DIY 75g cube stand

mseepman · #1 03-31-2008, 05:22 AM

Okay...this stand is already putting me to shame since we got our tanks at the same time and I haven't officially started building the stand yet. I do have questions though. What is holding the cross members up?

kwirky · #2 03-31-2008, 05:46 AM

nice job on it. my cube's tank's 18" tall and I went with a 36" stand as well.

Would you maybe consider wood sheeting on the sides and back to keep the stand square? I always worry when looking at DIY wood stands that haven't been squared up with wood sheeting. TIMBERRRRRRR!. It's from building cabinets all the time with my dad when I was younger.

Myka · #3 03-31-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

Okay...this stand is already putting me to shame since we got our tanks at the same time and I haven't officially started building the stand yet. I do have questions though. What is holding the cross members up?

The cross members are just glued and screwed. They are only there to help keep the bottom from bowing down too much. I'll be putting 3/4" plywood on the top too, so they don't need to be as strong as the support on the sides. I would feel comfortable if they weren't even there. I'm going to put a couple 3" nails through the members as well since nails have much greater shear strength than screws.

Quote:

nice job on it. my cube's tank's 18" tall and I went with a 36" stand as well.

Would you maybe consider wood sheeting on the sides and back to keep the stand square? I always worry when looking at DIY wood stands that haven't been squared up with wood sheeting. TIMBERRRRRRR!. It's from building cabinets all the time with my dad when I was younger.

Once the plywood and foam is on the top the tank will actually sit about 37" or so. I think it looks good at that height. It's a nice height to view a shallow tank.

I worry the same thing all the time too. The sides will be sheeted with plywood. That's as much as I'm going to say...it's supposed to be a surprise!

mseepman · #4 03-31-2008, 03:40 PM

It's looking good...I'm eagerly awaiting the special woodwork on the outside. Do you have much experience as a finishing carpenter?

Myka · #5 04-01-2008, 12:28 AM

Yes I do, but I lack shop tools, and I get real lazy when it comes to working after work!!!

So it won't be a show of my skills or anything. I would have really liked to make the stand out of solid white maple and black walnut to match my end tables, but I don't have the shop tools available to work with solid wood. I think I will still be able to put together a good looking stand though.

brizzo · #6 04-01-2008, 02:05 AM

Lookin' good Myka!

Have you considered using 3/4" or 1" MDF to have a true flat surface versus plywood? (or maybe some solid core plywood) For my stand I laminated two pieces of 3/4" (glue and screwed), then finished in black formica

Myka · #7 04-01-2008, 02:07 AM

Ya I thought about using MDF. I'm not a fan of MDF as it has formaldahyde in it, and the dust is really not good to breathe, so mask or not I'd rather not work with it at all. I may use it for the doors though.

fishytime · #8 04-01-2008, 02:25 AM

Actually Myka they have changed the formulation of mdf, it contains a fraction of what it used to. Only trace amounts according to the manufacturers. Which is a little late for me as Ive been working with the stuff for 15 years. At least my lungs should be well preserved.