Cinder Block Stand Questions + Reinforcing Cabinet? - Page 2
Sorg67
I am going to try a similar design. This was very helpful.
Is there enough room to get to the top of the 10 gallon tank for easy maintenance?
I am considering this for a 29 and a 20. They are currently side by side. Maybe I will even line up the 29, 20 and two 10s all next to each other.
I am wondering if it is better to make separate stands or one long stand. If I do one long stand, I wonder if three stacks of blocks is enough. the 29 and 20 are each 30 inches. Maybe a foot between them. 72 inches total.
If two separate stands, I am thinking that for 29 or 20 I do not need the middle support.
Also considering 2x4s along the floor so the cinder blocks are not sitting directly on the floor.
I like the dark stain you used. I think I will paint the blocks. Maybe black.
Is there enough room to get to the top of the 10 gallon tank for easy maintenance?
I am considering this for a 29 and a 20. They are currently side by side. Maybe I will even line up the 29, 20 and two 10s all next to each other.
I am wondering if it is better to make separate stands or one long stand. If I do one long stand, I wonder if three stacks of blocks is enough. the 29 and 20 are each 30 inches. Maybe a foot between them. 72 inches total.
If two separate stands, I am thinking that for 29 or 20 I do not need the middle support.
Also considering 2x4s along the floor so the cinder blocks are not sitting directly on the floor.
I like the dark stain you used. I think I will paint the blocks. Maybe black.
kallililly1973
That’s the same stands I did for my 20 long and 29 but I went with 4 blocks on each side just give some room underneath for a canister and I painted my cinderblocks with a roller. I also have my 10 on a stack of 4 cinders with 3/4’ plywood like pedestal stand.
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Sorg67
Very helpful. Thanks kallililly1973 .
My fish room floor is carpeted. I am considering putting 2 x 4s along the floor for the blocks to sit on.
I do not have a canister, but I am considering some shelving. Perhaps a shelf between each block. Probably not though. I like the way you have the 29 set up. I might space the blocks far enough apart so I could fit a 10 in there. Maybe for a QT tank. Or experimental tank. Or perhaps I will switch out the HOBs for a canister at some point. Lots of flexibility.
I like the single stack for the 10. Looks precarious, but I suspect it is actually very stable. I was thinking perhaps a three stack stand that would support two 10s side by side.
My fish room floor is carpeted. I am considering putting 2 x 4s along the floor for the blocks to sit on.
I do not have a canister, but I am considering some shelving. Perhaps a shelf between each block. Probably not though. I like the way you have the 29 set up. I might space the blocks far enough apart so I could fit a 10 in there. Maybe for a QT tank. Or experimental tank. Or perhaps I will switch out the HOBs for a canister at some point. Lots of flexibility.
I like the single stack for the 10. Looks precarious, but I suspect it is actually very stable. I was thinking perhaps a three stack stand that would support two 10s side by side.
kallililly1973
Sorg67 yes I like that I did one cinder then the plywood then the other three cinders as a shelf for both the 20 and 29...the 10 is only a bit wider all around compared to the cinders i think they were 8x8x16.. I just made the plywood overhang to have a little shelf around it also I put it on 2 granite tiles and when u think about it even being a 10 it still weighs around 100 pounds when full so I feel it’s very stable even with my 66# dog running around near it
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FinalFins
I was wondering how stable the cinder block stands are? I've seen people create fishrooms with these kinds of stands and I would assume once it reaches a certain height it has the danger of toppling down?
kallililly1973
But I think when they design them they are also using 2x8 or 2x10 boards which should make them much more stable than you would think. Just my assumption and even if it had 4-5 10-20 gallon tanks stacked on top of each other that’s some serious weight so I think it would take a car coming through the wall to take it down.
Sorg67
I live in Florida. The way people drive here, a car coming through the wall is a distinct possibility.....
RedOnion
Hello,
So i want to save some space in my room and want to make this fish tank stand, I have previously tried making one by 2x4s but, wowie did I screw that up.
Anyways I made a really bad drawing of how I want it to look like and was wondering if this would be stable enough? Maybe in the future I would get another 5g and put it on the top as well but for now just a 5g and a 10g
So i want to save some space in my room and want to make this fish tank stand, I have previously tried making one by 2x4s but, wowie did I screw that up.
Anyways I made a really bad drawing of how I want it to look like and was wondering if this would be stable enough? Maybe in the future I would get another 5g and put it on the top as well but for now just a 5g and a 10g
MrBryan723
Easily. I've done a 65g on cinderblocks so 10-20 is cake.
RonP
With 3/4 inch cross boards...no problem.
RedOnion
I was planning on getting 2x10x8 would that work too, or overkill?
RonP
Yes, just fine.
RedOnion
Great! Is it possible I could make it a bit taller? One more block?
RonP
If you ever move to bigger tank, depth at 10" could be an issue.
RedOnion
I was planning on putting 2 next to each other so 20 total or get 2x6 and put three so it would 18 depth
RonP
Gotcha...sounds good.
RedOnion
Could I still make it one block taller or would that get wobbly?
RonP
Not sure of your cinder block heights.
I went 3 high for a 55 with no problem
I went 3 high for a 55 with no problem
RedOnion
They are 8 in high, I only say this because I would like to have a bit more room for my 10g instead of 4 inches only
RonP
I think, based on my experience it would be ok...be sure you get it well levelled.
RedOnion
Will do, thank you so much!
RonP
Let me know how it goes.....GL.
RedOnion
Thanks, ill probably upload pics on here once I get the chance to do it!
kallililly1973
We have 3 tanks on seperate cinderblock stands a 10 a 20 and a 29 and on top of the stands i just used 3/4 plywood. Super solid stands. The 10 is on one stack of 4 8x8x16 with an oversized cut piece of plywood ( i cut them all oversized just for a little extra storage. And the 20 and 29 are on 2 stacks of 4 high on each side with an extra piece of 3/4" on top of the 1st cinders for a shelf for the canister filters. If you want a couple pics as to how their done i'll send them. IMO best stands u can make for any size tank.
RedOnion
I plan on making them 4 high for more storage space for my 10g at the bottom, looks like I don't actually need 2x4/6/10 for the tops but I will probably still get it. I would love to see how they look like!
kallililly1973
I would personally stick with just a 4x8 sheet of plywood two by whatever size boards are a lot of times bowed and curved and everything else. The plywood is beyond more support than u need and that way you can cut to size the pieces as you go ( future projects/more tanks ) or just bring the measurements u want to the store and have them cut it for u. I'll add pics from my phone in just a minute! And if u want you can always cover the fronts and sides with a piece of fabric and a couple tacks so it covers the blocs or paint them and leave them exposed.
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RedOnion
Would a 2x10 work if I just put 2 planks? The plywood at my local hardware store sells them so big, I wouldn't know what to do with the excess pieces of wood personally.
FishBoy101
You are Picasso in disguiseHello,
So i want to save some space in my room and want to make this fish tank stand, I have previously tried making one by 2x4s but, wowie did I screw that up.
Anyways I made a really bad drawing of how I want it to look like and was wondering if this would be stable enough? Maybe in the future I would get another 5g and put it on the top as well but for now just a 5g and a 10g
RonP
Some hardwares will cut to your specs.
RedOnion
How'd you know?
kallililly1973
just take the measurements and call them and see if they can cut u the sizes you need. I'm just partial to plywood i guess but the boards will also work i'm sure.
RedOnion
Ill do that, still figuring out exact measurements for now, so ill have to see
RedOnion
just noticed the pics now, they look pretty good for just concrete and wood, also love your tanks!
RedOnion
Update here is a more finalized plan that looks a bit better lol
Edit: Fish size is so inaccurate excuse my digital drawing
Edit: Fish size is so inaccurate excuse my digital drawing
JayAlva
Hey there everyone so I've built a cinderblock stand for my bow front and since it's cheap I'd rather go this route with a new 75 gallon I purchased. My question is for my bow front which is 26 gallon I believe I was fine just leveling and putting the bricks on the edges, for a 75 gallon do I need to also put a stack of bricks in the center? I'm planning on laying a piece of 3/4 plywood ontop of the cinder blocks and then a piece of foam on top of the wood. My only question concern is about the middle of the stand needing the cinderblocks or not I'd rather have that part open if it's possible. Advice would be appreciated.
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Pridedcloth3
I love the idea is simple and effective. But to answer your question. I'd go all the way across with a 75 just to be safe. I mean if there were only say a foot gap I might say don't worry about it but anymore and you're entering a different world. But cinder blocks is ingenious i mean i held up a ram 1500 on one side with some because I only had one jack so they're plenty tough.
Leeman75
It looks nice and it's making me second-guess a stand that I was going to build out of wood. I second the advice with a 75 of having the extra support there on that long of a tank.
Out of curiosity, what did you use to paint the cinder blocks?
Out of curiosity, what did you use to paint the cinder blocks?
Pridedcloth3
Exactly I wanna know because that is nice.
JayAlva
I used a black acrylic paint (I believe valspar was the brand) from Lowe's I just used up all the quart i got I think it was like 4 or 5 coats I just used a brush to paint. I also painted the plywood. I really liked how it came out too it filled all the texture holes of the cinderblocks. The fluval 207 just barely fit in the gap.
But yeah I guess I'll have to add a center pillar of cinderblocks to be safe.
But yeah I guess I'll have to add a center pillar of cinderblocks to be safe.
Utar
If you don't want to do cinder blocks in the middle then lay a couple of 2x4's across and then lay the plywood on top of this. I wouldn't use the foam this will cause you more problems then good. The plywood is fine all by itself to set the tank on, that is unless there is problems or something wrong with the plywood.
My 55 gallon which is the same length as your 75 gallon is setting on painted 3/4" marine plywood.
My 55 gallon which is the same length as your 75 gallon is setting on painted 3/4" marine plywood.
Pridedcloth3
I never would've though 2×4 would work. But I get nervous at times and would've broke the bank on 4×4. But apparently they work nice setup.If you don't want to do cinder blocks in the middle then lay a couple of 2x4's across and then lay the plywood on top of this. I wouldn't use the foam this will cause you more problems then good. The plywood is fine all by itself to set the tank on, that is unless there is problems or something wrong with the plywood.
My 55 gallon which is the same length as your 75 gallon is setting on painted 3/4" marine plywood.
JayAlva
Oh wow I definitely will go the 2x4 route. With the plywood. I like the cinderblocks sturdiness but on the smaller tank it's hard to work around because of the tight spaces.If you don't want to do cinder blocks in the middle then lay a couple of 2x4's across and then lay the plywood on top of this. I wouldn't use the foam this will cause you more problems then good. The plywood is fine all by itself to set the tank on, that is unless there is problems or something wrong with the plywood.
My 55 gallon which is the same length as your 75 gallon is setting on painted 3/4" marine plywood.
JayAlva
Going to be getting supplies tomorrow I'll picture the progress
ghostdawg
We were discussing making a stand out of cinder blocks back in June. @kallililly1973 showed me one he had made using plywood. I already had the stand but the plywood idea was great and I'm using it on my 20g long. I didn't think about painting the wood. It would have looked better!
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...208a-276a-4aad-8c1d-94a36d66a6bd-jpeg.705498/
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...208a-276a-4aad-8c1d-94a36d66a6bd-jpeg.705498/
JayAlva
Nice I like the way it came out with the shelf. I think I'm only going to go 3 blocks high on the other I went 3 high plus the cap pieces and wood and feel like that's perfect viewing for me. So 3 blocks high plus 2x4 and plywood should be perfect I'll still buy extra in case.
Utar
Youtube vid on building a 75 gallon stand.
JayAlva
Didn't get a chance to get to Lowe's but decided to get 4ftx2ft plywood and 3 of each of these on the side since it'll make 24"this way I don't need to cut anything the 6, 2x4s will also not need to be cut but just once in half since they come in 8ft length. Will be posting more as I go hopefully it turns out good.
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Nickguy5467
id thought about this myself. i mean if the tank can bow forward, i can possibly bow downward? i mean im picturing the tank just braking in the bottom center like a large dump and then you are screwed
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