Diy stand pics

[sergifed91]

Looking for ideas for diy stands for anything larger then 90 gallon tank

 

[Fish Fan]

Do a search for Rocket Engineer's stand design. You'll find his original post, and then countless people who have made their stand from his plans. This design will support tanks of all sizes, well over 90 gallons, and Rocket Engineer is an active member here at R2R and may be able to help you.

 

[RocketEngineer]

 

[sergifed91]

Since I don't have a table saw. What is recommended for a table saw?

 

[Fish Fan]

That's a tough question to answer as table saws range from a couple hundred dollars to many thousands, depending on quality, size and features.

To build RE's stand posted above you really don't need a table saw, a miter saw would be more useful to cut the 2x4 material. You can also use a circular saw or even a jig saw in combination with a square to get surprisingly straight cuts with these saws. Here's a quick video:


To "skin" the 2x4 stand a table saw would be helpful, but again a circular saw or jig saw will do just fine. Any wonky edges can be covered with trim pieces.

There is a wide variety of shop made and store bought jigs, sleds and gadgets to make cutting straight lines with a circular saw easier. Here is just one example, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than a decent table saw (even if you have to buy the circular saw too!):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kreg-Rip-Cut-Cutting-Jig-Make-Precise-Rip-Cuts-and-Crosscuts-up-to-24-Inches-Wide/1000281745?store=2668&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_TOL_Online_High_Priority(A-D+Priority%20Items%20CL3)-_-1000281745-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21220175503&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W_SgGm1s10KJ4M-HCQ1tJqHk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdXBBhDEARIsAAUkP6hFPyPG2eMbPLpHtKkz27EYyplU6HhsZTVzhQUwhD0BqaSQHUD-OhEaAkOkEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Consider that a lot of big-box hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot will cut material to size for you, just make sure you get someone that knows what they're doing. You may also have a relative, friend or neighbor that has some basic woodworking tools and skills and may be able to help you.

I hope that helps, please post again if you have more questions, or still want a recommendation for a table saw :)

 

[RocketEngineer]

Here are the doors and one end panel I made for a 40b tank. No table saw involved. The doors are made using “shelf” width lumber and 1X4s, all cut to length with a circular saw and miter saw. The grooves were cut using a hand held router with following chamfer bit. The pieces were screwed together with Kreg pocket holes and a cordless drill. It took some fiddling to figure out the right sizings but the result was really good for only a couple weekends of work.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@Troylee didn't you build your stand?

 

[JayM]

Since I don't have a table saw. What is recommended for a table saw?

I used one of these because it's a pain to break down full sheets of plywood by yourself with a table saw unless you have a professional setup. My tank thread has a few pics of the stand I built for an IM 100EXT.

 

[Troylee]

@Troylee didn't you build your stand?

I’ve built hundreds of them lol.

 

[TX_REEF]

as far as framing goes, feel free to check out my tank thread. This framing style will support 90+ gallons easily, then it's just a matter of skinning, doors and painting if you wish.

 

[PPBlimpy]

Haven't skinned it yet. Looking for ideas on how to finish it.

 

[sergifed91]

I'm going to use a mix of 2x4 and 2x6 wood.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I don't have a table saw either. the two sheets of 3/4 ply I had cut at my local homedepot on their big panel saw.

mine above is also 2x4 and 2x6. dimesnions are 96x30 and 40" tall. built for my 300g DT / 125g sump.
bottom has been water proofed and sealed and can hold approx 60G if the tank leaks. sump is also lifted so if there is a leak i can vacuum the water out and run fans to dry everything.

When I make the doors or lift off panels I may just have them cut it also. just make sure to have a solid cut list of sizes you want and pay attention to the guy operating it. some take their time and make sure they are accurate, others not so much

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Haven't skinned it yet. Looking for ideas on how to finish it.

What is the furniture color in your house? That will help you determine how to finish it!

 

[PPBlimpy]

What is the furniture color in your house? That will help you determine how to finish it!

This is a good thought. It is in our parlor. Dark hardwood floors, grey loveseat sofa facing the tank. Room doubles as my wifes office and the parents hang out room while kids are playing video games in the family room. I originally wanted to make it look like a built in with floor to ceiling cabinets top and bottom and extend to the wall left of my tank for more storage. unsure if that is what we are still going to do. we have 10ft ceilings so thats a lot of cabinets. lol

 

[FUNGI]

Heres my 120G

 

[Troylee]

I'm going to use a mix of 2x4 and 2x6 wood.

That’s plenty strong.. to be honest my 300 gallon tank sits on a 3/4” plywood stand.. it only has a 2x4 brace in the center.

 

[sergifed91]

Haven't skinned it yet. Looking for ideas on how to finish it.

How many 2x4s and 2x6 did you use. I'm looking at 8 ft long. Anything longer won't fit in my car.

 

[PPBlimpy]

How many 2x4s and 2x6 did you use. I'm looking at 8 ft long. Anything longer won't fit in my car.

I think I bought 10 lengths of 2x6x8’
And 6 lengths 2x4x8’
Then had homedepot cut down 2 pieces of 4x8x 3/4 thick plywood to 30”x8’

It’s pretty heavy.

 

[sergifed91]

I think I bought 10 lengths of 2x6x8’
And 6 lengths 2x4x8’
Then had homedepot cut down 2 pieces of 4x8x 3/4 thick plywood to 30”x8’

It’s pretty heavy.

Lookis like you put plywood at the bottom of the stand then the 2x4s over it.