DIY Wood Stand or Aluminum Stand?

[MarcosDelgado0]

Has anyone ever built their own wood stand? I’m going to start a 48”x24” frag tank and it’s like impossible to find a stand for that tank locally so I’m considering either DIY or possibly ordering an aluminum extrusion stand. I’ve never built a stand but it looks simple enough in videos… Now the question, does it just look easy or is it actually fairly straight forward? Or should I just completely scrap that idea and order an aluminum stand?

 

[Turkeysammich]

Both are extremely easy if you’re handy. If you’ve ever had an aluminum stand. It’s the way to go. I’m a huge fan. Wood is a lot cheaper tho. If you get stuck ask.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

If you don’t mind an open sump area use a workbench, lots of options with a 48x24” tabletop.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

If you don’t mind an open sump area use a workbench, lots of options with a 48x24” tabletop.

I never thought about that. You mean something like this? It says it’s rated for up to 1200 lbs so I feel like it’d be strong enough

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Both are extremely easy if you’re handy. If you’ve ever had an aluminum stand. It’s the way to go. I’m a huge fan. Wood is a lot cheaper tho. If you get stuck ask.

I might give the wood a shot. I have most of the tools already I’d just need to buy 2x4s which are relatively cheap

 

[MichaelB]

I might give the wood a shot. I have most of the twos already I’d just need to buy 2x4s which are relatively cheap

If you need to borrow some tools let me know, I have a nice variety, for the size of the project your considering.

 

[CaseyP]

As long as the wood is straight, your cuts are straight, and your angles are 90* where they need to be, it's pretty easy. Most of the 2x4 stand plans out there are more than robust enough. If you don't mind the bulk of 2x4s and not going for looks, it's perfectly fine.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

If you need to borrow some tools let me know, I have a nice variety, for the size of the project your considering.

Appreciate it! I think I have everything but I will text you if anything

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

I never thought about that. You mean something like this?

@SupraSaltyReefer Realized I didn’t even attach a photo lol. Blue one says it’s rated for 6000lbs and has a stainless steel top. Black one is a lot cheaper but rated for 1200lbs and the top is particle board

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Yep they work. A few people on here have used them. @Reefinglens uses one for his 6’ frag tank.

https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/6ft-flat-frag-tank.35642/

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

@Reefinglens If I may ask, where did you order your stand from? What kind of top did you use and did you seal it or anything to protect from water?

 

[ashburn2k]

Or use thickest plywood you can find and I managed to build one for under $60 with 3/4 plywood from hdx

 

[ashburn2k]

 

[MichaelB]

Appreciate it! I think I have everything but I will text you if anything

Feel free too

 

[Reefinglens]

@Reefinglens If I may ask, where did you order your stand from? What kind of top did you use and did you seal it or anything to protect from water?

I got it from homedepot. It’s the gladiator 6’ workbench. It’s solid wood and already sealed with UV protective coating.
The 4foot models are on sale for memorial weekend.

Stands that I’ve built in the past I painted with exterior paint.

I’ve also used butcher block tops and sealed them with oil and 3 coats of Polycrylic.

 

[popper]

I built several solid wood stand before and have the tools. LMK if you need help.

 

[popper]

Or you can buy from this seller that been posting a stand for over 5+ years. I'll price match the ad + 50%. LOL

 

[Austin S]

I recently built out a 2x4 stand for my 75 gallon. If I were to go back and do it again, one suggestion I’d make is to spend time to make sure the wood you pick is as straight as possible. If you go to a lumber yard instead of Home Depot you may have a better selection to choose from. I’ve even heard some shops offer to plane the boards for a fee to remove any warps. I wound up adding a layer of self leveling epoxy resin to the top board to create a perfectly level surface for the tank, but could have omitted this step if I took a bit more time to pick my wood.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend building out your own stand if you are leaning that direction. It was a really rewarding project and allows room for customization. I’ve added in a shelf, mounted my light rack, and build out support for pvc drain/returns. Doors for the stand are still a WIP, but that is the next one on the list(girlfriend keeps reminding me of this one because “the sump is ugly” )

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

I recently build out a 2x4 stand for my 75 gallon. If I were to go back and do it again, one suggestion I’d make is to spend time to make sure the wood you pick is as straight as possible. If you go to a lumber yard instead of Home Depot you may have a better selection to choose from. I’ve even heard some shops offer to plane the boards for a fee to remove any warps. I wound up adding a layer of self leveling epoxy resin to the top board to create a perfectly level surface for the tank, but could have omitted this step if I took a bit more time to pick my wood.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend building out your own stand if you are leaning that direction. It was a really rewarding project and allows room for customization. I’ve added in a shelf, mounted my light rack, and build out support for pvc drain/returns. Doors for the stand are still a wip, but that is the next one on the list(girlfriend keeps remind me of this one because “the sump is ugly” )

Wow that’s awesome!

 

[Darkxerox]

I recently built out a 2x4 stand for my 75 gallon. If I were to go back and do it again, one suggestion I’d make is to spend time to make sure the wood you pick is as straight as possible. If you go to a lumber yard instead of Home Depot you may have a better selection to choose from. I’ve even heard some shops offer to plane the boards for a fee to remove any warps. I wound up adding a layer of self leveling epoxy resin to the top board to create a perfectly level surface for the tank, but could have omitted this step if I took a bit more time to pick my wood.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend building out your own stand if you are leaning that direction. It was a really rewarding project and allows room for customization. I’ve added in a shelf, mounted my light rack, and build out support for pvc drain/returns. Doors for the stand are still a WIP, but that is the next one on the list(girlfriend keeps reminding me of this one because “the sump is ugly” )

Welcome to the club! Would love to hear more about your tanks if you get a chance to post a tank journal. Those stands look really nice and match your room so well.