DIY Aquarium Stand

[clifton89]

I have a 200 gallon tank with sump etc, looking for inspiration on building a stand. Tank dimensions are 48x36x36, what are the ups and downs that you encountered and how’s your tank now and what would you have done differently? Thank you my fellow reefers

 

[Fish Fan]

Certainly there's lot's of options for a DIY stand, but I'm assuming you're asking for something easy to build, and a very popular option is none other than Rocket Engineer's DIY stand plans originally published to Reef Central found here (this link works *most* of the time):
https://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1169964
With the plans above, you can build the structure of your stand with inexpensive 2x material (2x4's, 2x6's, etc.) and leave it at that, or "skin" the stand with any variety of materials for a more finished look. And, if you need his help, Rocket Engineer is an active member here at R2R, and typically quite willing to help with questions about his design

Here's a post here at R2R about RE's stand for more info. Lot's and lot's of members have used this design, a little searching will give many more examples:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rocket-engineers-tank-stand-plans.677774/
Good luck!

 

[clifton89]

Certainly there's lot's of options for a DIY stand, but I'm assuming you're asking for something easy to build, and a very popular option is none other than Rocket Engineer's DIY stand plans originally published to Reef Central found here (this link works *most* of the time):
https://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1169964
With the plans above, you can build the structure of your stand with inexpensive 2x material (2x4's, 2x6's, etc.) and leave it at that, or "skin" the stand with any variety of materials for a more finished look. And, if you need his help, Rocket Engineer is an active member here at R2R, and typically quite willing to help with questions about his design

Here's a post here at R2R about RE's stand for more info. Lot's and lot's of members have used this design, a little searching will give many more examples:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rocket-engineers-tank-stand-plans.677774/
Good luck!

Unfortunately, the link listed is no longer working

 

[Fish Fan]

Unfortunately, the link listed is no longer working

It seems to work when it wants to

If that link isn't cooperative, just do a search for "rocket engineer's stand plans" and you'll see a lot threads here as well as back on RC. You can always ask here if you have any questions about it.

 

[ElZesto]

I just built this for a 75g display, and had lots of trouble with the link as well. Here's a google sheet I made you can make a copy of, it has screenshots of the information that was pertinent for me. For you on a 200g system I'm pretty sure you'll need 2X6's for the top frame. I believe for the legs 2x6's are unnecessary because the vertical crush strength of a 2x4 is pretty high, and you'll have 8 of them to share the load. Although if I were you I would probably still use 2x6 for the vertical posts to air on the side of caution if you don't mind the lost door space.

 

[areefer01]

Unfortunately, the link listed is no longer working

They also posted a 2nd link here on this forum. Rocket Engineers post is the same on both. RC will just have more activity and history due to how long it has been out there.

 

[Grog]

what are the ups and downs that you encountered and how’s your tank now and what would you have done differently?

I've built several stands over the years in this hobby and RocketEngineer's plans are a great baseline and sturdy.

I recommend making your sump easy to access, as in removable panels instead of hinged doors, so you can get in there and do stuff when you need to. Frame it, skin it, and put panels on the sides and front, etc.

Someday, you will need to get to that spot you don't think matters right now.

Leave some openings in the back so you can run cables, hoses, etc. But also those openings provide gas exchange for the sump. Add openings in the back/bottom so if the sump overflows, or you dump water, it drains and doesn't flood your stand. Basically, I skin the back with a sheet of ply leaving a 6" gap on top and bottom. Top for lines and hoses, bottom gap for water.

I run my sump 'cryptic-ish'. No light down there. So, the sump stand interior I always paint a bright white so I can see stuff.

Also, think about your sump and how you will access it. Think about how much height you want so you can work on stuff. My last two builds, I made the stand way taller than I had in previous builds and I'm much happier as I can work on gear, put things into the dungeon, etc. without being a contortionist.

One last thing. Consider your sump and how it will fit into your stand. Don't build your stand and not ensure you actually fit the sump into it. Sounds silly but...

 

[Grog]

what are the ups and downs that you encountered and how’s your tank now and what would you have done differently?

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