DIY 165 Gallon Aquarium Stand Help

[Industrial]

I not too long ago bought a 6'x2'x20" 165 gallon aquarium. The aquarium came with a 2x4 stand that was 30" wide, which I wouldn't have had enough room for.

The tank had faux oak trim and my living room has mostly cherry and darker wood colors. I am trying to cover up the trim with possibly a lip around the stand.

I looked into stands for a 6x2 tank, and the pine one is kind of ugly, plus there wouldn't be a lip that would go around the trim. The next cheapest stand was way too much.

So anyways, I am thinking of building the stand out of 2x4 as my original design of mostly 2x6 would have been over 250 lbs (which would have been too heavy for me and my girlfriend to move).

Does 2x4 seem like it could get the job done? Any tips on building a stand for a tank this heavy out of 2x4?

 

[Clay]

Yes, 2x4s are more than strong enough to hold up your tank.

We (as fish hobbyists) assume that our tanks are heavy and unstable and we need 4x4s every 10" to support these monster tanks. A single 2x4 has a crush strength of something like 18,000lbs. Putting them in each corner is more than enough stability and durability for anything you can throw at it.

 

[Industrial]

Yes, 2x4s are more than strong enough to hold up your tank.

We (as fish hobbyists) assume that our tanks are heavy and unstable and we need 4x4s every 10" to support these monster tanks. A single 2x4 has a crush strength of something like 18,000lbs. Putting them in each corner is more than enough stability and durability for anything you can throw at it.

Okay, thanks for the reassurance!

 

[liontammer]

the stand will be ezy to build the lip can be tricky if i were you i would get some 1" wide x 6" tall pieces of wood and make a border around the stand for the lip. then you can take a router give it a nice edge and your done lol cheep and looks great as well as very easy.

 

[Industrial]

I think I got a design down that I want to do. I will post some pictures of it in the morning!

 

[Bazinga]

if your worried about the weight, why not cut all your wood where you can and then bring piece by piece inside and assemble where you want it, minimal movement and a single 2x6 or 2 wont kill you to move it seems like a pain in the rear end which it is ive done it because the stand wouldnt go up the circular stair case it had to go up but its only like 20 mins ontop of your work

 

[Industrial]

if your worried about the weight, why not cut all your wood where you can and then bring piece by piece inside and assemble where you want it, minimal movement and a single 2x6 or 2 wont kill you to move it seems like a pain in the rear end which it is ive done it because the stand wouldnt go up the circular stair case it had to go up but its only like 20 mins ontop of your work

That would be a good idea if it were a larger stand for a larger tank, but I don't think this tank stand needs to be built as heavily anymore.

 

[Industrial]

This is the final stand design I think I will be doing

 

[CLDarnell]

Very nice!

A canopy on top would make your set up...pop

 

[Industrial]

Very nice!

A canopy on top would make your set up...pop

Definitely, I am going to still have the faux oak trim still on the top that I want to cover up.

The canopy, and doors for that matter probably aren't going to be assembled for a while. For now, I just want to get the stand assembled so I can have the tank set up and running before I head back to school.

Now I just have to find a way to get the lumber home!