Build Your Own Tank Stand

[Rob Allen]

This particular design is for a 180-gallon tank from glasscages.com (dimensions 72"x24"x25") this design can be modified for any size tank.

I wanted to build a tank stand that I would never question its integrity. Between the stand, the tank, the water and the substrate the estimated weight will be around 2,300lbs. so another item to look in to is floor support. Make sure your floor can handle this kind of weight. Fortunately my tank straddles an I-beam.

Here is a link to a PDF file that shows the design, finished look and the templates for cutting the pieces from the MDF. You will need Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) to view this file.
180 Gallon Tank Design Link (http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/180TankStandDesign.pdf)

Building the stand:

Step 1: Cut the Base and Top platforms from the 4'x8' sheet of MDF
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step1.JPG

Step 2: Route the front and side edges of the Top and Base
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step2.JPG

Step 3: Pre-cut the 2x4s and 2x6s
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step3.JPG

Step 4: Build the Base platform w/ 2x4s and a plywood top
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step4.JPG

Step 5: Build the Top platform w/ 2x4s and using Lag Bolts for the cross supports
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step5.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step5a.JPG

Step 6: Prime the Top and Base (thanks to wife for the painting help)
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step6.JPG

Step 7: Paint the Top and Base
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step7.JPG

Step 8: Attach legs to Base platform
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step8.JPG

Step 9: Attach the middle supports which also act as door stops
NOTE: Offset the middle supports and the right leg so that they will act as a door stop
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step9.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step9a.JPG

Step 10: Attach Top platform to legs and middle supports
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step10.JPG

Step 11: Paint exposed areas
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step11.JPG

Step 12: Prime shell (sides and front pieces)
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step12.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step12a.JPG

Step 13: Attach Top and Base platform to the frame
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step13.JPG

Step 14: Paint shell (sides and front pieces) with a Silver Metallic Glaze (the wife found a cool method to make this design)
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step14.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step14a.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step14b.JPG

Step 15: Attach shell pieces to the frame
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step15.JPG

Step 16: Measure door opening, cut doors, attach knob and hang door using hidden hinges
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step16.JPG
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step16a.JPG

Step 17: Remove doors, Paint, added molding and reattach doors - Wooohoooo! Finished with the Stand
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step16b.JPG

Step 18: Placed tank on stand, cleaned and setup.
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step17.JPG

Step 19 (optional): I always complain that I can never see in the stand, soooo I put two cheapo flourescent lights under in the stand and used a 110v switch to connect them
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step19.JPG

Here is a pic of the tank after we cycled and moved our fish over.
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Step18.JPG

** this tank has since been converted to salt water and houses a Porc Puffer, Green Spotted Puffer and Desjardini Tang. Here are some pics of the new setup:

Tank before edging got placed back on it (I will post a new pic of the entire tank soon):
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/PufferTank.jpg

Sump Design:
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/Sump.jpg

Sump (left side - Skimmer output / refugium feed):
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/SumpLeft.jpg

Sump (right side - Overflows, skimmer feed & refugium):
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/SumpRight.jpg

Skimmer / Return Pump:
http://www.allendavidson.com/images/ospot/180Tank/SkimmerReturn.jpg

The canopy is done as you can see above and I will post those instructions as soon as I can find them.

[CCR]

OK... Where did you have access for the sump? To Install. Did you leaventhe back open? What size tank did you use for the sump? VERY COOL PAINT JOB :)

[Rob Allen]

OK... Where did you have access for the sump? To Install. Did you leaventhe back open? What size tank did you use for the sump? VERY COOL PAINT JOB :)

Access to install the sump is in the back. A 2x6 support in the middle is able to be removed to slide the sump into place. The sump size on this tank is a 75-gallon.

[Barelycuda]

Very impressive. I like all the baffling in the sump. Now I just have to stare at it a while to figure out where all the water is going :). Welcome to the club and can't wait to meet you.

Dave

[Michael7979]

Very nice and a great pictorial to show the steps!!

When will you be in Portland?

And "nice to have ya"

[Rob Allen]

Very impressive. I like all the baffling in the sump. Now I just have to stare at it a while to figure out where all the water is going :). Welcome to the club and can't wait to meet you.

Dave

Maybe this pic can help you. Compare it to the picture and you will see some of the confusing points.

[vanz]

Your tank is sweet! Very cool design with the faux metal look.

If you don't mind me asking...what was the total $ for the just the stand and canopy build?

[Rob Allen]

Total cost of the cabinet was around $250 and the canopy was $150. $50 of that was the gas assisted shocks. I wanted the canopy to open easily to gain access to the tank, so I built it to use gas assisted shocks like most trunks use on a car. Here is a You Tube video of the canopy to show how easy it was to open. Without the gas assist it was about 35lbs. of weight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuraonZdq78

[Hog Head]

I have been trying to figure out what to do for a stand for my 72x18x18 AGA tank. This just might be the way to go because of the short height of my tank. I could adjust the height of the stand to make it more comfortable to view the tank. The 28-30" high AGA stand just seems too short for a 18" high tank.