nachocheese70;1095639; said:All-Glass and Pefecto stands for smaller tanks (such as the 55 GA) use a 3/4" pine board. The one with the scar is the back portion, about 4" wide. The other picture with the huge knot is probably the side (you can see part of the door assembly). The sides are full pieces, so overall, there is plenty of wood to support the weight with extra safety factor - which you have to have when dealing w/ pine since they are usually loaded with knots. It's a mass produced "cheap" commercial wood furniture, so unfortunately, it's what you get. Building your own, you typically get to choose the lumber piece you buy (at least I do when it's for me, but when I worked in construction, I worked with whatever the lumberyard delivered), but mass produced buy in bulk, at a much lower price, so of course quality varies.
My biggest concern would be water damage/rot. Definitely make sure you've got the wood sealed w/ an oil based coating (polyurethane is good) - though IMHO nothing beats pressure treated wood for continual water expose.
Anyways, that's a nice and solid stand. IMHO, it's better to overkill, especially when it's free wood! Do you plan to box the stand in with wood board, or just leave it open like that?
If it had been for me, I would've made it nicer. You know, like enclosed with doors and such. But, I made it for a buddy on a budget. He wasn't as concerned with looks as much as having an affordable stand. So, it is what it is- a basic sturdy stand. I did add a top to it, but nothing else.
With the price of tank stands in places like Pet Smart and the like, I think a person could stand to make a small fortune building quality stands for hobbyists like us.
For instance, I was in a Pet Smart yesterday and the stand for a 125 gal. was more than the tank by $100 ($425 for the stand and no canopy). I feel I could build one sturdier, more pleasing to the eye, and about $200 cheaper.
As far as that goes, I built one for my 54 gal. corner tank for $75. It has a door and is covered in oak. They wanted $300 for the corner stand at the Petco and it was particle board painted black. It was a little complicated to build considering the bowfront, but I ended up making it in the shape of Superman's chest shield. Knowing what I know now after building it, I could've made it much nicer for not much more cash.
Check it out...
