Custom stands

[mikej]

I'm starting out setting up a 29G system in my office, and I'm looking for info on custom stands. I've got detailed measurements, but I'm not sure what would be cheapest and most practical:

All-wood: This is obviously the most common choice, but that's because people can work with wood on their own. I don't have a workspace or tools, living as I do in the city, so I'm not married to this idea at all.

Rolled steel frame: This is definitely the simplest to design (and probably the cheapest to have built), but I worry about corrosion. Would a thorough painting be enough to protect it from humidity inside a relatively thin wooden paneling job?

Tubular aluminum frame: As far as I understand, this wouldn't have problems with corrosion. That's obviously a plus (along with it's low weight), but I don't know how much shops charge to custom weld aluminum.

Does anyone have any thoughts? More importantly, can anyone recommend a shop which will be willing to work with me a bit on design and then build to spec for something less than a small fortune?

 

[Bob 1000]

Wood work can be a little pricey but for a 29g I think the range of $100 to $200 for labor should be about right... You pay for materials and that should run you about $80 depending on the molding you like... If I wasn't so overbooked I could work with you... But there are other woodworkers/builders here... Do a search on the search button at the top of the screen...
Good Luck...

 

[bigbris1]

All-wood: This is obviously the most common choice, but that's because people can work with wood on their own. I don't have a workspace or tools, living as I do in the city, so I'm not married to this idea at all?

You don't have to marry it, just date it for a while

You can rent the needed tools, & with 3 Home Depots here in the city I would go for the satisfaction & accolades that come with doing it yourself.

Just sketch out some ideas & look here. Figure what you will need & have at it!

 

[latino277]

if you deside to go wood... here is a good write up... I have a link in my sig for the one that i built with these directions.

http://www.reefsmagazine.com/DIY_stand.html

 

[bigbris1]

Excellent write-up & work by Jon

 

[Bob 1000]

Send Jhale a pm maybe he can build something for you... And ask him if he can take some pics of my tank lol.. If your not willing to diy...

 

[mikej]

if you deside to go wood... here is a good write up... I have a link in my sig for the one that i built with these directions.

http://www.reefsmagazine.com/DIY_stand.html

This is very much the style I'm looking for, but I'm constrained by having absolutely zero workspace - I could possibly do the joining, but there's no way I'm going to run a circular saw in my bedroom. I'm still interested to know if anyone has heard of people using tubular aluminum frames.

 

[bigbris1]

C'mon, you can do it! I built a canopy in my livingroom last night at midnight armed only with a drill & a jigsaw

 

[latino277]

I created my stand in my living room becuase it didn't fit in the door... "YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!"

 

[wayne]

hey i have table saw,circular saw & chop saw plus a sizeable workshop if you decide that you'd like to try a diy just let me know walk with your dimensions,material's & a six pack :smile:.

 

[tosiek]

for a small 29g, its gonna run u roughly the same if you make it out of wood or rolled steel angles + wood covers. Also unless the steel stand is submerged the stand won't rust through anytime soon for it to be a problem. Basic metal black primer works.

Why not get one of those stands online for the 29g? plenty of places sell aquarium stands for that size. Run you cheaper than getting anything made.