectangle the same size as the one around the bottom. There will be 4 more 2x4 posts between the bottom rectangle and the top rectangle so that the screws are not bearing the entire load. Given what I've read about how strong 2x4s are, I think I'll be able to park a couple SUVs on it when its done.

Next to go in: a plywood shelf for the bottom. 1/4" pine plywood. I cheaped out. I think it'll be strong enough for a canister filter though.
 
Will you be enlcosing the base with plywood or leaving it all open ?
 
dawnmarie;3882408; said:
Will you be enlcosing the base with plywood or leaving it all open ?
Click to expand...

The base will have (and has, I just put it on) a plywood shelf that canister filters will sit on.
The front and sides will be paneled in (probably) 1/4" oak, but I may end up going with something cheaper and painting it black. Would much rather have oak.
 
I was thinking about the filtration and realized I need the bottom shelf to be strong. A 30+ gallon sump is not light. 1/4" pine won't be sufficient. Will I be alright if I put a 2x4 every 8ish inches along the bottom, under the plywood?
Anyway, coming along... as you can see, the legs are going to be pretty sturdy.

stand2.jpg


stand3.jpg
 
Finished frame. 2 lbs of screws. Metal angle brackets wherever I could fit them. 6 vertical 2x4s, 2 vertical 2x6s. Should be able to support a few SUVs.
stand4.jpg

stand5.jpg


Next up: paneling, then trim, then moulding, then obtaining a cabinet door, then staining. After that, it dries and goes under a tank.

If it were my living room, it would already be under a tank. However, it's my parents', so I have to make it look decent. I think it looks beautiful the way it is =P
 
The paneling went on the sides:
stand6.jpg


The oak 1x3 you see at the bottom in the picture is going to go around the bottom, and will be mitered at the corners. A 1x4 will go all the way around the top, extending up to cover the bottom frame of the aquarium. Hoping the 8ft pieces I have are adequate. They'll have to be cut absolutely perfectly.
Ran out of wood glue. If all goes well, the stand will be finished and stained tomorrow.

Big thanks go out to my dad's help and his ownership of an air-powered finishing nailer.
 
Nice looking stand, Very well done.

Cant wait to see it with tank
 
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