Tank Stand - My First EVER DIY Project!

Hello all!

I just wanted to share my first ever DIY project with you all! And I really mean first ever... Before this week I had never even picked up a drill, let alone used one! lol.

I did have a tiny bit of help, in that the builders' merchant cut the wood to size for me, as I drive a minI and there is no way I was getting an 8ft piece of 2X4 carcasing or an 8x4 sheet of plywood into the back of it lol.

Anyhoo, if I can do it anyone can! Here's some pics

The 2X4:



The frame:



A quick check that everyhing fits - which reminds me, I still haven't emptied all the old stuff out of that tank, yet!



Starting to come together, just a couple more coats of paint and some edging to go:





Done! (please excuse the mess, the house looked like a bombsite by the time I had finished!! lol. All cleaned up now, thankfully!



Mikey

 

Looks great. Stand looks strong enough to hold a 200 gallon tank. Aren't 2x4's cheap and great to build with,

 

That's a nice frame! what size of tank is it?

 

well color me impressed! I like it a lot! did you keep track of what materials you used? That might be a good project for me in the future! The store stands are nice, but I'm encountering problems with the kit one that I bought.

 

That's a nice frame! what size of tank is it?

Duh...29 gallons. Man I need to go home

 

I have to say that is a great job for someone who isn't familiar with tools. Very impressive!

I'm actually in the process of smooth sanding and applying final coat of high gloss white paint today on my tank stand. I don't have my power tools on me so I had to hand cut every piece with a hand saw lol.

 

Duh...29 gallons. Man I need to go home

Haha, yes, a 29 gallon tank. It is probably strong enough to hold a much heavier tank, though.

Kevymd, the frame was the most complicated part, as I wasn't entirely sure of the exact measurements of 2X4. I know, sounds simple, right? Surely a length of 2X4 is (length)x2"x4", but no. lol.

Troyvsc, yes, 2x4 is very versatile. I think now I have done it once I may find myself wanting to build allsorts! Haha.

Macca, OUCH! lol. I don't know that I would be patient enough (or indeed have the strength) to do it all by hand!

 

Macca, OUCH! lol. I don't know that I would be patient enough (or indeed have the strength) to do it all by hand!

lol. I started it and then thought...why am I doing this? But it's my dad's fist fish tank so I wanted to make it for him for fathers day tomorrow.

 

Oh wow, what a lovely thoughtful thing to do for father's day!

 

You keep confusing me with the father's day stuff its in June here in the us. But great gift for your dad.

 

You keep confusing me with the father's day stuff its in June here in the us. But great gift for your dad.

lol, same here in the UK. I was a little worried for a minute.

 

haha sorry guys. I should have said. "in Australia".

 

REALLY? First time ever? GREAT job!!!! I wish I could get myself to even attempt a project like that......

 

Wow great job for the first time!

 

Great job....

If you intend to use a canister filter and want to have the pipes on the side of the tank, I would recommend cutting slits on the side the stand side wall to make a nice seamless flow.

Follow this link and fast forward to minute 2:06 - 2:40 and it will show you slits on the side for the pipes.

 

Imo no real need to cut slits in the side of the stand. My intake and outtake are on opposite sides but come up the back. The diy spray bar does go across the side but there is no reason why the tubing has to.

 

Great job....

If you intend to use a canister filter and want to have the pipes on the side of the tank, I would recommend cutting slits on the side the stand side wall to make a nice seamless flow.

Follow this link and fast forward to minute 2:06 - 2:40 and it will show you slits on the side for the pipes.

Looks really nice actually. I'd use a router to cut that though.

 

Great job! How did you learn to do it?