#133

Proceed at your own risk, I'm not a structural engineer and claim no responsibility for your own stands!
The total cost per stand comes out to just about $25 at a home improvement store.
The materials you are going to need for this project include:
• FIVE 2x4s x8ft long (per stand)
• 5 lb of 2.5" decking screws (which will build 4 or 5 stands)
• 4ftx8ft x ¾" polystyrene (which will build 5 stands)
The lumber cuts are as follows:
Top and Bottom Frames:
4x: 3'-3/16"
5x: 1'-3-1/4"
Long Legs: 4x: 2'-6"
Load Bearing Legs: 4x: Approx. 1'11" (measure each and cut a hair long for a snug fit)
Side Handles: 2x: 1'-6-1/4"
Here is a link to the sketchup file: gregjonesonline...
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[@robotzombie3546]

These glass aquariums are designed to have weight supported by the edges. Adding padding such as foam puts the weight on the glass bottom and leads to leaks. Acrylic tanks can use it. Instead of foam I used 3 layers of plywood to "self level" and the weight was on the edges as intended.

[@UnderPresser]

Three layers of plywood? And I don't see how anything but the edges of the tank rest on the polystyrene anyway. The tank would have to be pressed pretty far down on to that styrene before the bottom of the tank would touch it.

[@michaeljones1486]

Nice build. Have seen dozens like this on youtube and this is the method I plan to use when I build mine. I must caution, however, about using styrofoam under a glass tank. The bottom rim will sink into the styrofoam leaving the middle of the styrofoam sitting high and pressing into the glass bottom. The glass bottom is not meant to withstand this kind of pressure from below. It leads to weak seals and will eventually leak. You're better off attaching a flat sheet of plywood to the top of your stand and using a thinner piece (1/4" or so) sheet of rubber to set the aquarium on. Styrofoam CAN and should be used under acrylic tanks. They're usually one-piece and the bottoms are meant to sit flat on whatever you're setting them on. Styrofoam under a glass, bottom-rimmed tank will lead to problems.

[@ginamathews2338]

you are 100 percent right on that! the styrofoam will not counter an unleveled ground it will actually make it lean more.

[@Waiting4RealLife]

Agreed! For decades, I have always only supported area from the end and in about 4" of my tanks, including a 150 gallon saltwater tank. Never had a problem, ever

[@ABM261-zi2gl]

Waiting4RealLife I want to this for my 40 gallon tank. What wood should I use because he doesn’t say?

[@Jje24goblue]

@@ABM261-zi2gl Kiln Dried Framing 2x4s

[@ABM261-zi2gl]

Jeff Edge Thank you

[@thecrazylineman68]

7 years later and 2x4s are 60% more expensive at $4.20/stick

[@chuckwalla325]

Tell me about it. I just bought 6 of them

[@aidanb7782]

and now we miss the days of 2x4s being under $5

[@luisnaranjo2233]

Today March 28 2022 2x4x8 price is 8.25 at Home Depot Dang

[@thecrazylineman68]

@@luisnaranjo2233 :(

[@reefer9224]

Build Back Better 😀

[@datfishkid2363]

I just have to say, my dad and I made one of these for our new 40 gallon reef because we had all of the supplies. It ended up working awesome for us, and there was no hassle at all. Great idea, and thanks for the free stand man! :)

[@dwsonye]

Just an update, this stand worked perfect. Thanks for the diy project. .

[@DconGamingXbox360]

We built 2 of them. One for the 40 and one for a 20 and they both work and look great! Thank you for the video!

[@marscarter7305]

Thank You, I followed your instructions had Home Depot cut the lumber to size, the lumber was a bit expensive in FL but still made out better then buying a pre made stand. took less then a half hour to put together :)

[@lifeactionaquatics3501]

Thanks for the video Greg. I am building this right now. just picked up a 40g breeder at a dollar per gallon sale. I looked all over for an easy stand to build. and yours is very simple and you had the dimensions added in. I think I'm going to add to it a bit and make it more that just the frame. I will throw a video up once I get to wrapping it in some nice ply wood and staining it. thanks again.

[@gregjonesonline]

looking forward to it!

[@angelahentschel4642]

Very helpful video. Just finished building and painting mine. I added plywood panels to the top and bottom for added support and shelving. Going to use the polystyrene foam as well so the tank will self-level (that was a very helpful tip that I never knew about before). Can't wait for the paint to dry so I can finish setting everything up. :)

[@gregjonesonline]

+Angela Hentschel glad it helped!

[@vexellent]

thanks for posting this! i love that you used sketchup to design it first, i'm gonna do the same thing! ive used it mostly to design complex environments for illustrations in the past so this will be much simpler! im glad i found a video for the exact type of thank i'm getting, thank you for answering all the technical questions!

[@redrocket630]

Hey Greg. I just wanted to give you a big thanks. This video helped me out a ton. Just finished building my stand! :)

[@gregjonesonline]

glad I could help!

[@ozzcows]

Cool thanks man I just built one today after I got a 40 gallon breeder at petco's dollar per gallon sale. Everything worked out great, I barely had any wood left though. I siphoned about 30 gallons from my 55 into it so I could move it so that all my tanks fit evenly along one wall, and it held no problem. Just a note, I cut the longest pieces first to make sure I had enough wood, it was cutting it a little close so if you don't do that you might have to get an extra piece of 2x4.

[@contagiouz989]

I am not sure if i said thank you before. But Thank you so much for this. I used this to build 2 stand so far, first one was unpainted but second one i painted before i put it together. Great video and good job on providing the dimensions.

[@gsxr4lyfe87]

Greg thank you so much for the quick response! and A A+ on the video

[@jess60901]

What a well thought out, articulate, creative and motivating instruction video. Thank you.

[@CocaCoveyClassic]

nice stand. I like the foam leveling. Good to note that if you get your wood at Lowes or Home Depot go in there with your plans and most likely they will cut your wood for free. Its a good way to get the same cut for your legs since they stack the boards.

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

I love this build. I designed my stand with 4x4 supports which increased the strength and made a cleaner look over all

[@PsychoFisho]

Very good construction concepts! Another method is instead of doubling up on 2x4's for the legs, is to use 4x4, and for the top frame, use 45 deg cuts like a picture frame, to sit on top of the 4x4. Bottom frame would be identical. No need for the full coverage foam sheet, except for acrylic tanks. For glass tanks, its best to support them only at the corners. So, a 2"x2" piece of foam at each corner is better than a full length on any or all sides. This is how institutional aquariums are designed, and the larger the glass aquarium, the less contact support there would be, just a 1" round rubber or plastic footing at each corner.

[@Reaper_609]

I made the same . But I actually expanded so the tank sits inside and dropped the supports down 1 inch so the tank is recessed and hits the black tank frame and prevents it from sliding off ever if the doggs bumps. 140 MLB American Bulldog is a klutz lol

[@jdofishtank6018]

I think it would have been cool to install the side brace pieces on the inside, then you could have put a flat piece of wood and made a shelf, it that makes sense. Thanks for the video I plan on making a stand just like this!

[@pucho513]

JDO Fishtank do you know the measurements

[@austinmccarthy9572]

Exactly what I was thinking!!

[@RyansAquarium]

Gonna build this stand tomorrow, thanks for the guide!

[@jasonlumactod339]

Great vid! Was struggling to find a stand for my tank, now it looks I'll be building my own.

[@ldballoon4]

no filler, to the point. thank you.

[@gregjonesonline]

thanks! i considered 4x4s, but wanted to keep all of my cuts as simple as possible

[@ginamathews2338]

nice job but if you're adding styrofoam to counter an unleveled floor you will make it worse, you're basically giving your tank a suspension (kind of like on a car). When you're parked in your driveway the car leans towards the lower end of the driveway making it more uneven and the styrofoam will do the same it will make your tank lean even more to which ever side is lower and there will almost always be a slightly lower side. You should lose the styrofoam and since the tank only rests on it's perimeter and sometimes middle cross-section if it has one you don't need anything else there but you can always use 1/2" plywood if need be. Trust me please and save yourselves headaches your tanks will eventually leak wether being one year or five years at max but it's doomed with anything less than a solid surface under it.

[@TheVietKhang]

Nicely done.

[@aaronayers1228]

Hey man thanks a lot for this! Made one for my 20 long using this vid as a guide. Turned out great and my shrimp love it! Liked and subbed!

[@k.a.c613]

awesome thanks a lot Greg , I may have a go at it , condo living makes it tough though,lol

[@wildbill9919]

Looks good. I'm thinking of building a stand like that but with leveling feet and T nuts at the bottom for easy leveling.

[@dannyf4995]

Your video is the best one among many I watched recently, but I can state that as it built it is not stable an will not survive on big tanks. Plywood panels should be added on the both sides and on the back to stand against side loads and fwd/aft loads. However, it helps me to design my stand so I added a like :-)

[@gregjonesonline]

Danny F thanks, this stand design was specific for 40 gallon aquariums and the load they bring, I agree that plywood would add a lot of strength

[@TheCurrencyMan]

Awesome! That's gonna be one heck of a cool room when you get all done. Great job!

[@kcruzxiii]

What does the stand end up finishing up at height wise???

[@rogernilson3986]

Great build.

[@danw4194]

Styrofoam is not a good idea generally for rimmed tanks... You've filling unlevel surfaces visually not allowing for load transfer...

[@gregjonesonline]

the idea is that you shim the tank to be as level as possible, and use styrofoam to allow the tank to level itself over time, if a floor flexes, or a stand bows, the styrofoam will absorb those minor changes, without it, those stresses are carried by the seams and will shorten the life of the tank - right?

[@ClearBrookExotics]

Great stand! Thanks for uploading.

[@gregjonesonline]

correct! no problem!

[@techlake9464]

Good explanation .... nice stand

[@Jmans247massathon]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@timtereshchuk7217]

HAHA, awesome video, i love the part, where when you finished it, you got on it, it made me laugh. Good Job!

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

I'm using your build this weekend for my new breeder tank. My local Petco offering $1pg deal

[@rp101aquatics6]

40 breeders arent offered in the sale

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

@@rp101aquatics6 $49.99

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

Still not bad

[@rp101aquatics6]

@@bettabegoodjr2104 yeah im getting one next year when i have the space

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

@@rp101aquatics6 hey bud how tall was your riser studs for final height of stand. I tried to find your specs of this stand and could not find them.

[@cherylmitchell189]

Do you have the sketch up of this stand in a PDF file? I can't open from the link you provided. Thank you!

[@SuperGrowPlants]

just what i needed. Thanks bro!

[@Pure4Kicks]

That is a very clean build me friend

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

Did you make your stand exactly 32in in length?? Because auqaon specs says its 32 1/4 in length. I want my stand to be flush with the side of my tank. Ty

[@gregjonesonline]

awesome to hear! can't wait to see it!

[@capt.toddwalkersonofafish7206]

Great job wish I saw this sooner

[@gregjonesonline]

take your plastic trim's Width and Depth dimensions and add 1 inch to each dimension, so 36.25 + 1 = 37.25 Width and 16 + 1 = 17 Deep. the long boards for your top and bottom frame are 37.25 inches, and your end pieces for the top and bottom frames are 17 - (1.5" x 2 = 3" if using 2x4 lumber) = 14" long, all of the dimensions for the legs remain the same, hope that helps!

[@dalexbanda]

Will be getting a 55 gallon soon, 48 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 21, what would the dimensions for wood pieces be? Would more support be required across top or bottom? Thanks for all your help

[@dechols2391]

Brilliant!

[@smiley3583]

I recently tried building my own from scratch... didn't go so well. So I'm going with the plans from this to build a canopy and a stand. My only question to you is where did you get the glass lids from. I'm in need and I'm not a fan of plastic anymore haha

[@christianhunt7382]

Why in the description for the measurements would you make it so complicated ex. 3’-3-3/4”??? Just break it down to inches 39 3/4”, so much easier to look at than what you put.

[@gadamwoll]

Also what need to waterproof it

[@gregjonesonline]

it doesn't shrink with water, but if you are going for salt water, i would recommend just building the background out of the live rock

[@mitian]

Nice video thanks for sharing

[@josecolon5802]

Great video!

[@gregjonesonline]

it's impossible to say if it's safe or not from just the description. most desks should be able to hold 200 pounds or more by design, so you may be ok. when in doubt, don't use it, especially if it wobbles, is top heavy, or doesn't have four legs carrying the load evenly, hope that helps!

[@strykerboy23]

GREAT JOB BRO!!!!

[@Jwhiser1302]

Nice build bro!

[@morganpepper1564]

Hi Greg, can't find the link for the lumber cuts. Please forward. Thanks

[@gregjonesonline]

yes, that's correct, but the 5x pieces of lumber you mention are 15-1/4" long, so you may have cut them short as they are over 12 inches all by themselves, when placed on the inside of the front and back boards the total depth should be right around 18-1/4" which is the same length as the "handles" that sit half way up the legs

[@gregjonesonline]

it would probably be fine, as tanks are built with some tolerance to them, but putting any unnecessary pressure on any one seam may reduce the life of that seam, better to be safe than sorry and shim the stand and add polystyrene to get it as level as possible

[@adriennecarrasco37]

I want to build this. I have 2 40s stacked on a flimsy steel stand. I house my bearded dragon in bottom tank but I could close the bottom of a stand like this and add a door and viewing panel and he could have a custom terrarium just for him.

[@destineefong9069]

Can you tell me what the measurements of your aquarium you have sitting on the stand please

[@abrahamluevano5033]

There's also leveling feet you can use but that'll add more cost

[@gregjonesonline]

+Abraham Luevano true, i'd rather spread the weight out across a larger foot print, less dents in the floor/carpet

[@Wargod178]

I going to be building this very soon but I'm not sure about the polystyrene. Reason being this is a salt water tank and is going to have 50 lbs of live sand and 50 lbs of live rock is this going to shrink with the water weight and if so how much

[@queenzinfinity492]

Nice stand but what happens if the syrofoam gets wet?

[@gregjonesonline]

Pamela Woolford it dries

[@barrysooknanan2122]

Good

[@queenzinfinity492]

How do you measure the weight bearing legs to fit in between the top and bottom frame?

[@gregjonesonline]

full height leg - 3.5" - 3.5" (subtract the width of the 2x4 top and bottom frame)

[@ratoneJR]

Do not paint it. It will rot. Maybe paint one side, but not the whole stand. Paint will not allow water spills to dry. Water will be trapped inside.

[@ratoneJR]

no foam

[@danielbonez4347]

Hello question will this stand be okay for a 38 gal tank? Thanks

[@RenegadeLK]

Today the build would cost like $100 :(

[@markabeja9255]

Love this build I did the same thing thanks dude

[@gregjonesonline]

the plywood wrap and doors were left off to keep cost low, these are breeders, not show tanks, tools could run anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on how you prefer to cut and screw lumber together

[@gregjonesonline]

33" x 15.25" is the inside "hole" dimensions of the top and bottom frame, however, the stand's legs do interrupt that as they are interior to the top and bottom frame, is that what you were looking for?

[@Luciferjuice]

Thanks so much I've already built the stand and it's strong , I love it. But do you know the dimensions on plywood if I used 1/2 inch and just wanted to coat the front and sides ? Id want the front piece to cover the sides so the seams are on the sides . I can't measure now cue I'm at work and would like to pick it up on my way home

[@litoaz]

Hi, could you please tell me what material is that black strip that tanks have on the the top and bottom edges? Thanks.

[@alexsharov9255]

Very good!!!

[@gregjonesonline]

go with 1/4" glass, aqueon all glass tanks are a little less than 1/4", but if you are building it yourself i would recommend 1/4"

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

Was the 40 gallon breeder fish tank purchased from petco like mines?

[@gregjonesonline]

it's the plastic frame that most glass aquariums have in the US, it's aqueon all-glass brand fish tank if you'd like to google it.

[@gregjonesonline]

glad it was helpful, post a video reply with your version, i'd love to see it!

[@pidaturtleclub8241]

I have been watching many of your video and they are very helpful, i find your videos very educational. I have a 75 Gallon tank with 3 adult RES, i had them for about 8 years now. I don't have a official stand for my tank. i kinda just have it laying on a old counter i have. I want to build a stand and canopy like the one you made for 125 gallon tank, Is there any chance in the future u will make a DIY video on how to build one

[@patpaluch9842]

Hi Greg, thanks for making this super helpful video! I will be following it closely when I am building by 40B stand. I know it's a lot to ask but would you be so kind to share your sketch up file? Doh nevermind. Just saw you posted link to it in description

[@stephanieroper2563]

*trying to clarify......sorry typo. But yes I'm putting mine interior to front and back boards

[@carpet180]

Thanks for sharing this video . Will you fasten all your stands together or leave them all single next to each other ?

[@gregjonesonline]

+carpet180 i left them all apart because the floor wasn't level

[@stephanieroper2563]

I asked because I'm building this same frame but the width does not come out to fit the 18inch depth of my tank......what am I missing?

[@915Mang]

Nice job Man

[@DamnitDutch]

Can you fit a 20 gallon long on the inside?

[@c4rn4g32]

What would this stand allow weight wise? I have built this stand with the exact dimensions listed and it came out great! I did add an extra leg to each side between the top and bottom base where the support legs meet, so it might be able to support more weight. But, I wanted to upgrade to either a custom made 58/60g(not exactly sure which one) dimensions 36x18x21 or a 75g tall dimensions 36x18x25, which both would technically fit. But, I'm not sure of the weight capabilities of this stand. And wasn't sure if you, or anyone knew if a 75g would be too much or not? I did want to thank you! This video was very detailed, helpful, and saved me tons of money!

[@MELODYMUNRO]

+Corey I used this same design for my 180 gallon tank..I use a board on top as well as the polystyrene and I added an extra leg in the middle of my stand due to the length of the tank..however, this design is holding up super strong.

[@gregjonesonline]

thanks!

[@gregjonesonline]

make your top and bottom frames 0.5 inches longer and wider than the aquarium, the height of the legs should still work fine, if it's too top heavy, add weight down below, the actual measurements for each piece of wood will depend on the type of lumber used, check out aquarium stand calculators online for exact measurements

[@daniellong360]

hey greg is it safe to use a second hand miniature table for a tank which is a 61cm x 30cm x 38cm 65litre fish tank as my brother wants his old stand back will I need to make any modifications to the table at all to make it more sturdy cause it looks strong enough to hold it if so would love some feed back the tank fits perfectly on top of the table

[@leopard956]

Link doesnt work for the sketch

[@stargazer9861]

Really good video! :-)

[@tristanbeligan6242]

How do you make it up on sketch up where it doesn't fill up the middle space? Say you are making a square out of 2x4 on sketchup and the middle there is nothing there. When I do it, it fills up that middle space?

[@gregjonesonline]

+Tristan Beligan you can select a face and delete it, sketchup automatically applies a face to a shape that is completed connected with lines and points.

[@paleobuff]

I don't see the dimensions or cut lengths in the video description anymore. Could I get those?

[@gregjonesonline]

The materials you are going to need for this project include: • FIVE 2x4s x8ft long (per stand) • 5 lb of 2.5" decking screws (which will build 4 or 5 stands) • 4ftx8ft x ¾" polystyrene (which will build 5 stands) The lumber cuts are as follows: Top and Bottom Frames: 4x: 3'-3/16" 5x: 1'-3-1/4" Long Legs: 4x: 2'-6" Load Bearing Legs: 4x: Approx. 1'11" (measure each and cut a hair long for a snug fit) Side Handles: 2x: 1'-6-1/4"

[@gregjonesonline]

Artie4001 sure, just modify the length of the legs to suit your needs

[@OscarSegundo]

I want to build one so bad!

[@automaticfantastic]

how much wood did you have left over from this build?

[@BboyDeathzs]

hey tell me if this the correct measurement... 37 for the L 16 for the W and the leg i got that part. im just worrying about the L and W part.

[@gregjonesonline]

check the full description for the measurements

[@bettabegoodjr2104]

What was the height of this stand?