My DIY stand for the 190g!

[jcardona1]

Hey folks,

Just showing my DIY stand build for my 60x30x24 190g build. Hopefully it should be done in a few weeks. First off, this is the only second stand I've built. I hate working with wood, I don't enjoy it all, I only do it out of necessity! Been working on this thing for several days now.

Thing is overbuilt by 10x, but it's the easiest way I've found to build a stand. Framed out of regular 2x4s, then skinned in whiteboard since it's light and cheap. And since I'm only painting it, I didn't need to go with some high quality wood.

This stand will have side access doors also. Doors were built out of birch plywood panels, with a simple trim. It's not perfect, but came out decent IMO, and I'm learning! Maybe one day I can build a stain-worthy stand. But for now, I think this will look just fine in my living room.

Final color is gloss leather brown. Enjoy!

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=582943&d=1297320108

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=582946&d=1297320108

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=584480&d=1297704325

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=584481&d=1297704325

[Chad Hughes]

Nice!

If we ever have a bad earthquake this is where I would seek refuge. LOL! Well done!

Best wishes!

[jcardona1]

Thanks Chad! And yeah, I think I should worry about the house toppling over before this stand would :D

[ockyra215]

Man that thing is built like a brick shithouse Nice!!

[two utes]

For someone who hates working with wood, you have done a brilliant job. I like how you have access from the sides as well.

[ZX10R]

Can I ask why the tennis ball is hanging by a string? I think I know the answer but I am just wondering. I don't think you will have to worry about that stand falling over.

[DonMD]

Looks great! Made me think about my Oceanic 125 gallon stand. It's beautiful, but store-bought. One thing, tho, is that the "floor" inside the cabinet has been treated with I don't know HOW many coats of water repellant finish. Good thing, too, since with opening and closing canister filters, and changing water, I'm always getting water on that floor.

Send pictures when you've got fish in it. Congrats!

[William Palumbo]

Great looking stand. You may hate working with wood, but I see that you know HOW to work with it, and have the tools to do so... Kick butt job!...Bill

[jcardona1]

Man that thing is built like a brick shithouse Nice!!

Thanks, I'm sure it would hold not one Buick, but two!


For someone who hates working with wood, you have done a brilliant job. I like how you have access from the sides as well.

Thanks! The side doors were a last minute change. Because the 2x4 supports took up so much room, I couldn't slide my 40g sump in. So I added the doors just in case the sump needed to be removed without having to tear down the tank.


Can I ask why the tennis ball is hanging by a string? I think I know the answer but I am just wondering. I don't think you will have to worry about that stand falling over.

That's a parking guide for fiancee. When the ball touches her windshield, she'll know she has to stop. Without that, she'd park a few inches from my cabinets in front of the car, and I won't be able to open them :)


Looks great! Made me think about my Oceanic 125 gallon stand. It's beautiful, but store-bought. One thing, tho, is that the "floor" inside the cabinet has been treated with I don't know HOW many coats of water repellant finish. Good thing, too, since with opening and closing canister filters, and changing water, I'm always getting water on that floor.

Send pictures when you've got fish in it. Congrats!

Thanks, and good to know. I was actually planning on installing some shower liner for that same reason.


Great looking stand. You may hate working with wood, but I see that you know HOW to work with it, and have the tools to do so... Kick butt job!...Bill

Thanks Bill, appreciate the kind words :)

[mwdw]

stand looks great! really like the doors. i know what you mean about working with wood. i helped my dad build one for a friend. worked out great, got paid with DISCUS.

[Second Hand Pat]

Hey Jose, great looking stand and it is built like a brick **** house. Love the doors on the side. Never enough access to the inside of the stand. I also use shower liners in my stands.

[ZX10R]

I had a feeling that is what it was for. My brother has the same thing in his garage for his wife. Not because of cabinets but because he is afraid she will run threw the back wall of the garage because she won't know when to stop.

[jcardona1]

THE STAND IS DONE!!!! I'm so glad to be finished with this stand, it drove me nuts. Now I can focus on the rest of the tank. Hung all 4 doors and added handles on the two front doors.

Thanks for the feedback :)

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=585049&thumb=1&d=1297834359 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=585049&d=1297834359)

[Hsunami]

that is one beautiful tank stand, i very much jealous

[retiredsailor]

for someone who hates working with wood you did a great job.

[Jennie]

does the tank rest on particle board or on the raised frame?

[dean9922]

great job.....looks fantastic.....did you paint or stain this unit????

[jcardona1]

that is one beautiful tank stand, i very much jealous

Thanks!


for someone who hates working with wood you did a great job.

Thanks, I did my best :)


does the tank rest on particle board or on the raised frame?

The tank will sit on the 1/2" plywood. The raised frame is to hide the black plastic trim of the tank.


great job.....looks fantastic.....did you paint or stain this unit????

Thanks! It was just regular latex paint. I would have loved stain, but I've never stained anything before and I think it would have shown too many imperfections. Maybe one day ;)

[dbfzurowski]

Great job mate, it looks awesome. Question regarding the doors, you bought them?

[GODSNAKE73]

really good work . very nice

[Elyse]

Amazing work! =D
Love the side doors!

[Herbicidal]

Just found your 'build' thread. Nicely done! Looking forward to seeing it in person with the tank on it and Discus swimming around.

Secretly, I think he is a custom cabinet builder, but doesn't want the rest of us to know it! :p

[jcardona1]

Great job mate, it looks awesome. Question regarding the doors, you bought them?

Thanks! Nope, made them myself. Used birch plywood panels with whiteboard trim. Not the traditional way of making a cabinet door, but it was the easiest way I could find to make them.


really good work . very nice


Amazing work! =D
Love the side doors!

Thanks folks!


Just found your 'build' thread. Nicely done! Looking forward to seeing it in person with the tank on it and Discus swimming around.

Secretly, I think he is a custom cabinet builder, but doesn't want the rest of us to know it! :p

Thanks Herb, should be any day now - once I tackle this new LED project!

[retiredsailor]

staining is easy... the real trick is sanding the heck out of it with 60, 120 and then 220 grit sandpaper. then after staining put the varnish on and between coats just rub it down with steel wool.

[Sean Buehrle]

looks pretty beefy, good job.

[KEWX]

Great Stand! How much did it cost you to build? How many hours did it take you?

[TrinhLe04]

beautiful stand...

[jcardona1]

Great Stand! How much did it cost you to build? How many hours did it take you?

I'd say I spent about $200 on it. Some of that included a few tools I had to buy, like clamps, etc. Hours spent was quite a bit. Spent a 2-3 hours on it for about a week.

Thanks folks!

[Omar]

VERY NICE! work like a champ