Countertop material for in wall stand

[Daddio]

Okay... I have spent way too much money on new equipment for my75 to 150 upgrade already. I am trying to figure out a material to use for the top of my stand. I would love to use a prefab kitchen countertop but they all have a backsplash, and if I cut off the backsplash, the dimensions are too narrow. Seems like a lot of free standing stands can get away with plywood, but I will be extending the surface to 76 inches to give myself a work area.

I could just laminate some plywood with Formica but I have so much to do, it would be nice to have one less project

IKEA has plain countertops for around $60 but they are 4 hours away. Anyone gave any creative ideas of some other materials to use.

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[rhino56]

since it will be a work area and you have the ability to laminate and cut laminate, cut a 1/2" x 1/2" deep edge along the area on the inside and remove the section like you would a sink.
If you have a need for a small sink there it might be nice or just a frosted acrylic panel with lights underneath like an xray table for viewing things? or how about a stealth laptop area for running a controller and logging data, or a popup area that contains frozen foods or maybe just paint it.

 

[Daddio]

That is a cool idea. Another project...

 

[rhino56]

That is a cool idea. Another project...

got a pic of what you're talking about?

 

[Daddio]

I have sketches... Will get them and a couple of pics together and post them.

 

[Daddio]

Here are a few shots of the existing setup (it's a mess) - just from my phone, pardon the quilting

Threw this one in for fun

 

[Daddio]

Here's the new tank in waiting

 

[ReeferBob]

Check a countertop place for remnants.

 

[Daddio]

They all want to sell me granite... Which while a great deal for a kitchen, is a little pricey for my fish room. It would be pretty cool though. I haven't been lucky enough to find a piece of remnant laminate top that doesn't have the built in backsplash...

 

[Daddio]

I found a piece of countertop, but just an FYI - if you have Hoods nearby, they sell granite slabs for $10 a sq/ft. Basic stuff but it is still granite.