29 gallon DIY stand build

[Fresh2o]

29" tall...unless my cuts are off in that case I will make it 28"

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The stand I want to replace is 30" tall which is too short IMO. I want to make the new one it 34-36" or higher. Mostly for more space in the cabinet but also for easier viewing.
The 30" tall one will move into a bedroom and replace a stand that is only 26" tall. Height is not so much of an issue in there. The shame is that the 26" stand was bought on a whim a few years ago because I was impatient and the fact I paid over $100 for a open front, particle board laden stand infuriates me. The only nice thing about it was that I was able to slap on a pair of decent looking maple cabinet doors (which will go on the new stand).


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[fish wrangler]

For a 20L like yours a taller stand wouldn't be an issue, but mine has the same footprint and 18 inches tall. Its really top heavy

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[lunch]

Just on the "nails vs screws" topic, if I built houses with pre drilled holes and screws I'd never make any money, too time consuming and expensive, have u ever bought a piece o furniture that required construction? They don't come with nails.. Furniture and houses are completely different. You said you want to do it right, use the screws..



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[fish wrangler]

Have the top and bottom pieces made. Next step is the corners. Coming along slowly, and will have pictures soon.

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[fish wrangler]

Finally picture time


Top and bottom pieces


50% done with frame. 2 more 2×4s in the corners and 1 in the back will finish it off....maybe

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[RadMax8]

Looks good. I'm taking notes on this!


Definitely not wasting time. Nope.

 

[Fresh2o]

For a 20L like yours a taller stand wouldn't be an issue, but mine has the same footprint and 18 inches tall. Its really top heavy

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Looking good so far.
I forgot about the extra height of the 29g. A third reason I'll probably make it wider/deeper is for the added stability.


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[fish wrangler]

No more adjustments to be made...not going to/can't take the stand apart. Used screws on the precision fits and nails on the rest. The short 2×4s supporting the tank are nailed, and there is 1 nail in the 29" 2×4s. The 29"ers wouldn't suck down so I had to use a nail to hold it and then screws to really hold it. Well that and the screws where just driving me nuts.


Here it is when I was told to stop making so much noise. I don't know what my dad was talking about
Tomorrow I have to add the 29"(notched out) and a 22" piece in a corner.

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[fish wrangler]

Done...well with the frame.


Side/front view


Back view


Top view

Doesn't look like much now, but for just over a days work not to shabby!
I'm going to use 1×5 on the top to give the tank a flat surface to sit on, I tried making the 2×4s perfectly even, but some are slightly lower

Edit-removed the inside middle brace and just toe-nailed the outer 2×4.

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[DeadFish83]

Any finished pics? Looking to build a stand for the same size tank...

 

[fish wrangler]

I ended up leaving the stand as is and using it in my basement for storage. If I where to build another stand I would use 1×4 and wrap it in 3/4" plywood for strength. The 2×4 frame was overkill and didn't leave enough room on the inside for my filter and co2 tank.

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[DeadFish83]

Thanks for the info. Wondered if it was overkill, maybe I will use your idea and cut back on 2x4's. Thinking I could wrap it in 1/4" finish board and put doors on it with a shelf on the inside...??


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[fish wrangler]

Look at commercial cabinet stands and emulate them. My 75 gallon is on 1x4's wrapped with 1/2" ply. 1/4" ply should work but doesn't give you a lot of room to nail/screw into, that's why I said I'd use 3/4" ply in the future

 

[DeadFish83]

Thanks for the advice...


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[WinkWink]

I'm curious how this is going? [emoji4]

 

[DeadFish83]

Still have to finish the door but it works great... it's heavy duty for sure!

 

[WinkWink]

You did Awesome!! Looks great!! Thank you! [emoji4][emoji1417]