Another DIY Stand Dilemma (75 gallon)

Squar3Lak3 · 2026-10-16T02:45:10-0400

Built this stand for a 75. It seems really solid but I know the wood I used was not perfect. There is a slight gap where the tank meets top. The entire stand with empty tank is not level but it’s also not going to be in this location. I guess I’m just wondering if this is ok and also the best ways to help plum the stand from here?

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UncommonSense · 2026-10-16T02:48:37-0400

This looks close enough that you may even be able to get the stand’s header planed down with some coarse sandpaper, assuming you don’t have any form of planer!

Edit: or… ratchet strap that header down for a day to see if that straightens it out prior to using filled tank weight?

Squar3Lak3 · 2026-10-16T02:51:03-0400

UncommonSense said:
This looks close enough that you may even be able to get the stand’s header planed down with some coarse sandpaper, assuming you don’t have any form of planer!

I don’t have a planer. I do have palm sanders. I failed to mention I plan on capping with 3/4” plywood both top and bottom. Sides and front will get 1/2”

What is the best way to ensure no twisting as the stand ages? Or how to get the stand more level for the aquarium? I am sure in over thinking it but I just don’t want it to fail OR fall on my kids.

UncommonSense · 2026-10-16T02:59:35-0400

Squar3Lak3 said:
I don’t have a planer. I do have palm sanders. I failed to mention I plan on capping with 3/4” plywood both top and bottom. Sides and front will get 1/2”

What is the best way to ensure no twisting as the stand ages? Or how to get the stand more level for the aquarium? I am sure in over thinking it but I just don’t want it to fail OR fall on my kids.

Ah! A plywood top plate, and just empty tank weight should get that bow to the point of being imperceptible, with any luck!

As I understand it, 2x lumber is used instead of 4x lumber not only for price, but because it’s far less susceptible to twisting and splitting as it dries… basically, a stand built out of 4x is more liable to deform after it’s built!

In a typical RocketEngineer-style lumber stand build, the stand is assembled while the 2x lumber is still green (wet), then the filled tank weight keeps the lumber fairly flat as it dries! (That’s my interpretation, at least! I’ve taken apart, and/or examined a fair number of stands with a wide array of build qualities, styles, and materials… typically, all but the most questionable will remain fairly flat once they dry out with all that weight on them!)

Squar3Lak3 · 2026-10-16T03:02:23-0400

UncommonSense said:
Squar3Lak3 said:

I don’t have a planer. I do have palm sanders. I failed to mention I plan on capping with 3/4” plywood both top and bottom. Sides and front will get 1/2”

What is the best way to ensure no twisting as the stand ages? Or how to get the stand more level for the aquarium? I am sure in over thinking it but I just don’t want it to fail OR fall on my kids.

Click to expand...

Ah! A plywood top plate, and just empty tank weight should get that bow to the point of being imperceptible, with any luck!

As I understand it, 2x lumber is used instead of 4x lumber not only for price, but because it’s far less susceptible to twisting and splitting as it dried… basically, a stand built out of 4x is more liable to deform after it’s built!

In a typical RocketEngineer-style lumber stand build, the stand is assembled while the 2x lumber is still green, then the filled tank weight keeps the lumber fairly flat as it dries! (That’s my interpretation, at least! I’ve taken apart, and/or examined a fair number of stands with a wide array of build qualities, styles, and materials… typically, all but the most questionable will remain fairly flat once they dry out with all that weight on them!)

My wood is pretty dry as I’ve had it over a year. The support 2x6’s are fairly green however. There is a slight bow in try bottom long piece which has me concerned but I’m hoping a plywood bottom would cover that up.

UncommonSense · 2026-10-16T03:22:03-0400

Squar3Lak3 said:
My wood is pretty dry as I’ve had it over a year. The support 2x6’s are fairly green however. There is a slight bow in try bottom long piece which has me concerned but I’m hoping a plywood bottom would cover that up.

in this case, see how things look with the plywood on it; plywood can in-itself have some pretty egregious defects (thicker spots where ply seams overlap, for example) unless you get into the really expensive stuff… just take a moment examining a sheet before you buy it!

If there’s still an appreciable bow with everything screwed down tight, and the tank set in place, it might be time to start looking at planing the high spots back, possibly via palm sander or hand planer if they aren’t very substantial! (Or getting some fresh, green lumber to swap your 4ft spans out!)

Edit: it’s worth noting that the (structural) goal is having a flat (plane) surface to set the bottom rim of the tank on, vs. having a perfectly level stand! — you’re just trying to avoid a situation where one corner, or two diagonally opposed corners are appreciably lower than the rest, which would create a twisting force on the tank itself!