Whipped up a 55 Gal Stand for $29.95!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
ErikFromNJ

ErikFromNJ

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2009
224
0
16
Maywood, NJ
I picked up (2) 55's from an MFK member here a few days ago, and to make a long story short, my father-in-law was a cichlid breeder back in the 70's and 80's but was forced to quit due to his health. This was many years ago. Well the other day he stopped by, saw all my tanks and the (2) 55's. He asked me what I was doing with them followed by talking about fish for a few hours. I could tell that he really missed it. He mentioned that he wish he had a tank but presently lives off of social security and that it barely pays his bills. He mentioned one day he would get one.

I REALLY only need one of those 55's. I'm also a 20 year'd carpenter. So I decided F it, I'll give the tank to him and I'll whip him up a stand in the driveway. Cost of material was just under $30 and it took just over an hour to build. He dabbles in canvas painting so I figure, I'll let him paint it. I hate painting anyway.

Anyways, I just wanted to share what kind of stand you could build for such little money. I was going to build him a canopy too, but he's old school, during our conversation he mentioned how he disliked them, that they were just in the way. Stubborn ole bastard. :)

Enjoy!

BTW, I have a spare heater and air pump that I'm going to give him as well. If anyone has a CHEAP filter for a 55 please PM me. I'll gladly take it off your hands.

Also the driveway is not level so it appears a little crooked. I can assure you its built square so save the ball bustin :grinno:
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No plywood. The brown stuff is MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). The front panel is 1 solid piece that I cut a rectangular hole through. And the back is a piece of 3/16 MDF that after the box was squared up it is nailed off on the perimeter every 1.5''. It is impossible for the unit to rack. The panels also touch the floor and the tank sits on them as well. The 2 perimeters you see are No. 2 grade Souther Yellow Pine. The lower piece was held flush with the bottom of the cabinet and the upper was held 2'' above the MDF to conceal the plastic trim on the tank. They are merely decorative. The fashion in which it was built is very similar to a kitchen cabinet.
 
That looks great and is very cool of you to take time to make something so nice for your father-in-law.
 
Thats awesome... it's rare that you see someone build one like that as most of us are all the build it to withstand the wrath of god types.... I mean your method is obviously sound as it's the method which is used for the pre-fabs that you buy in the LFS... I just don't like the whole MDF anywhere near water thing since it's one of those things that if you even think of water near it... you end up with a pile of mushy saw dust. Love the simplicity of this though. Will look great with a good coat of paint.
 
thats sweet, and good deed for the day, check.
 
Good on you for help out you in-law, I am sure he will probably teach you a few things as well. The stand looks great, not sure about the MDF, needs to be sealed soon.

Good Job!!
 
Nice stand, looks like a fish store kind stand. You sure you didn't steal it from your LFS, lol.

I also hate canopy's, they get in the way and are rather useless.
 
gomezladdams;3025313; said:
Great looking stand!Nice work.
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Thanks :)

LowCel;3025654; said:
That looks great and is very cool of you to take time to make something so nice for your father-in-law.
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Thanks. Its the least I could do for the knowledge he shares with me.

basslover34;3026270; said:
Thats awesome... it's rare that you see someone build one like that as most of us are all the build it to withstand the wrath of god types.... I mean your method is obviously sound as it's the method which is used for the pre-fabs that you buy in the LFS... I just don't like the whole MDF anywhere near water thing since it's one of those things that if you even think of water near it... you end up with a pile of mushy saw dust. Love the simplicity of this though. Will look great with a good coat of paint.
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LOL I've noticed. Most have (8) 2x4's on each corner.

As long as he lays a nice coupla coats of oil/based sealer the water will never get to the MDF and it will last for many years.

dpsurf;3026277; said:
thats sweet, and good deed for the day, check.
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Thanks. absolutely!

letsgofishn;3026295; said:
Good on you for help out you in-law, I am sure he will probably teach you a few things as well. The stand looks great, not sure about the MDF, needs to be sealed soon.

Good Job!!
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Thanks. Like mentioned above, as long as he lays a nice coupla coats of oil/based sealer the water will never get to the MDF and it will last for many years. Kitchen cabinetry is made from this material every day. Is plywood better? A little bit. Any plywood that gets wet enough will eventually delaminate and lose its strength. For a 55 gallon fish tank and a free one at that, Its good enough :)

packer43064;3026301; said:
Nice stand, looks like a fish store kind stand. You sure you didn't steal it from your LFS, lol.

I also hate canopy's, they get in the way and are rather useless.
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Thanks. I have another 55 that lacks a stand. I'll whip something up similar for myself with an exception of I'll use oak veneered plywood and make the doors a little fancier. Probably build a canopy too.

I'll take pics of the next one I slap together.
 
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