Need advice on stand for 350g aquarium. Wood? Steel? Aluminum?

[HenryC]

I got an upcoming 350g, 10' aquarium where my vieja and oscars will live happily, but I need to get a stand first. This is my biggest aquarium ever and I need everything to be perfect haha. Does anyone have such big and heavy aquariums? What type of stand do you have?

I would really like you guys to give me any suggestions, structure ideas, building materials, finishing touches... anything that you think is important to take note for such a gigantic aquarium. All my stands have been wood, but I've only had up to 90g aquariums. This is more than triple the water/weight!

Wood? Aluminum? Steel? How to deal with uneven flooring for such a big tank? Also, I live in earthquake prone area so gotta keep that in mind when building the structure!

Please share any advice/photos/whatever you think might help me. Thanks!

Pic: It's an aquarium identical to the one I will be getting. I saw them installing it and asked for one.

 

[celebrist]

I think wood is both attractive and sturdy this is my 450 stand that we built

 

[Rocksor]

Best of both worlds, steel stand for support and then wrapped in wood for looks.

I think wood is both attractive and sturdy this is my 450 stand that we built

View attachment 1473763

do you make a build post? or have blueprints?

 

[celebrist]

Best of both worlds, steel stand for support and then wrapped in wood for looks.


do you make a build post? or have blueprints?

Unfortunately no, I just did a basic 2x4 then skinned it with 3/4 ply and tongue in groove paneling. I built a header across the center opening as well, that's why it's lower

 

[Denon]

I think wood is both attractive and sturdy this is my 450 stand that we built

View attachment 1473763

Tongue and groove looks nice. If you did 3/4” all around I bet that sucker is heavy. You probably needed a case of v8 to lift it. ?

 

[Arthur11]

You should buy an aquarium stand made of durable materials. This is why I would advise against getting a stand made entirely of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). MDF absorbs water easily, which makes it undesirable for use as an aquarium stand.
On the other hand, powder-coated steel frames are the best as they are highly rust-resistant. They can also carry more weight compared to MDF.

 

[pacu mom]

Be prepared to shim the stand. The tank needs to be level. I like the design of this stand better than the one in your picture.

New DIY metal 360 stand!!!!!!

What do you guys think of the new stand!? Just finished it today. Used 1.5x1.5 11guage square steel tubing. My wood stand was extremely bulky and hard to access inside. With this stand will be a lot easier to sump. :)

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[ptgb]

That size tank is a lot of weight. My 450g glass is estimated at 5000-6000 pounds. Wood in vertical compression is incredibly strong, but you need wider widths for a tank that size. I chose steel because of wanting a more open stand for access. Then skinned it using 1x4's, cabinet panels from IKEA, and magnets. I can take off all the panels to allow full access to the sump.

 

[pacu mom]

That size tank is a lot of weight. My 450g glass is estimated at 5000-6000 pounds. Wood in vertical compression is incredibly strong, but you need wider widths for a tank that size. I chose steel because of wanting a more open stand for access. Then skinned it using 1x4's, cabinet panels from IKEA, and magnets. I can take off all the panels to allow full access to the sump.


View attachment 1476080View attachment 1476085

I like the wheels for moving your stand. We used a pallet jack to move our tank and stand around

 

[12 Volt Man]

I got an upcoming 350g, 10' aquarium where my vieja and oscars will live happily, but I need to get a stand first. This is my biggest aquarium ever and I need everything to be perfect haha. Does anyone have such big and heavy aquariums? What type of stand do you have?

I would really like you guys to give me any suggestions, structure ideas, building materials, finishing touches... anything that you think is important to take note for such a gigantic aquarium. All my stands have been wood, but I've only had up to 90g aquariums. This is more than triple the water/weight!

Wood? Aluminum? Steel? How to deal with uneven flooring for such a big tank? Also, I live in earthquake prone area so gotta keep that in mind when building the structure!

Please share any advice/photos/whatever you think might help me. Thanks!

Pic: It's an aquarium identical to the one I will be getting. I saw them installing it and asked for one.

View attachment 1473762

Can they make you a tube steel stand exactly as that one is? tube steel is super strong. Although my tanks are nowhere near as heavy as yours will be (90g and 150g) i have them on tube steel stands.