aquarium stand in raw industrial style

golfer_d · 12-15-2012, 05:57 AM

I am wanting to build a stand like this but the local Home Depot does not carry the connectors for the 4 x 4 just the 2 x 4 corner connector. I could order the bench making kit online to get the 4 x 4 connectors but with shipping etc to Canada it would be around $75.

I have a 10 gallon tank (standard starter) that I want to place on it at one end and then possibly a smaller shrimp bowl at the other end (total length of the stand about 32" and a depth of about 12 to 14"). This idea kind of defeats the purpose of the weight being focused on the corner beams so I am not sure if I should do that or just stick with the dimensions of the tank for size.

I notice AnotherHobby used braces in the middle along with a top piece for a 12 gallon so would I be able to do something similar even though I would only be using say 2 x 4 as my corner posts? Seems all the weight would then be on the top and the middle brackets? I am not sure how weight gets deflected down which is why I am asking.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

AnotherHobby · 12-15-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfer_d

I am wanting to build a stand like this but the local Home Depot does not carry the connectors for the 4 x 4 just the 2 x 4 corner connector. I could order the bench making kit online to get the 4 x 4 connectors but with shipping etc to Canada it would be around $75.

I have a 10 gallon tank (standard starter) that I want to place on it at one end and then possibly a smaller shrimp bowl at the other end (total length of the stand about 32" and a depth of about 12 to 14"). This idea kind of defeats the purpose of the weight being focused on the corner beams so I am not sure if I should do that or just stick with the dimensions of the tank for size.

I notice AnotherHobby used braces in the middle along with a top piece for a 12 gallon so would I be able to do something similar even though I would only be using say 2 x 4 as my corner posts? Seems all the weight would then be on the top and the middle brackets? I am not sure how weight gets deflected down which is why I am asking.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you want the 4x4 connectors (which look way better IMHO), I bet your local Home Depot can special order the part for you. They can almost always do that — just go to their special order service desk.

Also, weight will not be an issue with a 10 gallon however you do it. The top I made with the cross beams under is is incredibly strong, and 2x4 legs would be no problem — 100 pounds is nothing to it.

Regarding size, 14" depth is the absolute minimum you can make this stand because of the size of the brackets. Look at my pictures and you'll see the brackets are about 1/16" from touching. That's with 14" depth.

golfer_d · 12-15-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherHobby

If you want the 4x4 connectors (which look way better IMHO), I bet your local Home Depot can special order the part for you. They can almost always do that — just go to their special order service desk.

Also, weight will not be an issue with a 10 gallon however you do it. The top I made with the cross beams under is is incredibly strong, and 2x4 legs would be no problem — 100 pounds is nothing to it.

Regarding size, 14" depth is the absolute minimum you can make this stand because of the size of the brackets. Look at my pictures and you'll see the brackets are about 1/16" from touching. That's with 14" depth.

Thanks mate! I agree that the 4x4 look will be much better than the 2x4 but I was curious how the other would turn out. The price seems to be the same for the bracket part but the 4x4 would be more expensive than the 2x4 but I think the look is best. I just need to find a cheaper 4x4 as I plan to paint the stand black so no sense spending more on a nice grained wood (western red cedar) if I am not staining it. I am new to all of this though so I am not even sure if I can find a cheaper 4x4!??

For some reason I am always worried that the stand won't be able to hold a 10 gallon tank. I shouldn't be when I see how cheaply made a lot of the LFS stands are and what they hold.

Droyer · 12-17-2012, 07:07 AM

Just got a 75 gallon and need to get/build a stand. Using this stand design would it be able to support a 75 gallon?

AnotherHobby · 12-17-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droyer

Just got a 75 gallon and need to get/build a stand. Using this stand design would it be able to support a 75 gallon?

Yes. I think it could easily support my VW.

Droyer · 12-17-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherHobby

Yes. I think it could easily support my VW.

Thank you! Now its time to hit up a hardware store

golfer_d · 12-17-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

I'm building another one of these for my 65G.

This time I am using the Strong-Ties that hold the vertical 2 X 4s, instead of 4 X 4s. I'm going to paint the boards a nice color like dark sap green or purple or something like that.

I am curious how this turned out. Hope you can post some photos if you have it completed!

hydrophyte · 12-27-2012, 09:50 PM

Here's a lighting solution that should look good with this kind of stand. I have a quick description of how I put it together over in my Mr. Aqua 11.4 journal... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...=199656&page=3

sdylanh · 01-01-2013, 03:47 PM

I can post more detail later, but I wanted to throw in some pics of my mostly finished stand for my 55g very obviously inspired by this thread. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the process.

sdylanh · 01-08-2013, 02:50 AM

Finally figured out how to make the pictures work...

AnotherHobby · 01-08-2013, 12:42 PM

Cool! Interesting take on it. I'm still not sure if I'm going to do doors or a curtain down below on mine, but the doors look good. I like how you did the lights too.

I recently made an integrated support for my CO2 cylinder. It supports the tank and keeps it from falling over, and it lowers it down so I can see the gauges easier.

golfer_d · 01-11-2013, 04:10 PM

Has anyone done this type of build with the 2x4's as the legs instead of 4x4 (and has photos to show what it looks like)?

I am curious as I can't find the connectors in the 4x4 dimension and well 2x4's are cheaper than 4x4's (I plan to paint the stand black so spending extra on nice 4x4's for staining is pointless).

AnotherHobby · 01-11-2013, 04:52 PM

I don't think that 2x4 will look anywhere near as good. You mentioned above that your HD caries the 2x4 connectors, which means they can get Simpson connectors easily. You could just go to the service desk and ask them to order them for you. It should be no problem for them.

golfer_d · 01-11-2013, 07:00 PM

I agree that it might not look as good with the 2x4 but hydrophyte said his looked alright but didn't have any photos.

Was just curious and I am thinking it might be overkill and expensive for just a 10 gallon tank.

golfer_d · 01-11-2013, 07:05 PM

I may also go with a modified version of this. Not as long as she built it but I think I could fit my 10 gallon on it as well as my planted bowl. Of course I would need some cross beams under the top if my 10 gallon tank was not resting directly on corners of the stand.

http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/rustic-x-console

12-27-2012, 09:50 PM	#188
hydrophyte Sponsor (View User Tanks) PTrader: (122/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 9,144	Here's a lighting solution that should look good with this kind of stand. I have a quick description of how I put it together over in my Mr. Aqua 11.4 journal... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...=199656&page=3 __________________ hydrophyte Visit the Riparium Supply vendor forum!

01-01-2013, 03:47 PM	#189
sdylanh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	I can post more detail later, but I wanted to throw in some pics of my mostly finished stand for my 55g very obviously inspired by this thread. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the process. Last edited by sdylanh; 01-01-2013 at 03:59 PM.. Reason: picture

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-15-2012, 05:57 AM	#181
golfer_d Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 181	I am wanting to build a stand like this but the local Home Depot does not carry the connectors for the 4 x 4 just the 2 x 4 corner connector. I could order the bench making kit online to get the 4 x 4 connectors but with shipping etc to Canada it would be around $75. I have a 10 gallon tank (standard starter) that I want to place on it at one end and then possibly a smaller shrimp bowl at the other end (total length of the stand about 32" and a depth of about 12 to 14"). This idea kind of defeats the purpose of the weight being focused on the corner beams so I am not sure if I should do that or just stick with the dimensions of the tank for size. I notice AnotherHobby used braces in the middle along with a top piece for a 12 gallon so would I be able to do something similar even though I would only be using say 2 x 4 as my corner posts? Seems all the weight would then be on the top and the middle brackets? I am not sure how weight gets deflected down which is why I am asking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

12-17-2012, 07:07 AM	#184
Droyer Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States Posts: 47	Just got a 75 gallon and need to get/build a stand. Using this stand design would it be able to support a 75 gallon?

01-08-2013, 02:50 AM	#190
sdylanh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	Finally figured out how to make the pictures work...

01-08-2013, 12:42 PM	#191
AnotherHobby Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 174	Cool! Interesting take on it. I'm still not sure if I'm going to do doors or a curtain down below on mine, but the doors look good. I like how you did the lights too. I recently made an integrated support for my CO2 cylinder. It supports the tank and keeps it from falling over, and it lowers it down so I can see the gauges easier.

01-11-2013, 04:10 PM	#192
golfer_d Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 181	Has anyone done this type of build with the 2x4's as the legs instead of 4x4 (and has photos to show what it looks like)? I am curious as I can't find the connectors in the 4x4 dimension and well 2x4's are cheaper than 4x4's (I plan to paint the stand black so spending extra on nice 4x4's for staining is pointless).

01-11-2013, 04:52 PM	#193
AnotherHobby Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 174	I don't think that 2x4 will look anywhere near as good. You mentioned above that your HD caries the 2x4 connectors, which means they can get Simpson connectors easily. You could just go to the service desk and ask them to order them for you. It should be no problem for them.

01-11-2013, 07:00 PM	#194
golfer_d Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 181	I agree that it might not look as good with the 2x4 but hydrophyte said his looked alright but didn't have any photos. Was just curious and I am thinking it might be overkill and expensive for just a 10 gallon tank.

01-11-2013, 07:05 PM	#195
golfer_d Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 181	I may also go with a modified version of this. Not as long as she built it but I think I could fit my 10 gallon on it as well as my planted bowl. Of course I would need some cross beams under the top if my 10 gallon tank was not resting directly on corners of the stand. http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/rustic-x-console