Double Tank Stand

[Assaye]

I want to aquire/make a stand for two 3 foot, 23 gallon tanks. I need to be able to mount one on top of the other, not side by side. Does anyone have any good guides for a newbie stand-builder? I have limited tools to work with so nothing that requires a jigsaw or anything fancy.

Does anyone have any good ideas for where I can get a strong pre-made from? I'm not looking for a cabinet or branded stand, just a durable shelf like this:

Linky

I tried looking around but it all seems quite expensive and not the right dimensions.

 

[OldMan47]

Check the link in my signature called My Stand Thread. I filled it with hints about how I designed my own stand. The last picture of a stand that is stained instead of painted is holding 2 of those 3 foot long tanks.

 

[Assaye]

Check the link in my signature called My Stand Thread. I filled it with hints about how I designed my own stand. The last picture of a stand that is stained instead of painted is holding 2 of those 3 foot long tanks.

How much did it cost and what tools did you need?

 

[OldMan47]

The way I work is to take advantage of the tools I have accumulated over the years. If you do not have them, the whole thing could be built using a hand saw and a tape measure. I do use a screwdriver but thought that was obvious. It cost me about what a 10 gallon tank fully equipped would cost. If you are in the US and have similar pricing structures to me, you would expect to build it for about $75 including the stain and the wood that is nice enough to stain. If you build something similar to the painted one, you can use cheaper wood and probably build it for about $60 US. If you are in the UK, all bets are off. The prices do not translate at all. In the UK you will pay much more than me for some things and much lees for others. That makes it impossible to predict what it might cost. I have been appalled when I saw the price people must pay for a tank or a filter in the UK.

 

[Assaye]

The way I work is to take advantage of the tools I have accumulated over the years. If you do not have them, the whole thing could be built using a hand saw and a tape measure. I do use a screwdriver but thought that was obvious. It cost me about what a 10 gallon tank fully equipped would cost. If you are in the US and have similar pricing structures to me, you would expect to build it for about $75 including the stain and the wood that is nice enough to stain. If you build something similar to the painted one, you can use cheaper wood and probably build it for about $60 US. If you are in the UK, all bets are off. The prices do not translate at all. In the UK you will pay much more than me for some things and much lees for others. That makes it impossible to predict what it might cost. I have been appalled when I saw the price people must pay for a tank or a filter in the UK.

Ah, didn't realise you were in the US.

Guess I just need to get myself to the DIY store and see what I can find. Do you think fiber board or MDF would be strong enough?

 

[OldMan47]

I use plywood for the shelves in mine because I am afraid of what happens when MDF or fiber board meets water. Please don't try to tell me the shelves will never get wet, I could never believe such a fairy tale. I have also used solid wood in preference to plywood when the dimensions will work out. Even plywood can be ruined if exposed to water too often.

 

[Assaye]

I use plywood for the shelves in mine because I am afraid of what happens when MDF or fiber board meets water. Please don't try to tell me the shelves will never get wet, I could never believe such a fairy tale. I have also used solid wood in preference to plywood when the dimensions will work out. Even plywood can be ruined if exposed to water too often.

This is true. I used some kind of composite board for my vivarium and I freak out every time I drip water on it.

Maybe if varnished it would be OK . . .

 

[Ste_1]

One thing to remember, unlike a friend, leave enough room to put fish/ornaments/filters in. He built a triple tank stand and left what looked like an acceptable gap above each one and then realised when it came to put his bogwood in..........

The strongest/cost effective wood would be plywood, 12mm thick is very very strong. Put a 3mm cover of MDF on the shelves and wax it, if your worried about water, as the shiny side will take wax nicely and repel water all day long.