AusBloke

Built this one about a year ago for my first attempt at a tropical fish tank.

I am now in love with all things aquarium, and will be starting a Salt water setup later this year.

Anyway heres the pics.


Basic Frame Built


Side View


Joins and mitres


Reinforcing


Hood Closed


Hood Open


Ply Bases put in


All set up


Stained


With Fish

Cheers.

Lifesabeach

Job well done! Looks very professional - the design of the hood is impressive. Did you come up with the design yourself, or follow an existing?

AusBloke

Designed it all myself... Carpenter by trade

Lifesabeach

I thought so...good job

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore.
Great stand! Want to come live with me for a while? I could use a few of those. lol

Edit: Is there a way for you to post what lumber, hardware ect was used?
It would be of great help to those interested in building their own.

pepetj

Beautiful. I tip my hat to you!

Nice and simple design. Great termination.

One question though: Aren't you placing at least a 20gal in the lower level?

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Lifesabeach

Careful...They're all coming out of the woodwork - enablers of the worst kind!

AusBloke

Timber etc used was as follows:

Base Frame:-

Legs and brace - 90mmx45mm (4"x2") framing pine (radiata) (Try to get smooth pine not laser cut)

Base and floor support - 90mm (4") Rebated Finger Jointed Door Jamb (the rebate allows the ply and tank to sit inside it, making much neater and more attractive as you don't see the foam base etc)

Floor and Tank Base - 12mm Ply

I used basic Chipboard screws to screw it all together, various lengths for different parts. (Just remember to counter sink all screws so that screw heads are below surface of timber for putty filling.)

Hood:-

Outer frame - 90mm (4") Rebated Fingerjointed Door Jamb (allows hood to sit over top over tank neatly because of the rebate)

Lid and sides etc - 190mmx18mm (7.5"x1") Radiata Pine (Clear). (I had to rip some of this down to fit different areas)

Hinge - Brass Piano Hinge

and a standard pine cupboard handle.

Its not a very difficult stand as it has not doors etc, but if you build one just make sure you get it all level and square so it doesn't rock.
The lid would be the trickiest part and needs some fore planning to get the size perfect and allow for hoses and cords etc to be hung over back of tank.

If anyone wants a base plan drawn for their tank, post you tank size here and I will give you a hand.

AusBloke

Lower level was going to be for a sump, as I was originally gunna start with SW.

Now my kids want a smaller FW tank in the base, but I am still deciding what setup I want there.

RussG

Great job! I really like the canopy.

Slug

Thats very very close to the design i used on 2 of mine, except i left out the little lip around the top edge....but thats a very good idea lol. Looks great.

AmongthePuffers

wow, it looks professional! good job.

aquarist48

You have a great talent there Aus! Wonderful job.
When you go to make my canopy for my new tank.......
Thanks for sharing.