Securing plywood to cinderblocks

[ChrissFishes01]

So I tend to use cinderblock stands for my aquariums. I love the cheapness and utility of these stands - they feel so much sturdier than a store-bought one, and I truly don't have the tools or patience to build one out of 2X4's.

So, I've decided I want to try and make my ghetto stands look less ghetto. What can I use to secure some pieces of plywood to my cinderblocks? I'd prefer it to be removable later - in case I have to take the stand down. I was thinking of velcro strips, but I'm not sure if they'd be strong enough to hold a piece of plywood. Any ideas?

 

[MrBryan723]

Some kind of container on top with at least 80 up to 800 or so pounds of water in it will secure the plywood to the cinderblocks pretty well. Unless you have a horse or lion that stays inside. But if that's the case, I don't see velcro doing much anyways.

 

[ChrissFishes01]

I think you're misunderstanding.

I want to secure some plywood to the sides of the stands. Basically, "wrap" them.

 

[kallililly1973]

Velcro might work with maybe 1/4" plywood anything bigger it may not be able to hold it. If your using a piece of plywood under your tank on the cinders you may be able to get some finish screws and put a couple along the top to hold the pieces in place. Another option for wrapping your stands would be a piece of fabric that way you could probably just use tacks or maybe glue some stronger magnets to your cinders and hold the plywood that way? Just a couple thoughts.

 

[MomeWrath]

Instead of actual plywood you could use 1/8" wall paneling, like beadboard. It's lighter and thinner than plywood and since you don't need the structural aspect you could go crazy with the cheez whiz in terms of aesthetic...barnwood, beadboard, faux stone, shiplap....
That could probably be held up with the heavy duty velcro or you could even try the 3M strips.

 

[LizStreithorst]

What a wonderful idea. I'm planning on making some concrete stands in the near future. Thanks for putting that in my head.

 

[JayAlva]

You can buy magnets and glue them to the concrete and use wood veneers which are thinner sheets of wood to skin the concrete also attached via magnets. This way you can cover completely or then remove if needed.

 

[MomeWrath]

You can buy magnets and glue them to the concrete and use wood veneers which are thinner sheets of wood to skin the concrete also attached via magnets. This way you can cover completely or then remove if needed.

Haha! I could NOT think of the word "veneer" earlier. I was like the thin stuff you put on the backs of cabinets. I was all over Home Depot looking for it lol.

 

[JayAlva]

Haha! I could NOT think of the word "veneer" earlier. I was like the thin stuff you put on the backs of cabinets. I was all over Home Depot looking for it lol.

Haha ya, that stuff comes in all sorts of cool designs and patterns too I'm going to do that for my metal stand.

 

[kallililly1973]

Haha ya, that stuff comes in all sorts of cool designs and patterns too I'm going to do that for my metal stand.

Not to sidetrack the OP thread but with a metal stand those thin tin sheets some people use as back splashes would look really nice. Just a thought

 

[ChrissFishes01]

I honestly think my favorite idea out of all of these is just using a screw to hold them in place. Easy, but effective. I may also just do some fabric - I'm not sure! Just getting ready to rebuild a bunch of stands and upgrade to 125's.

Lots of great ideas in this thread, though!

 

[shrimpyay]

For a modern look, you could measure to the edge of your fish tank and use the plywood to build a 3-sided U-shaped facade to sit around the cinderblocks, and just place it on the ground around/in front of the cinderblocks. Then it'll look like a modern, fancy stand, but actually just be a completely removable facade--just slide it out. You could just use wood glue and some clamps to hold it together, sand it down lightly and throw some stain and water-based poly on it. I recommend Dark Walnut for a nice, dark, classic color.

 

[ChrissFishes01]

For a modern look, you could measure to the edge of your fish tank and use the plywood to build a 3-sided U-shaped facade to sit around the cinderblocks, and just place it on the ground around/in front of the cinderblocks. Then it'll look like a modern, fancy stand, but actually just be a completely removable facade--just slide it out. You could just use wood glue and some clamps to hold it together, sand it down lightly and throw some stain and water-based poly on it. I recommend Dark Walnut for a nice, dark, classic color.

That's actually a fantastic idea - but I'm planning on doing a double stand. A tank on the bottom and on top. I guess I could still do that idea, but with two "L" shaped pieces instead of one "U" shaped one.

 

[shrimpyay]

That's actually a fantastic idea - but I'm planning on doing a double stand. A tank on the bottom and on top. I guess I could still do that idea, but with two "L" shaped pieces instead of one "U" shaped one.

Thanks!
A double-stacked cinderblock stand? I'm gonna have to go look that up, I can't picture how that's done. Unless it's stacked on top of each other with a rack sandwiched between the layers? Sounds pretty cool though. But yeah, I don't see why you couldn't just use multiple pieces to create the facade. And with 2 L's, it should be pretty reasonable to store it for a while if you need to without taking up much space.

 

[ChrissFishes01]

Thanks!
A double-stacked cinderblock stand? I'm gonna have to go look that up, I can't picture how that's done. Unless it's stacked on top of each other with a rack sandwiched between the layers? Sounds pretty cool though. But yeah, I don't see why you couldn't just use multiple pieces to create the facade. And with 2 L's, it should be pretty reasonable to store it for a while if you need to without taking up much space.

Well, you basically nailed it. Two columns of cinderblocks with 2X4's running the length of the aquarium. You do have to leave a bit of room on the sides to fit the extra length of the bottom tank, but I've never had an issue see as the weight of the top tank is still so close to the support of the cinderblocks.

 

[MrBryan723]

Sorry I got ya. You can drill a few holes in the cinderblocks with a hammer drill, then tap those holes with wall anchors and run screws into those pretty well. Cinderblock can be a pain to drill as it tends to crack easily.

 

[shrimpyay]

Well, you basically nailed it. Two columns of cinderblocks with 2X4's running the length of the aquarium. You do have to leave a bit of room on the sides to fit the extra length of the bottom tank, but I've never had an issue see as the weight of the top tank is still so close to the support of the cinderblocks.

Yeah, I can see that working pretty well. In your experience, do the 2x's hold up to the weight of larger aquariums okay? We're about to build a table for a 20gal and are pretty anxious over the weight of it all. (I know that's not a huge tank compared to some of the tanks folks are keeping on here! We're just worrywarts)

Agree with MrBryan723 about trying to drill into cinderblocks. It can be done, but they do tend to crack on you. It's kind of a pain in the butt.

 

[MySquishy]

So I tend to use cinderblock stands for my aquariums. I love the cheapness and utility of these stands - they feel so much sturdier than a store-bought one, and I truly don't have the tools or patience to build one out of 2X4's.

So, I've decided I want to try and make my ghetto stands look less ghetto. What can I use to secure some pieces of plywood to my cinderblocks? I'd prefer it to be removable later - in case I have to take the stand down. I was thinking of velcro strips, but I'm not sure if they'd be strong enough to hold a piece of plywood. Any ideas?

Hot glue would work to attach the plywood to the cinderblocks, and it’d be easy enough to pull off the wood if you decide you don’t want it anymore.

 

[Nobote]

Hot glue would work to attach the plywood to the cinderblocks, and it’d be easy enough to pull off the wood if you decide you don’t want it anymore.

100% silicone.