My DIY Tank Stand

[BIG L A]

Im building a new tnak stand for my 120G... Im doing it this after work so it might take a lil while... Here is a couple of pics so far...

 

[BIG L A]

Still havent cut out the opening for the doors... But I wanted to do a step by step thread... I would like a lil advice on what to use on the inside for the moisture...

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Hey man lookin good. Lookin forward to see how it turns out. I see the top piece is wood, is the rest MDF? Cant really tell by the pics on this screen. If wood how bout a nice shade of stain to accent the wood grain with a polyurethane? Am sure there is a better way but always liked the look of a nice shade of stain and the wood grain with the poly sheen on it.

 

[juiceguy]

I used 2 coats of Kilz as a primer and 1 coat of a enamel based paint on my stand

 

[BIG L A]

Thanx Jim... I went with birch wood and I think the stain is going to really make it look nice... Im going to stain it when Im done, but I still have so much to do...

 

[BIG L A]

Juice is this for the inside of the stand???

 

[juiceguy]

pics of when it was built:

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/gallery/browseimages.php?do=member&catid=member&imageuser=3030&page=11

 

[BIG L A]

The stain and the trim really made it look real nice... nice build Juice...

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Yo Juice awesome job man and BIG am sure yours is gonna look great as well. Lookin forward to updates. Nothin but time brother nothing but time to make that thing exactly how you want it. Also great choice on the birch- such a fine grained wood will be smokin when finished

 

[E.intheC]

looks like you have a good stand starting up here. You're brave doing this on a 120. That's a lotta weight! I'm sure it will be fine though.

As for your paint question, I used a high quality primer and a good coat of black enamel based paint. Should be fine if you're planning to paint it.

 

[tosiek]

Don't want to scare you or anything but the tank is going to weight anywhere from 1100-1300lbs. Thats alot of weight and should be supported accordingly. Whats the support skeleton made out of that you screwed the ply to? And how are you planning on cutting out the doors? And are you planning on covering the plywood edge on the sides of the cabinet?

Any urethane sealer would work for the inside. Same stuff you laquer cabinets and floors with. There is also a primer that has a nice finish sheen from bullseye or the company that starts with a Z, forgot the name but its durable and acts like a 1 step primer/sealer.

 

[KathyC]

Don't want to scare you or anything but the tank is going to weight anywhere from 1100-1300lbs. Thats alot of weight and should be supported accordingly. Whats the support skeleton made out of that you screwed the ply to? And how are you planning on cutting out the doors? And are you planning on covering the plywood edge on the sides of the cabinet?

Any urethane sealer would work for the inside. Same stuff you laquer cabinets and floors with. There is also a primer that has a nice finish sheen from bullseye or the company that starts with a Z, forgot the name but its durable and acts like a 1 step primer/sealer.

Zinsser

 

[BIG L A]

The skeleton is 4x4 post with 2x6 also going to go across from front to back for added support... It looks way stronger thatn the thing it's on now... But it's something that my capenter has told me I worry to much about... But I still think about it alot that's why I went with the 4x4's... I believe that should be okay???

 

[bueller]

the stand looks awesome! great job. you will have no problem the the weight from the pictures in the thread...way over kill with the skeleton but like I always tell people...if it makes you sleep better at night...lol go for it. You can sit an elephant on that thing and if i was a betting man it would hold

Great job

 

[BIG L A]

Thanks Bueller, coming from you its real good to hear... My partner on the build or I should really say Im his helper being that Im an electrician and hes a carpenter by trade, told me it was overkill But it sure will help me sleep better...
N Ive seen your work and it looks great... Ill try to put more pics but Im doin this after work...

 

[BIG L A]

Finally had some time to put into the build... cant wait tilll its all done...

 

[BIG L A]

Had a little bit of time and I decided to make the canopy... Wow I didnt think it would be that tricky, or it just might be that we arent really pro's at this... But over all I think its coming out pretty good...
A few doors, some molding, then some staining and I should be done... Just need to get the time... LoL

 

[motortrendz]

i built a stank for my 120, i have 2 side cabinets and centerd is a 40 gal breeder display. stand is strong enough to build a house on but i ised 1/4 in plywood sanded and stained it a dark golden oak.. to match my other tank stand. but i used polyurathane on outside for a nice simple sheen and ease of cleaning, but put a few coats inside for any evap. to protect it.. came out good no problems...yet
good luck! keep us posted

 

[duke62]

just make sure you seal the edges on that plywood very well.salt water gets in those seams and watch the wood separate.