I wasn't sure if I should have posted this in the DIY forum or the lessons learned forum. I'm just finishing up building a tankstand for my 55gal, and after looking over my reciepts I've spent $147.55. I still have to return a 2x6 and some handles that I decided not to use, and pick up some hidden latches, so the total may change. Anyway, I was thinking of posting this in the lessons learned because I built the stand in the aftermath of one of the worst hurricance seasons ever. It didn't really dawn on me until I added up my expenses and was wondering why I spent so much. 
I feel like such a dumbass, I built this thing because I wanted to save money, but I ended up spending as much or more for what I could have bought a professionally built one.
Another lesson learned is that I'm not much of a carpenter.
Pics may come later, I'm hoping for a digi cam for Christmas.
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/75g_stand/index.shtml
I tried to follow this guy's instructions^, but I modified it slightly. I changed the door design and the trim, and I put my crossbeam braces on the upper frame box instead of the lower, and I used heavy-duty metal tee joist supports instead of the dinky little tee's he used.
His stand looks a lot better than mine, though. In fact, if I saw my stand for sale for the price that I paid for all my materials, I wouldn't buy it.
But on the bright side of things, Big Al's is having an end of the year sale. They have a 125gal tank, stand, lid and light strip on sale for $450.
I feel like such a dumbass, I built this thing because I wanted to save money, but I ended up spending as much or more for what I could have bought a professionally built one.Another lesson learned is that I'm not much of a carpenter.
Pics may come later, I'm hoping for a digi cam for Christmas.
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/75g_stand/index.shtml
I tried to follow this guy's instructions^, but I modified it slightly. I changed the door design and the trim, and I put my crossbeam braces on the upper frame box instead of the lower, and I used heavy-duty metal tee joist supports instead of the dinky little tee's he used.
His stand looks a lot better than mine, though. In fact, if I saw my stand for sale for the price that I paid for all my materials, I wouldn't buy it.
But on the bright side of things, Big Al's is having an end of the year sale. They have a 125gal tank, stand, lid and light strip on sale for $450.
