Hi All
I am looking at making a fish tank stand and hood for a new aquarium I am
about to purchase. I want it to be about 3-4 feet and this is kinda what I
am after:
1. open stand at the bottom with a simple shelf
2. a hood with a small opening at the back (I have a cat so this is a
requirement)
3. a kind've setup so the tank sits in a wooden enclosure (but can see into
tank from all sides).....hard to describe....kinda like there is wood up the
right angle bits (up the side edges)
I know there have been numerous posts about this but was wondering if
anybody had a plan/pattern to match (not necc identical but similar) to what
I have described.
Also, what kind of timber would be suitable (I was thinking pine).
I have done google searches and found plenty of plans for stands....but
without the wood up the side angles.
If anybody has any patterns/plans or suggestions they would be greatyl
appreciated
TIA
Angela
"Gizela" <angela.ryan@'remove'studentmail.newcastle.edu.au> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi All
>
> I am looking at making a fish tank stand and hood for a new aquarium I am
> about to purchase. I want it to be about 3-4 feet and this is kinda what I
> am after:
>
> 1. open stand at the bottom with a simple shelf
> 2. a hood with a small opening at the back (I have a cat so this is a
> requirement)
> 3. a kind've setup so the tank sits in a wooden enclosure (but can see
into
> tank from all sides).....hard to describe....kinda like there is wood up
the
> right angle bits (up the side edges)
>
> I know there have been numerous posts about this but was wondering if
> anybody had a plan/pattern to match (not necc identical but similar) to
what
> I have described.
>
> Also, what kind of timber would be suitable (I was thinking pine).
>
> I have done google searches and found plenty of plans for stands....but
> without the wood up the side angles.
>
> If anybody has any patterns/plans or suggestions they would be greatyl
> appreciated
>
> TIA
>
> Angela
>
Sounds like you're going with a 55 or 75 gallon? No plans but a few hints.
If you're going to put his on a wood joist floor system, either locate the
legs right on the joists or (if they don't land that way) use an "apron" on
the bottom to distribute the weight. If it's going to be on concrete, don't
worry abotu it.
The risers on the side aren't necessary for supporting the hood. The hood
just sits on top of the tank and the glass/plexi will support it. If you
like the look, just get some outside corner molding and cut it so it fits
via friction after you have the tank on the stand and the hood on the tank.
You might reconsidert the idea of the open stand. It's nice to have a
couple of doors to hide the nets, food, extra filter pads, etc.
On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 11:15:51 GMT, "PM6564"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Gizela" <angela.ryan@'remove'studentmail.newcastle.edu.au> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hi All
>>
>> I am looking at making a fish tank stand and hood for a new aquarium I am
>> about to purchase. I want it to be about 3-4 feet and this is kinda what I
>> am after:
>>
>> 1. open stand at the bottom with a simple shelf
>> 2. a hood with a small opening at the back (I have a cat so this is a
>> requirement)
>> 3. a kind've setup so the tank sits in a wooden enclosure (but can see
>into
>> tank from all sides).....hard to describe....kinda like there is wood up
>the
>> right angle bits (up the side edges)
>>
>> I know there have been numerous posts about this but was wondering if
>> anybody had a plan/pattern to match (not necc identical but similar) to
>what
>> I have described.
>>
>> Also, what kind of timber would be suitable (I was thinking pine).
>>
>> I have done google searches and found plenty of plans for stands....but
>> without the wood up the side angles.
>>
>> If anybody has any patterns/plans or suggestions they would be greatyl
>> appreciated
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Angela
>>
>
>
>Sounds like you're going with a 55 or 75 gallon? No plans but a few hints.
>
>If you're going to put his on a wood joist floor system, either locate the
>legs right on the joists or (if they don't land that way) use an "apron" on
>the bottom to distribute the weight. If it's going to be on concrete, don't
>worry abotu it.
>
>The risers on the side aren't necessary for supporting the hood. The hood
>just sits on top of the tank and the glass/plexi will support it. If you
>like the look, just get some outside corner molding and cut it so it fits
>via friction after you have the tank on the stand and the hood on the tank.
>
>You might reconsidert the idea of the open stand. It's nice to have a
>couple of doors to hide the nets, food, extra filter pads, etc.
>
I built one for my son about 15 years ago and made it out of 2x6
redwood frame and 1x4 glued up panels and doors it has been moved
several time and no problems It holds a 55 gal tank
Any wood will do. Most finishes are very toxic to fish until they
cure. To be absolutely safe, allow the finish to cure in an airy
locations for several weeks. I'd prefer an enclosure for net, food,
syphen hoses, algae scraper, bucket and other supplies. I think hoods
can make a tank look top-heavy, especially if they are dark in color.
Select wood/finish that looks well with other furniture and furnishing
in the room. I have seen stands with support only on the perimeter.
Make a few visits to aquarium stores and websites to get ideas for
construction and styles.
The inexpensive stands in the aquarium shops are typically pine.
Occasionally I see maple (even birdseye) and oak stands from companies like
Oceanic. Then there are the non-mass produced "custom" stands in any
material your heart desires. Pine seems to be fine from a structural
standpoint, and plans really shouldn't be necessary. Aquarium stands
require only very basic cabinet construction technique. The beauty in
making your own should be in the freedom of making something unique that you
DON'T see in the shops - something that looks more like a piece of furniture
than a just a fish tank stand. :-)
Brian.
"Gizela" <angela.ryan@'remove'studentmail.newcastle.edu.au> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi All
>
> I am looking at making a fish tank stand and hood for a new aquarium I am
> about to purchase. I want it to be about 3-4 feet and this is kinda what I
> am after:
>
> 1. open stand at the bottom with a simple shelf
> 2. a hood with a small opening at the back (I have a cat so this is a
> requirement)
> 3. a kind've setup so the tank sits in a wooden enclosure (but can see
into
> tank from all sides).....hard to describe....kinda like there is wood up
the
> right angle bits (up the side edges)
>
> I know there have been numerous posts about this but was wondering if
> anybody had a plan/pattern to match (not necc identical but similar) to
what
> I have described.
>
> Also, what kind of timber would be suitable (I was thinking pine).
>
> I have done google searches and found plenty of plans for stands....but
> without the wood up the side angles.
>
> If anybody has any patterns/plans or suggestions they would be greatyl
> appreciated
>
> TIA
>
> Angela
>
>
>