aquarium stand in raw industrial style

[Shawnboy]

could you add a parts list?

[intermediate_noob]

Originally Posted by Wicket_lfe

I think that is the final product.

It's definitley different. Very clean too. Good job.

I was referring to the final tank up and running with the exposed equipment.

As an aside, Lowe's sells those brackets, screws, etc. in a Workbench kit that you can design on their website. Did not know it could be used as a tank stand designer too!

You will need Java installed, here is the link:

http://lowes.diyonline.com/servlet/G...e=&UserID=1011

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by Shawnboy

could you add a parts list?

there really isn't much to it. you can see most everything in that first couple photos. one design note that i would add is that the top edges of the stand should be slightly wider and longer (maybe ~1/4") than the aquarium base. while assembling, take care to make sure that the top of the stand is straight and level: i measured from the tops of those vertical 4X4.

i think that the wood is western red cedar. make sure to use cured wood, not the still-green stuff. naturally, the wood is sanded and finished before assembly. i used an oil-based polyurethane as sanding sealer and waterproof finish.

i did find some screws that looked nice with the galvanized connectors. i will try to post a picture of those. the fastener is made by Strong Tie: model #RTC42. i bought them at Home Depot. they also have a similar one that accepts just 2X4's: model #RTC44.

i have a little bit more on my blog:

http://hydrophytesblog.com/?p=214

hydrophyte

[rbarn]

Check local "Hardwood Lumber" stores in your area for unique
wood selections too.

Lowes is going to have oak and pine and thats it.

Some extra money spent on some exotic wood like Cherry
or hydrophyte's Red Cedar can go a long way in giving your stand
that extra touch.

[monkeyruler90]

wow, i love the color of the wood.
great build!

[hydrophyte]

that red cedar is used primarily for building decks, so you should be able to find something comparable.

i bought the wood at Menards, which is a Wisconsin-based chain of stores similar to Home Depot or Lowes, except that they have a much better lumber yard.

hydrophyte

[Regloh]

Originally Posted by idontknow

I assume you must not have any little children who would flood your floors with that open design

I thought the same thing

I think blair also had an open tank stand design that was pretty snazzy. Those of us with small children are just jealous, that we can't have this

[hydrophyte]

nope. no little kids around here.

i plan to post another picture showing this all set up. i also started a thread over on the tank journal forum that describes a display that will have a stand real similar to this one, but for a 55:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...-riparium.html

[malaybiswas]

The look and feel is outstanding although I am not a big fan of keeping the filter and other equipments in open. But that is just a personal choice.

From a functional side, do you plan to keep the center open and support the tank base only on the edges or do you plan to lay a plank or something on the stand?

[hydrophyte]

this is an update with some recent pictures. i include several views to demonstrate specifics of stand build.

here is the whole shebang with tank and green salad on top. all of the tank system components and stand--less the Teklight--were easy to find and pretty economical.



that Echinodorus flower spike is reaching way out into room. the other plants still need to grow in some more. i used Riparium Supply stuff to plant all of the emergent plants. the underwater plants are planted into pool filter sand. they get bi-weekly ferts and Excel every day. the underwater plants do more or less ok like this because the water is mostly shaded by the emergent stuff.

the aquarium is an Aqueon 65G with the top rim popped off. well, it didn't exactly pop off. i wrestled with it for the better part of an afternoon and i was lucky not to slice my hand wide open.

this is view under stand with Filstar, houseplants, electrical and chicken.



...more detail. the only equipment under here is the filter, a powerstrip and timer. the shelf is a simple rectangle--note gap on each end. i used "sanded" plywood for shelf, using primer as sanding sealer, then a layer of paint and finally several coats of oil-based polyurethane. this gave me a nice finish



this shot is from beneath shelf. four of these brackets hold it up.

[Cactus Bastard]

Holy crap that's amazing!

[intermediate_noob]

Originally Posted by Cactus Bastard

Holy crap that's amazing!

Could not have said it any better myself!

Outstanding job! Hey wasn't I building a stand...hmmm...I should get around to that.

[Hoppy]

Absolutely beautiful! And, I have a question I keep forgetting to ask: are the legs chamfered on the bottom? And, do you have levelers for feet, on the legs?

[Tamelesstgr]

Very nice work, I like it a lot.

[lumpyfunk]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Absolutely beautiful! And, I have a question I keep forgetting to ask: are the legs chamfered on the bottom? And, do you have levelers for feet, on the legs?

I was just wondering the same thing.

This looks great, I wish I could have an open stand. . . .too many little hands.