Anyone ever used granite or a cement countertop for a stand?

[Kingsley_Reef]

I'd appreciate some giggles, but if you are steering me to some metal framed stand or if you are a proclaimed professional, I am not interested.

custom home builder but definitely not a sales pitch I’m curious as to what something like this would cost myself knowing what some of these kitchens go for

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

custom home builder but definitely not a sales pitch I’m curious as to what something like this would cost myself knowing what some of these kitchens go for

Wish I had you nearby when I was trying to get input on what the previous builders were drinking when they framed up my house i would be interested in it too. The concrete option would be much more economical i have to think. Granites wild money

 

[JayM]

I have plenty of granite left from when I remodeled my kitchen and considered using it when I built my stand a few months ago, but ultimately decided that it would be better utilized someplace that 99% of it wouldn’t be permanently hidden.

 

[Fish Fan]

Wish I had you nearby when I was trying to get input on what the previous builders were drinking when they framed up my house i would be interested in it too. The concrete option would be much more economical i have to think. Granites wild money

To be fair, I was never thinking of granite. I am thinking of inexpensive concrete ;-)

I have plenty of granite left from when I remodeled my kitchen and considered using it when I built my stand a few months ago, but ultimately decided that it would be better utilized someplace that 99% of it wouldn’t be permanently hidden.

With much respect, I'm not looking to go granite, and I fully understand that just a small amount would show. I do think I would like the look, but I'm sincerely asking if anyone else has ever done this

Thanks everyone!

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you all very much, I do appreciate your help here!

 

[bradreef]

The granite piece I bought was not expensive. I did reinforce the stand a ton. Every major city has a granite remnant shop. Ide recommend so it's exactly level.

 

[FishPerson]

Hey guys!

I'm wondering if anyone has ever used a piece of granite or stone, or what I'm considering, a concrete countertop on a stand?

I have indeed seen this for smaller tanks, like 10-20 gallons, but not larger.

I'm considering a fairly typical wooden cabinet style base with a top that over hangs the base all around, like a table top. The tank (a 150 gallon SC Aquariums peninsula), would just rest on the "table top", and I may or may not trim around he bottom. It would be easy enough for me to do a wooden "table top", but a while back I got interested in pre-poured concrete countertops. I've not yet tried to make one yet, but I think I've watched every YouTube video on making concrete countertops, so I'm pretty much an expert now ;-)

What do you guys think? Dumb idea? I just think it might be a cool combination of materials, wood and cement.

For the cement, I would likely use RapidSet Mortar Mix, which sets to 6500 psi, so I believe no issue with being crushed under the weight of the tank. And I'd go at least 1.5" and likely 2" thick. The whole thing will live on our basement level on the house's cement foundation, so again I don't think weight is a problem. And clearly I'd way overbuild the cabinet base ;-)

Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

My friend uses a granite top for his tank I think it would be fine.

 

[Fish Fan]

My friend uses a granite top for his tank I think it would be fine.

How large is their tank?

 

[FishPerson]

How large is their tank?

20 gal but I don’t think it will be that much of a difference for a bigger one

 

[Fish Fan]

20 gal but I don’t think it will be that much of a difference for a bigger one

I don't think larger will be a problem with weight or anything, mostly just wondering.

 

[Michael71]

@Fish Fan I would not recommend a concrete slab at 1 inch or 2 inch thick to support a 150 gallon aquarium. I've worked in the exterior landscape and hardscape industry for over 30 years. Unless you were gonna purchase precast concrete. I would not recommend going below 3 inches. Being this is going to be a wet cast slab, You should also reinforce the slab. Even the best poured slabs have micro cracks in them. Also if you have never poured a slab before, I would stay away from rapid set concrete. You can still get a mix design that will pour out at 6500 PSI at 28 days which is the recommended cure time Without monkeying with a rapid set concrete. Plan on vibrating the concrete to get as much air pockets out of it as possible it will make it stronger in the long run. You will also want to Heavilyreinforce your lumber to support this slab. A slab that's 5 foot long 30 inches wide at 3 inch thickness is gonna weigh about 470 pounds.

 

[Fish Fan]

@Fish Fan I would not recommend a concrete slab at 1 inch or 2 inch thick to support a 150 gallon aquarium. I've worked in the exterior landscape and hardscape industry for over 30 years. Unless you were gonna purchase precast concrete. I would not recommend going below 3 inches. Being this is going to be a wet cast slab, You should also reinforce the slab. Even the best poured slabs have micro cracks in them. Also if you have never poured a slab before, I would stay away from rapid set concrete. You can still get a mix design that will pour out at 6500 PSI at 28 days which is the recommended cure time Without monkeying with a rapid set concrete. Plan on vibrating the concrete to get as much air pockets out of it as possible it will make it stronger in the long run. You will also want to Heavilyreinforce your lumber to support this slab. A slab that's 5 foot long 30 inches wide at 3 inch thickness is gonna weigh about 470 pounds.

Than you for your reply and input! I decided on the RapidSet mortar mix after a couple specific YouTube videos where the end result was awesome. They did use the RapidSet flow control and set control additives too. I do know to reinforce and vibrate the mold. I've never done this before, but it looks very straightforward. I'm also not saying I'm 100% going to do this for my stand, but wondering if it can be done, or if anyone has done it. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Michael71]

It most certainly can be done and it can be made to look really awesome depending upon what aggregate you get for the mix. If it were me doing it I would go the extra step and after it's poured, Polish it And seal it

 

[Fish Fan]

Yeah, it would have to be sealed for sure. The polishing is a great idea. Here's one of the YouTube guys that I liked his final product using the RapidSet products and then polishing the concrete. This is exactly what I'd like to do for my outdoor BBQ countertop. Just check out his final product, it almost looks like real stone or granite.


But I was leaning against polishing for the tank stand because I didn't think you'd see enough of the surface, and this I would be pouring inside where the tank is going, and I thought trying polish it would be a huge mess indoors.

 

[Keithb22]

I would consider the strength properties of the concrete itself but most importantly the stand. A wood top is much lighter than a concrete top. So the stand would need to support the 1500 ish pounds of the tank in addition to whatever the top weighs.

 

[Michael71]

Yeah, it would have to be sealed for sure. The polishing is a great idea. Here's one of the YouTube guys that I liked his final product using the RapidSet products and then polishing the concrete. This is exactly what I'd like to do for my outdoor BBQ countertop. Just check out his final product, it almost looks like real stone or granite.


But I was leaning against polishing for the tank stand because I didn't think you'd see enough of the surface, and this I would be pouring inside where the tank is going, and I thought trying polish it would be a huge mess indoors.

Lol i have watched this one before when contemplating doing a kitchen countertop for my house

 

[Michael71]

I will be building a custom stand for my 100 gal cube build..i plan on doing a live edge slab 2" thick walnut. with a post and beam frame and then siding it with 5/4 x 4" or 6" tongue and groove... putting doors on both sides and front and am making the stand about 60" so i can put a 44" sump below and ato resevoir as well as enough room for power and control boards. Thinking about sealing the walnut with an epoxy pour but that will depend on the slab i get. It will need to be 36"to 42" wide at the tank and can narrow down to 24 to 30" at the ends.

 

[Fish Fan]

I will be building a custom stand for my 100 gal cube build..i plan on doing a live edge slab 2" thick walnut. with a post and beam frame and then siding it with 5/4 x 4" or 6" tongue and groove... putting doors on both sides and front and am making the stand about 60" so i can put a 44" sump below and ato resevoir as well as enough room for power and control boards. Thinking about sealing the walnut with an epoxy pour but that will depend on the slab i get. It will need to be 36"to 42" wide at the tank and can narrow down to 24 to 30" at the ends.

That sounds like a solid plan, I’ll bet the live edge slab would look great finished in epoxy. Do you have a good source for the hardwood? Hardwood is beyond expensive where I am these days. I wish I knew a small sawmill out in the country somewhere that at least had cheap domestics.

 

[Michael71]

That sounds like a solid plan, I’ll bet the live edge slab would look great finished in epoxy. Do you have a good source for the hardwood? Hardwood is beyond expensive where I am these days. I wish I knew a small sawmill out in the country somewhere that at least had cheap domestics.

Check out this slab...yes, i have a couple of sawmills to choose from. This one is too long, but coukd use the excess for plant shelving or our frog terrarium

 

[Fish Fan]

That’s a sweet looking walnut slab lol! $600 isn’t bad for that.