Let Me See Your DIY Stands

[SilverCityReef]

I am going to be building my own custom stand from scratch and am looking for different ideas and variations of setups. I am thinking sump will be to one side and I will have other side open for future upgrades? If you can post some pics of your DIY stands I would really appreciate it. Looking to get started on stand this week. Please also note the types of materials you used.

 

[cvrle1]

Take about a month and start reading through this thread. It is 220 pages long or so (thread is split into 2 now):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110&page=189

For info on the stand design and what parts are needed, look into 1st thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964 (this is the 1st tread before the split. Above link is 2nd thread after the split and starts at the last page, with newest info and examples of what others did)

 

[Labridaedicted]

May not be exactly what you're looking for since mine is plumbed into a fish room but this is mine....

It's a modified version of the rocket engineer stand on my 180 dt (the fish room has 2 more stacks of 2 based on the same basic design). The top frame is made of 2x6 and the rest of the skeleton is 2x4s. The top is skinned using 3/4" ply (which you can't see since it's under the tank) and the sides are all skinned with 3/4 inch ply as well. The finish was done using vinyl wood-look laminate flooring which ended up looking very good and is waterproof.

The modification from the original RE design comes from the fact that I added a bar to the front of the tank. I attached another frame for that to the main stand and skinned it all together. There are more details in my build thread in my link if you're interested.

 

[George Lopez]

I don't have a picture right now but I do have a video



I hope it helps

 

[SilverCityReef]

I don't have a picture right now but I do have a video



I hope it helps

This stand came out great! How did you setup the door on the front so it just pulls off? Also, what is your clearance from top of tank?

May not be exactly what you're looking for since mine is plumbed into a fish room but this is mine....

It's a modified version of the rocket engineer stand on my 180 dt (the fish room has 2 more stacks of 2 based on the same basic design). The top frame is made of 2x6 and the rest of the skeleton is 2x4s. The top is skinned using 3/4" ply (which you can't see since it's under the tank) and the sides are all skinned with 3/4 inch ply as well. The finish was done using vinyl wood-look laminate flooring which ended up looking very good and is waterproof.

The modification from the original RE design comes from the fact that I added a bar to the front of the tank. I attached another frame for that to the main stand and skinned it all together. There are more details in my build thread in my link if you're interested.

I like the flooring idea and it looks great. The frame work gives me a good idea on how I should start and I like that extra lip in front. Now to figure out dimensions and how to make it all come together the way I want it to.

 

[VSVP bet]

Built this for an AIO tank, might give you ideas on structure, no room for a sump though.

 

[SilverCityReef]

Built this for an AIO tank, might give you ideas on structure, no room for a sump though.

What did you use for materials? My goal is to hide everything underneath and separate sump from electrical. This looks like a simple to build but great looking stand.

 

[VSVP bet]

What did you use for materials? My goal is to hide everything underneath and separate sump from electrical. This looks like a simple to build but great looking stand.

I used wood from home depot, don't remember the exact type, but just built a frame, added shelves, and painted it. I had no need for doors as it was an AIO system, so I used it for a shelf. I also build a stand for my 90 gallon reef, when I get home I can post pictures. It has 2 front doors and a side door for easy sump access, for any tank with a sump, thats the design I recommend.

 

[SilverCityReef]

I used wood from home depot, don't remember the exact type, but just built a frame, added shelves, and painted it. I had no need for doors as it was an AIO system, so I used it for a shelf. I also build a stand for my 90 gallon reef, when I get home I can post pictures. It has 2 front doors and a side door for easy sump access, for any tank with a sump, thats the design I recommend.

Did you use a solid top or is it like a couple of 1x8/10s? From what I can tell in pictures it looks like a 2 by 4 frame with wood molding on corners but I can't tell what the top is. I would love to see the one with doors if you get a chance to take a picture.

 

[VSVP bet]

Did you use a solid top or is it like a couple of 1x8/10s? From what I can tell in pictures it looks like a 2 by 4 frame with wood molding on corners but I can't tell what the top is. I would love to see the one with doors if you get a chance to take a picture.

So the top was 1/4 or 1/2" ply (cant remember). We used exterior grade wood and then covered it in exterior grade paint, the rationale being that this system would be most resistant to water. Then we used finishing nails to attach scarp wood creating a decorative rim around the top ply, thats why it looks like it over hangs. If i remember correctly, the top was one solid piece that @Teddy Marshall and i cut.

 

[jason.kennedy.98478]

 

[n2585722]

Below are photos of my Stand and canopy for a hex tank. See my build thread for details on the building process.

 

[Dragon52]

This is mine. I used 2x4, 2x6 for the frame & 3/8 plywood for skinning. Measures 61x26x30. I coated the bottom & the inside of tub part with white flex-seal to make it waterproof.

 

[Jackony]

 

[Steve McGlamery]

Here's my cherry stand.

 

[sergebmw2]

Beautiful build !

 

[Samuel Diaz]

 

[George Lopez]

This stand came out great! How did you setup the door on the front so it just pulls off? Also, what is your clearance from top of tank?

For the front I took a single piece of plywood (so the wouldn't have to be any seams and all the grain flows in the same direction) and did a plunge cut with my circular saw and a guide to cut out the door itself then used the trim to cover up the gap. The door is held on by 4 door clips they really don't hold the weight of the door, the bottom edge holds the weight and they just keep it from falling out. The clearance I'll check when i get home.

 

[atx100r]

I am going to be building my own custom stand from scratch and am looking for different ideas and variations of setups. I am thinking sump will be to one side and I will have other side open for future upgrades? If you can post some pics of your DIY stands I would really appreciate it. Looking to get started on stand this week. Please also note the types of materials you used.

Check out the custom stand I did for my 75 gallon...No center obstruction. Full front access that works simple and easy. If I could change a few things I probably would have built a electronics compartment on the side and made both end pieces removable like the fornt. I have learned you can never have enough access points to your sump...Good Luck

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/75-gallon-mixed-reef-with-40-breeder-sump-build.329799/

 

[Greybeard]

Think outside the box

1.5" 11g steel tube structure, decorative painted surround with a thick layer of bar top poly, led lit bookshelf inserts to fill space under tank.