DIY Tank Stand

[dling]

I'm currently building a new tank stank . It will be for a new 50g aquarium that I plan on ordering from glass cages once the stand is done.

While looking at some diy vids I saw a stand that had a marble or granite top that looked really nice.

So. My question is ,is that a good idea to use such a hard material for the top ? The great thing about wood is that it's soft.

What do you guys think ?

[cassianoyoung]

I had a marble stand without any issues. Just keep in mind that you should have a padded surface in between the tank and the stone. Especially if your tank will be a rimless one. For those, due to the lack of the additional support of the rim it needs the padding so that any imperfections on the surface OR the tank build itself gets to settle in. Most off the shelf rimless tanks come with some sort of soft mat. Since it looks like you are getting something custom, I would recommend a yoga mat. Hope this helps. 

Cheers,

[dling]

Thanks . I was thinking that I would need to put something between the tank and the stone.

I would like the pad not to be seen  to avoid it looking like crap. The yoga mat is a good suggestion.

As I read other forums quartz also was mentioned because of it being less expensive.

[dling]

I'm thinking about adding wheels to the stand also. Not sure if it a good or bad idea.

Seems like sometimes I need to get behind the tank and It's not so easy.

[Fantasynut]

I'm not sure about the wheels idea.. liked the marble top idea. Just built mine. Steampunk look.

[dling]

Nice set up. I had to rethink the wheels. Water and movement don't play well together. Ain't  inertia a bitch.

[Fantasynut]

Thanks...ya the wheels would of been scary. 

[dling]

So. I've been doing some research on what to paint the inside floor of the stand with.

It looks like polyurethane my be the best choice for waterproofing.

I will caulk the whole area in 100% silicone.

Have any of you used  polyurethane ? if yes, what's the name and where did you get it ?

I plan on using a brush to apply it. Thanks.

 

[Clown79]

Most companies sell polyurethane paint. It's just a durable paint. You wouldn't want to use a flat water base paint because it can't handle the water exposure/salt creep etc.

 

Minwax, dulux etc. Are brands to look for.

 

I used water resistant exterior paint. 

[dling]

Thanks for the reply and help .

[Jsheffield85]

Just set this up.

metal frame painted with rustoleum ext paint. 1/4" plywood between frame and 1.5" granite. No buffer between tank and granite.

 

[dling]

What was the cost of the granite ?

[dling]

This is my current setup. The tank and stand are being replaced.

[Tamberav]

No personal experience with glass cages but do some research on them before purchase...I saw a fair amount of complaints on their aquariums when used for fish and not herps. Perhaps the smaller tanks are better though. Good luck with your build.

[dling]

Thanks for the heads up. I will look into them.

[dling]

Here's how it started and where I'm at now. I kinda wish I had used a bit lighter color of stain. Plan on doing the doors today and maybe finishing.

 

 

 

 

[dling]

I think that I may get pre made doors. I really hate that I'm just not good enough at the wood working to do what I want and make it look good.

[GunslingerGirl]

16 minutes ago, dling said:

I think that I may get pre made doors. I really hate that I'm just not good enough at the wood working to do what I want and make it look good.

Have you considered just making the door rectangles and attaching picture frames? Looks killer still, and its cheap.

 

In high school theatre we would take thin birch and add the frames for stage sets. Some of them went missing after the shows because our director used them for their stand lol So I know it can look good.

[dling]

28 minutes ago, GunslingerGirl said:

Have you considered just making the door rectangles and attaching picture frames? Looks killer still, and its cheap.

 

In high school theatre we would take thin birch and add the frames for stage sets. Some of them went missing after the shows because our director used them for their stand lol So I know it can look good.

That's a good idea. I would need frames too meet the size of the doors. Thanks for the suggestion. 

[dling]

This stand is way over built. It weights a ton. 3/4 in wood for top ,face and sides. Then paneling at 1/4 in face and sides. If I had it to do over I would only put 3/4in on top and just the paneling on the face and sides. 

[dling]

I put in the order for the granite top and the glasscages tank. I'm  really nervous about about the tank swap. It's going to take some time

to get the new tank set up after tearing down the old one. I will be glad when it's over and  all is well.

 

[dling]

Heres the new granite top. Im not sure what I can do about the gap and make it look good.

[dling]

The stand is obviously not square/straight. very disappointed.

 

 

[dling]

Well the door are on. Built them using shelving boards. I used the counseled hinges.  Drilled the holes

using a drill  bit I got from home depot. Next is the paneling then some kind of border.

I will darken the doors a bit more also.

[dling]

YEA!!!!!! Looks like I'm finished. I'm happy with the over all look of the stand. I tank is coming soon. I'll be glad when it's all over.