Should I build a stand or just buy one?

[chesterthehero]

where in socal?
what size tank?
how "nice" are you wanting it to be?
do you like the term "no such thing as overbuilt"

 

[Pyramid_Party]

1. Im in the San Fernando Valley.
2. 55 gallon - 48x12
3. Doesnt have to look fancy, I dont even care if its painted
4. Yes, in fact, I want it overbuilt.

 

[leopio]

i don't mine helping you out i too want to learn how to build one aswell for future reference. Let me know.

 

[cichlid2006]

design the layout of the structure using google sketchup. i used it to knock up a few stand designs and it was really helpful. use threads on here too, a lot of them are step by step threads so you can copy with the structure but finish it how you want.
good luck.

 

[Pharaoh]

Yeah, if you copy what you see on here. there will be no worries. Big key to to being good at anything is to not second guess what you do and do not know.

 

[chesterthehero]

1. Im in the San Fernando Valley.
2. 55 gallon - 48x12
3. Doesnt have to look fancy, I dont even care if its painted
4. Yes, in fact, I want it overbuilt.

that sounds like
-6 (maybe 7.. so you can screw up a few times) 2x4s
-a box of screws (3" the black and purple box at HD)
-hand saw (wait on the powersaw.. learn to do it by hand first.. then use the finger taker.. trust me.. it builds character.. it will put hair on yer chest)
-drill
-drill bit (3/16 if i remember correctly)
-pencil
-tape measure
-speed square/t-square
-level
-2-3 cans of rattle paint ($.97 at HD)
-*sheet of plywood
-*hinges
-*handles
-no more than 3 hours of your time


*if you want to skin it..

if you have a truck... pick a weekend and drive over.. if not.. dont worry its not that hard.. its a box...

 

[Pharaoh]

He's got it covered. ^^^^^

Simple skeleton stands with no finishing or covering cost about $20 to make.

 

[shelbyzman]

I'm not the best at building stuff....but I built my stand and canopy for my tank.

My advice is to build you own. There are many good designs that you can find on this forum or do a google search.

Here is what my stand looks like. It was $140 total for everything.

Tools used:

circular saw 2x4's (hand saw would work
power drill (pilot holes and screws)
jigsaw (plywood cuts)
miter box/saw (trim pieces)
measuring tape and pencil ( a must have )