Let's talk about aquarium cabinet/stand manufacturers... Who are they? Who do you recommend?

[Daniel@R2R]

So we've got a great thread on custom tank manufacturers, but what about tank stand/cabinet manufacturers? Who do you recommend? Why?

Please share your experiences with any manufacturers. Maybe include details like quality, cost, customer service, time it took to complete, things you really liked, warranty info, and any photos of the finished product.

 

[mdb_talon]

I dont have any answers to your questions lol but would say if i were going to buy a stand it would definetely be finding a local woodworker(or maybe metalshop). Just seems stands in general(even the "cheap" ones) are ridiculously priced and bet i could get a better stand for a cheaper price vs other options especially if factoring in shipping.

 

[KrisReef]

@mdb_talon is correct, ime. I had the guy who makes custom cabinets for the lfs make my kitchen cabinets when we remodeled. He is bugging me to upgrade my tank so he can build a matching fish tank stand.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I dont have any answers to your questions lol but would say if i were going to buy a stand it would definetely be finding a local woodworker(or maybe metalshop). Just seems stands in general(even the "cheap" ones) are ridiculously priced and bet i could get a better stand for a cheaper price vs other options especially if factoring in shipping.

@mdb_talon is correct, ime. I had the guy who makes custom cabinets for the lfs make my kitchen cabinets when we remodeled. He is bugging me to upgrade my tank so he can build a matching fish tank stand.

See... I've been thinking about this option, but I think I'm a bit afraid of going with a local cabinet maker who may not have experience with building aquarium stands. I'd feel better knowing whoever builds the stand has experience with this.

 

[rtparty]

Chris Benner. Either wood or aluminum but I prefer aluminum.

 

[polyppal]

T-Slot is surprisingly easy to work with, using Zyltech.com and getting custom cut pieces, its like playing with k'nex! WAY less expensive than T-Slot custom builders websites too...

Im gonna have to do a tutorial thread on my next stand build.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I went with the “furniture grade” stands from Glass Cages; very solid for my 150-gallon. I had it made a little taller than standard for ease-of-viewing and also to get extra clearance inside to get the skimmer cup lifted off.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

T-Slot is surprisingly easy to work with, using Zyltech.com and getting custom cut pieces, its like playing with k'nex! WAY less expensive than T-Slot custom builders websites too...

Im gonna have to do a tutorial thread on my next stand build.

A tutorial thread on this would be awesome!!

 

[polyppal]

A tutorial thread on this would be awesome!!

PM me if you decide to go that route, ill help you on the cuts/what all is needed from zyltech and you could post pics of the assembly!

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Chris Benner. Either wood or aluminum but I prefer aluminum.

This looks like great work too.

 

[WVNed]

My Custom Aquariums tank came with a lifetime warranty ( I have to pay shipping but that is way cheaper than a new tank) If I put it on their stand so I did. It is kind of strange though if you wanted to use the stand to hold a sump. It has a solid top, bottom and a back with 3 smallish oval holes in it. Perfect for what I wanted to do though because all the plumbing goes through the wall behind the tank. Mine is all wood but they have metal and metal/wood options. They have fancier ones but that isn't us.
Back to the beginning.

 

[rtparty]

This looks like great work too.

It is unbelievably built. Took me a couple hours to put together with my 4 year old helping.

It's heavy duty extrusion with custom brackets. Much higher quality than Framing Tech/8020/etc...

Chris Benner is a big time hobbyist and so is the company he uses for the aluminum. I spoke with them on the phone for 2 hours the other day designing my floating canopy. They understand what we deal with and what we need as a hobby.

It's more expensive than the other options but after seeing both in person, it's not even comparable. When it comes to holding over 3500 pounds, $200 in savings isn't worth it for me. I will always take quality and customer service over lower prices.

 

[afrokobe]

I built my last stand, but I would probably go with t slot in the next build.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

By the way, if we get a list of stand/cabinetry builders going, I'll add it to the first post.

 

[vpierce3]

I’m getting ready to start a build thread in a month or so. I ordered a new 150 gallon tank from SCA this week. I will be building my own stand. I’m fortunate enough to have a shop full of wood and metal working tools. The stand will be metal framed with wood panels. Haven’t decided on alum or steel yet. Materials are very expensive right now.

 

[Babyback]

We're super happy with our stand from Crystal Dynamic.

It's for a 240 gallon aquarium and we wanted wood over a steel frame.

They have so many more options than we opted for.

They were easy to work with and would happily recommend them to anyone.

 

[MBinNY]

I went aluminum on the new build. I had 2” Steele on the 500 gallon build and even powder coated I’m getting rust so aluminum or wood was the only way and with 400 gallons on this one I went aluminum. When wrapped it in poplar.

 

[csund]

It is unbelievably built. Took me a couple hours to put together with my 4 year old helping.

It's heavy duty extrusion with custom brackets. Much higher quality than Framing Tech/8020/etc...

Chris Benner is a big time hobbyist and so is the company he uses for the aluminum. I spoke with them on the phone for 2 hours the other day designing my floating canopy. They understand what we deal with and what we need as a hobby.

It's more expensive than the other options but after seeing both in person, it's not even comparable. When it comes to holding over 3500 pounds, $200 in savings isn't worth it for me. I will always take quality and customer service over lower prices.

Who was the manufacturer for the extrusions?

 

[rtparty]

Who was the manufacturer for the extrusions?

Controlled Dynamics I believe. I go through Chris to get everything but it was easier to call direct for my floating canopy design then play messenger back and forth.

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

T-Slot is surprisingly easy to work with, using Zyltech.com and getting custom cut pieces, its like playing with k'nex! WAY less expensive than T-Slot custom builders websites too...

Im gonna have to do a tutorial thread on my next stand build.

Beautiful! The clear one with the cat. OmG! But my wife says no! Lol