DIY : Free Standing Stand for large aquariums
The following documents the construction of a basic aquarium stand using 4x4 lumber. All measurement are in inches. Aquarium used had a 60x18 base. Lumber used is not critical. This one, I think was teak stained spruce. Previous design used shellacked 4x4 cedar. The actual cross-sectional measurement of a 4x4 is 3.5 x 3.5, or dimensions may need be modified. The design shown has a center cabinet suitable for misc. storage, and on either side (inside the framing) it's hollow. It would be possible to use these empty areas for additional storage (wiring, CO2, filters, pumps etc) with some modifications to the design (rear access through some cut sections). In my case I had no rear access but enough space behind the stand to the wall to place pumps and wiring harness.
This design stacks 4x4s to 5 levels, placing the aquarium at approx 19" high. The next size would be to go to 7 levels (odd numbers keeps a long piece as first & last) which would have the aquarium lifted to approx. 26".
To the best or my recollection, the bill of material for unit shown is:
1x 65" 4x4
1x 63"
2x 61"
6x 22"
2x 21"
4x 20"
4x 16"
4x 14"
4x 12"
1x 60-1/2x18-3/4" x 3/4" thick plywood (tank base)
34x approx, flathead screws #8 x1-1/2" approx for tank base
1x 60-1/2x18-3/4" x 1/2" thick styrofoam
1x approx 100" baseboard (adjust height to cover plastic on tank)
17x decorative baseboard fasteners (optional)
1x 20-1/2x13-1/2 x 1/2" thick pine (or other) for door
2x small door hinges + fasteners
1x 2x1x14" long (to secure door hinges)
1x push-door catch + fasteners
1x 14x21" x1/4" floating plywood base for storage cabinet
16x corner brackets + fasteners (or 24 if bracketing L-5, optional) These brackets are typically thin metal corner plates with 4 screw holes, commonly used in furniture assembly.
Assembly Procedure
Cut & stain 4x4s. Assemble level L-1 with brackets. Assemble level L-3 with brackets. Fasten tank base to level L-5. Stack as shown, add cabinet door. Add styrofoam and moulding. See Figures 4 & 5 for other views.
An earlier variation (also 4x4s), held two 32g tanks side by side at floor level and the 100g tank on top. The two 32g were made to look like one long 6 foot tank under the 5 foot tank. This 'wall' of water weighed about 1 ton, so a steel post was added under the floor.
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