here is a picture demonstrating the other kind of stand that i have been building--simple plywood top tables. this one is for a 20 gallon. it has about 1 1/2" of top sticking out all around the tank, and the legs are aligned with the tank corners.
the next shot shows detail beneath. these legs were scavenged from a cheap fiberboard desk that i found in the trash. i have also built two of these using threaded steel pipe and threaded floor flanges--very easy.
here is the general progression for putting one of these together:
- determine size, cut two pieces 3/4" sanded plywood wood
- mark flange positions, mark holes for screws that will join two pieces of plywood
- glue two pieces plywood together, with more fisnished surfaces on outside, screw together tight
- allow glue to dry, then remove screws
- sand all plywood surfaces smooth
- finish with oil-based polyurathane varnish, using as sanding sealer, then applying several addional clean coats
- replace screws
- attach pipe flanges and screw legs in place
- attach rubber leg bases to pipe bottoms
- et voilą