Read About Building Fish Tank Stands

Building Fish Tank Stands requires no expertise in carpentry; all you need are a few planks of oak and the will to build. Here's everything you need to know about it.

How to Building Fish Tank Stands

  1. The Facts:

    When you decide to build your own fish tank stand, you must have some idea about how much weight it would bear. Holding the weight of an aquarium is no easy task. One gallon of water would weigh approximately 8.5 pounds. Therefore, a 55 gallon tank would be carrying nothing less than 460 gallons of water alone! Assume how much a fully equipped tank would weigh with gravel, fittings, weight of the tank and canopy. The following construction method supports up to 135 gallons of aquarium. The lengths and measurements must be calculated based on your tank.
  2. Supplies:

    1. 2x4 -- required length (measure your aquarium and calculate depending on the instructions in 'What to do')
    2. 1/2" Plywood -- required size
    3. 10' 4x4 -- one length
    4. Screws, hinges and doorknobs.
    5. Wood Glue
    6. Sand/Emery paper
    7. Paint and putty.
    8. Tools for carpentry.
  3. What to Do:

    1. Cut 2x4 into four lengths measuring 1 inch more than the length of the aquarium base and four 2x4 lengths measuring 1 inch more than the width of the aquarium base. The height of the stand is assumed to be 30", which is standard.
    2. Now screw the 2x4 pieces together to make two rectangular frames for the top and the base using 3" screws. Remember to pre-drill the holes on the planks.
    3. Cut the 4x4 into four lengths of 30" each.
    4. Notch four 4x4s along two sides for each end. Remember the notches should be adjacent to each other, not the opposite sides.
    5. Now fix the 4x4s to the corners of the top frame and the bottom frame. You should get a rectangular box frame without the 'walls'. Use screws and wood glue for added strength. Always apply the glue before you fit and screw the planks.
    6. If your length of the tank is more, use extra 2x4 lengths to fix two more legs halfway through the length. These will provide added support.
    7. Cut the plywood to fit on the bottom frame inside. You should cut it such that it accommodates all the legs.
    8. Now cut another plywood sheet to the measure of the top frame and screw it on the top frame. The strong top frame would provide more support to the plywood.
    9. Fix plywood sheets for the back and the sides of the rectangular frame.
    10. For the front you could use two plywood sheets to form the doors.
    11. Use hinges to attach the doors.
    12. Your fish tank stand is done. All it needs is some paint and a couple of door knobs.
  4. Special Considerations:

    If you do not know carpentry basics, you could alternatively screw the whole structure without cutting any notches but never forget wood glue.
  5. Other Tips:

    You could Styrofoam below the fish tank for even standing. Moldings and other decorative fittings can be also be used.
  6. Expense:

    A stand for a 75 gallon tank would cost anywhere around $400-500. But you could make it much for less. In fact, the price could be cut in half.