Will This Tank Stand Hold 20 Gallon Aquarium?

I have a 10 gallon tank on an ikea kallax 2 by 2 right now. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 20 gallon soon and was wondering if it could hold it? I know it's way off the weight limit but still, is there anyways I could maybe add something to support it? I've read that some people use it to keep 20s but I'm very skeptical.

 

personally I would never keep a tank on Ikea furniture. You really need something made of solid wood or metal to support the weight. Remember even a 10 gallon tank is around 100lbs full of water.

 

personally I would never keep a tank on Ikea furniture. You really need something made of solid wood or metal to support the weight. Remember even a 10 gallon tank is around 100lbs full of water.

should I just try to make one out of cement blocks or 2by4s?

 

You could make a pretty solid stand from 2x4s -- lots of plans are out there on the internet for that -- and I'm sure a solid configuration of cinder blocks could hold the weight as well.

Alternately, you could get a simple steel or iron stand -- those are relatively inexpensive and very sturdy.

 

You could make a pretty solid stand from 2x4s -- lots of plans are out there on the internet for that -- and I'm sure a solid configuration of cinder blocks could hold the weight as well.

Alternately, you could get a simple steel or iron stand -- those are relatively inexpensive and very sturdy.

what do they look like? and where can I get these iron stands?

 

what do they look like? and where can I get these iron stands?

They tend to be pretty framey-looking, but some are more decorative than others. Drs. Fosters & Smith carries a few styles, and of course there's Amazon.
- I just got one of these for 2 10g's, it's quite sturdy.
- this one is only for a 20 high, but you get the idea
- Petco sells these also (they own Drs. Foster & Smith anyway).

 

This is the Brooklyn stand. Its got my 29 on top and a 10 underneath.
This I made for my 75 gallon. It only took a weekend, with minimal tools.
The 5 gallon next to it was done the same way except I used 2×4s.

 

This is the Brooklyn stand. Its got my 29 on top and a 10 underneath. View attachment 379322 This I made for my 75 gallon. It only took a weekend, with minimal tools.View attachment 379323 The 5 gallon next to it was done the same way except I used 2×4s.

could I see the inside of the two tanks you made? I don't want to have to ship to Canada and none of my local fish stores or chain pet stores sell stands like those.

 

I built the 2 wooden ones.

nothing much on the inside.
its a microwave stand now I ended up getting a bigger tank.

 

I built the 2 wooden ones.View attachment 379398View attachment 379399nothing much on the inside.View attachment 379400its a microwave stand now I ended up getting a bigger tank.

I don't have the equipment (saws, wood cutters) necessary for cutting pieces, so either they'll have to be pre cut and perfectly sized or I have to buy a stand. What did you use to to cover the holes? Wood planks?

 

I don't have the equipment (saws, wood cutters) necessary for cutting pieces, so either they'll have to be pre cut and perfectly sized or I have to buy a stand. What did you use to to cover the holes? Wood planks?

I just use quarter inch finished plywood. It can be painted or stained. Is there no friend or family member you can barrow tools from? All you need is a hand saw and drill. A 20 gallon stand can be all done in a day for about 60 bucks in material. If you like the look of the open metal stand, the Brooklyn stand is about the same price shipped from petco.

 

LOL..Microwave stand? Blasphemy. That large stand looks like you could hoist a jeep onto it for repairs. Solid.

 

LOL..Microwave stand? Blasphemy. That large stand looks like you could hoist a jeep onto it for repairs. Solid.

Lol. Probably could. I had to use it for something tho.

 

I just use quarter inch finished plywood. It can be painted or stained. Is there no friend or family member you can barrow tools from? All you need is a hand saw and drill. A 20 gallon stand can be all done in a day for about 60 bucks in material. If you like the look of the open metal stand, the Brooklyn stand is about the same price shipped from petco.

I have a drill but no hand saw. Can't I try using precut pieces? Everything would have to be perfect size but I could try.

 

I have a drill but no hand saw. Can't I try using precut pieces? Everything would have to be perfect size but I could try.

If you work out your measurements really well beforehand, you probably can give it a try -- just remember that the guys at Lowes/Home Depot are probably a lot less concerned about precision than you are. That being said, the big saw they use for custom cuts *can* be very precise. If you're going to want a bunch of pieces cut, best to go on a weekday if you can -- it's hard to get service on a weekend.

Alternately, you might be able to rent a circular saw or something, but that probably wouldn't cost much less than buying a cheap one...

 

If you can find a pawn shop you will find a cheap circular or even a chop saw. I got a chop saw for $60 and for that price cut anything I can get under it. Just remember to measure twice and cut once

 

I have a drill but no hand saw. Can't I try using precut pieces? Everything would have to be perfect size but I could try.

You could try, but when you go pick up your wood check there work with a tape measure. Home depot and Lowes are known for messing up.
Here's the plans I drew up for my 75 gallon if it helps. You just have to change the dimensions to fit your tank.

 

You could try, but when you go pick up your wood check there work with a tape measure. Home depot and Lowes are known for messing up. View attachment 379660 Here's the plans I drew up for my 75 gallon if it helps. You just have to change the dimensions to fit your tank.

hm thanks. Did you make the stand match the exact measurements of the tank or did you make it a bit smaller? So if my tank is 30 inches long do I make it 30 inches? or a bit smaller and let the plywood hold the rest? Also how did you put the middle piece that goes up? I don't see screws.

 

hm thanks. Did you make the stand match the exact measurements of the tank or did you make it a bit smaller? So if my tank is 30 inches long do I make it 30 inches? or a bit smaller and let the plywood hold the rest? Also how did you put the middle piece that goes up? I don't see screws.

I actually went a quarter inch larger on every side so the 2×6s held all the weight. You could just gigabyte center support but I used a bracket on the inside.
On a tank that size (20,30 gallon) a center support is not necessary.

 

I actually went a quarter inch larger on every side so the 2×6s held all the weight. You could just gigabyte center support but I used a bracket on the inside.View attachment 379738 On a tank that size (20,30 gallon) a center support is not necessary.

so I don't need anything in the centre? And do you know where I can find dimensions of wood? I need to know the height of each piece. I don't really need cabinets so if just covered all 4 sides in plywood or birchwood would I have to stain or prime that? I'm confused on how this works.

 

Give me the length an with of your tank and I'll draw you up some plans, with the length of every piece of wood you'll need.

 

Give me the length an with of your tank and I'll draw you up some plans, with the length of every piece of wood you'll need.

This is what I have so far. I just don't know how tall to make it or how tall the the horizontal pieces are so I don't know how tall the supporting pieces that get wedged in will be. The x's at the bottom are for nails. And Itll be a 20 long or 29. I haven't decided.

 

Hey Mate, not sure if I'm too late to reply to your query, but if you want to modify your kallax, I know if can be done because I did it myself. I'll post a pic. I also made a stand from scratch a couple weeks ago, so you can check that out too.

KALLAX MO

IMG_0869

• MRP
• Aug 23, 2017

Stand begins

IMG_0871

• MRP
• Aug 23, 2017

Stand nearly done

DIY STAN

20171114_123430

• MRP
• Nov 14, 2017
• 8

Tigerwood tank stand

 

This is what I have so far. I just don't know how tall to make it or how tall the the horizontal pieces are so I don't know how tall the supporting pieces that get wedged in will be. The x's at the bottom are for nails. And Itll be a 20 long or 29. I haven't decided.

My advice ,go no taller then 30 inches, or it will be too top heavy. Good job on the plans by the way.

 

Hey Mate, not sure if I'm too late to reply to your query, but if you want to modify your kallax, I know if can be done because I did it myself. I'll post a pic. I also made a stand from scratch a couple weeks ago, so you can check that out too.

KALLAX MO

IMG_0869

• MRP
• Aug 23, 2017

Stand begins

IMG_0871

• MRP
• Aug 23, 2017

Stand nearly done

DIY STAN

20171114_123430

• MRP
• Nov 14, 2017
• 8

Tigerwood tank stand

Did you just screw in planks on top and in the sides? And do you know how much it can hold now?

My advice ,go no taller then 30 inches, or it will be too top heavy. Good job on the plans by the way.

Thanks for all your help. I think its doable.

 

Did you just screw in planks on top and in the sides? And do you know how much it can hold now?


Thanks for all your help. I think its doable.

I just did a variation of this:

https://www.younghouselove.com/changing-tables-and-our-minds/

I used some big L brackets because I actually had them lying around. Mine has had a 20 gallon long for 4 or 5 months now l, no issues of any kind.

 

I just did a variation of this:

https://www.younghouselove.com/changing-tables-and-our-minds/

I used some big L brackets because I actually had them lying around. Mine has had a 20 gallon long for 4 or 5 months now l, no issues of any kind.

if I did this I would have to find really perfect pieces as I can't make it bigger or smaller. Did you just put 3 on the bottom 3 on top and 3 on each side? How did you secure them? Screws plus the L brackets? Would I have to stain, pre stain and seal the wood?

 

If you aren't able to cut the wood yourself, you could try getting home depot to cut it to your specs. The side panels are attached with wood glue. Top and sides connected with the L's. I stained it to match my bedroom furniture. If your concern is budget or convenience, I suppose you could just put an impermeable barrier like a mat or something on top.

 

If you aren't able to cut the wood yourself, you could try getting home depot to cut it to your specs. The side panels are attached with wood glue. Top and sides connected with the L's. I stained it to match my bedroom furniture. If your concern is budget or convenience, I suppose you could just put an impermeable barrier like a mat or something on top.

Do you reckon that it could hold a 29 gallon? I'm upsizing.