180g Tank Stand Build [photos]

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Hey gang,

This is build log of mine from about 5 years ago and wanted to share the knowledge and repost the links and the process of how I built the stand...

Okay here is the process of the stand build. I used the Pressure Treated wood with wood glue and some gorilla glue for the center posts being that I ran out of Wood Glue. Worked out great!

Tools....






Top and Bottom Rails with 12" Centers. Overkill I know but I figured hey, what's it going to hurt.... I ended up letting the drill chuck countersink the holes enough to lay below the woods surface for when it's skinned and finished.... I used 3" deck screws for the entire build.












This is the assembly of the corner posts. All holes were piloted through both pieces of wood after being held together with clamps. After pilots were drilled, I glue and screwed...

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

More post assembly...











Everything was squared with a 12" roofing Square. Didn't have anything larger at the time. Worked well though.










Four Corner posts piloted, glued and screwed.

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

More...




Top in place and all posts set.




Had to throw a shot of the Spectators....








Finished Frame...





So there she is.


I skinned the stand with 1/2" Birch,as well as made the floor for the filter, sanded it with some 200 grit with a power sander and added some trim and rolled on some flat black paint using a 4" mini roller and paint brush. Oil Based is best.

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

More...

Doors on before painting for final fit before removing the hardware and giving a coating of paint.



Finished Stand...




This stand will last a life time. I probably overbuilt like I said.

So you could easily get away with a single post in the middle and I do recommend this to avoid any twisting of the stand. This thing could be placed on a log in the middle and setup and you wouldn't have to worry about the tank busting!

Probably not, but it's tough!

Hope you enjoyed the process and feel free to share and ask questions!

[...]

Epic build mate. Looks like a totally professional finish too. I like it. Did you build it off a set of plans or did you combine thoughts & ideas of your own? We're the doors pre-fab or did you build them from scratch?
Thx for sharing mate. Awesome!

[prostreet69camaro]

Nice job

[GMtrophs]

Wow really nice good job bro ? Do u have the same set up for the acrylic tanks?

[darkstar144]

Very Nice!!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Thanks everyone!

Yes this would be more suited for an acrylic tank as the bottom of the acrylic would need this type of support.

It's way overdone for a glass tank. Glass tanks can be supported only on their ends... Acrylics need to entire bottom supported.

I saw a video of a guys fish room after he built it and he had 3 6 foot tanks stacked in this closest like area and each tank was held up by a wood support at each end. Look crazy!? But he said that he's done this for a long time with no issues.

[ben]

Great thread Andrew, if I had to build a stand I would copy your design, top job looks shop bought.