I have that problem, the only ones around here are expensive and I don't trust myself to build my stands.
Recommend me a GOOD tank Stand
- Thread starter Pyramid_Party
- Start date
Well, I figure if I could get wood cut for me in sizes I need, and I could get some sorta guidance from the forum, I think I could put a stand together. I just need to know all the specifics so that I dont screw up. I may start a thread and ask about all the details. If I feel like I may mess up I may try to find someone to make one for me.
+1 on having the lumber yard or home depot cut the boards for you....save alot of time!
Just got done building a stand for my 125 gallon. It totaled about $110.
I doubled up on the 2x4's so it is overbuilt. I used 1/4" luan to cover the 2x4's and stained it.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and it cost much less than a "factory" stand and is much sturdier.
Later I will probably end up putting up a thread with pics....just have to upload my pics off of my camera.
Just got done building a stand for my 125 gallon. It totaled about $110.
I doubled up on the 2x4's so it is overbuilt. I used 1/4" luan to cover the 2x4's and stained it.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and it cost much less than a "factory" stand and is much sturdier.
Later I will probably end up putting up a thread with pics....just have to upload my pics off of my camera.
If you do feel daring and want to build one yourself there are lots of plans and instructions on the internet.
I do understand your hesitation, I would be nervous to do something like that as well, though doing it yourself seems more logical.
I do understand your hesitation, I would be nervous to do something like that as well, though doing it yourself seems more logical.
If you're looking for store-bought, try to find the All-Glass Aquarium Pine stand or something that is solid wood at least, it's much more reliable than the MDF/particle board and I got one for around $150 at my local shop (I did have a 20% off coupon).
Here's a pic that I made up when I was looking for the right 55g stand, just so I knew which were real wood. Maybe it'll help as a lot of these stands aren't branded but the design is the tip-off. Good luck!
Here's a pic that I made up when I was looking for the right 55g stand, just so I knew which were real wood. Maybe it'll help as a lot of these stands aren't branded but the design is the tip-off. Good luck!
I would hesitate on HD cutting your wood for you. They will always tell you "we do not do precision cuts", which practically means "if you come back saying its 1/8th rather than the supposed 1/4th, it's our fault." If you can trust the guy on making exact cuts, then go ahead. Otherwise, you risk the chance of having a sloped canvas, which is a crucial factor in your stand. It needs to be leveled. If infact, your dimensions were off, you can always sand sand sand.
A circular saw is roughly $35.
i just bought screws, two gallons of wood glue, 2x4s(6 10footers), drill bits, and a circular saw for $90 in Chicago at HD.
A circular saw is roughly $35.
i just bought screws, two gallons of wood glue, 2x4s(6 10footers), drill bits, and a circular saw for $90 in Chicago at HD.
Knowdafish;2924946; said:"petco/petsmart/lfs all sell 55 stands made of MDF and sometimes they have metal ones that are held together by gravity..."
Metal ones held together by gravity.
Don't use/buy anything made from MDF!!! MDF is a catastrophe waiting to happen!!!!
held together by gravity and about 480 pounds of pressure pushing against welded metal joints. I have one and it is very, very, sturdy when you get a filled tank on it. I don't use it anymore, but that's just because it's ugly.
+1 for no MDF. The only thing it is good for is insulated speaker boxes.
Pyramid_Party;2925776; said:
Grab a saw, a drill, a tape measure and a level. You're good to go. If you can count and measure then this is pretty straight-forward stuff. When you get into bigger tanks, the form of support comes into play a lot more but not so much with tanks this size. If you are unsure of any plans you find, post them up on here and we can tell you if they need to be better or not.
agree about well made steel stands.
I have one made of 1.5" steel tubing for my 150 and it is about as solid as you will ever get from a stand bought from a LFS: it will last much longer than the tank will no doubt: 30 years later this stand is still going to be holding strong. some of my other stands of the same type were almost 20 years old when I sold them. still solid as day one.
I have one made of 1.5" steel tubing for my 150 and it is about as solid as you will ever get from a stand bought from a LFS: it will last much longer than the tank will no doubt: 30 years later this stand is still going to be holding strong. some of my other stands of the same type were almost 20 years old when I sold them. still solid as day one.
