Do-it-yourself aquarium stand: step-by-step instructions for making a stand

The exotic beauty of aquarium fish and the measured hum of the compressor can relieve tension and become a source of peace. In addition, the aquarium becomes a stylish element in the interior of the home. When purchasing it, the owner needs to consider what the new acquisition will stand on. You can't put it on the floor or table. A cabinet of a special design is required that can withstand heavy weight without deformation.

• 1 Meaning, role and features of aquatombs
• 2 Mr. Tail explains: requirements for cabinets
• 3 Varieties: shape, size, material
• 4 Design and selection rules
• 5 DIY aquarium stand
• 6 Drawings of different options for stands for aquariums

The meaning, role and features of aquatombs

The aquarium stand should not only match the design of the apartment, but also fulfill the main task - to be a reliable support and withstand a lot of weight. Therefore, such cabinets have a number of features. They have a specific design and are made of special material.

If a small aquarium with a capacity of 50 liters is placed on a table or stand, then over time the tabletop will begin to sag under its weight. And any deformation of the surface provokes cracking of the aquarium glass. For tanks of 100 or 200 liters, you will definitely need special furniture, which is equipped with additional vertical partitions inside.

The requirements for moisture resistance of the material from which the cabinet is made have the same goal - to prevent deformation. When cleaning the aquarium, changing the water and servicing the aqua system, moisture gets onto the support. Over time, unevenness appears on the tabletop, the load is distributed unevenly, which leads to the formation of cracks in the glass.

Aquarium furniture has holes on the countertop or back wall for aquarium communications - wires and hoses. The free space is equipped with shelves and is used to store additional equipment and supplies for caring for the tank and fish.

Photo gallery of aquarium stands:

Main indicators of practicality

In addition to its pleasant appearance, do not forget that the bedside table for the aquarium must perform a number of functions included in it by the manufacturer. To do this, there is a list of criteria that determine the practicality of the product:

• moisture resistance - each material used in the design of the product must not absorb moisture. The constant use of fish food, the procedure for cleaning the tank and other manipulations lead to water flowing onto the cabinet. Manufacturers try to additionally treat chipboard and MDF with compounds that prevent moisture penetration;
• tendency to deformation - among furniture products there are also those that can crumble into pieces with a slight impact. Keep in mind that the aquarium is heavy, and during operation the cabinet should not deform under load;
• strength - the back wall of the product must be reinforced with metal racks. Using fiberboard alone will not be enough if you plan to use a 200 liter aquarium with a stand. It is best if not only the rear pillars, but the entire product is equipped with metal inserts;
• holes for cords - it’s a good idea if the future bedside table is equipped with additional openings for power cords and tubes. For example, it is very convenient to place a corner aquarium on such a product: you will not need to look for a way out of the situation where to place the protruding connections to the tank;
• doors - think about the fact that all the equipment for feeding and caring for the fish needs to be located somewhere. Most likely, these will be shelves in a cabinet, so it is better that the doors cover them.

It is also worth paying attention to the thickness of the tabletop, on which the stability of the bedside table will depend. The photos presented in our material show that this value should not be small. Taking into account the main strength indicators, you can proceed to choosing a model.

Mr. Tail explains: requirements for cabinets

Externally, the aquarium stand looks like a chest of drawers or a TV stand. But the requirements for its production are completely different. This applies to materials, height, and frame features.

All cabinet walls, as well as internal partitions, must be 25 mm or more. In this case, the back wall is made as thick as all the parts of the case. If the volume of the aquarium exceeds 100 liters, the internal supports are made of metal, and the walls are reinforced with metal profiles. Otherwise, the side panels of the cabinet will begin to sag, causing uneven distribution of the load.

The dimensions of the tank and countertop must match each other. As a result, the pressure on the cabinet is evenly distributed across all vertical partitions. In this case, visually the entire structure looks more harmonious and monolithic.

The optimal height is 90 cm. Exceeding this standard deprives the aquarium structure of stability and requires additional supports.

Aquarium stands are often made without legs. But it is better if the support is equipped with screw legs, this is necessary to ensure the stability of the aquarium on an uneven floor surface.

The requirements for countertops are higher than for other surfaces of the cabinet. They should be no thinner than 3 cm, perfectly smooth and repel moisture. Top panels made of stone are not suitable for aquarium furniture - they are too heavy and place additional stress on all vertical supports. For large aquariums, it would be useful to have a side around the tabletop. For production, natural hardwood, laminated chipboard or MDF are used.

Varieties: shape, size, material

It is much more convenient when the cabinet is purchased complete with an aquarium. In this case, the seller will recommend the best option taking into account the shape and size of the tank. If the stand is selected separately, you need to know the features of certain sizes and shapes of the products.

Size

The furniture and tank must match each other. Based on size, three groups can be distinguished:

• Small ones. They are suitable for small aquariums with a volume of 70-100 liters. The length of the table top is usually 60 cm.
• Average. Capable of withstanding a load of 100-150 liters with a length of 70-80 cm;
• Big ones. The length of such furniture exceeds 1 m, has a massive tabletop and an impressive base. Such designs can withstand tanks of 250 liters or more.

A correctly selected cabinet shape helps solve several problems at once: it serves as a stand for an aquarium, becomes an additional decoration for the room, and saves space. The most popular are:

The main requirements for the materials from which furniture for aquariums is made are strength and moisture resistance. For this they use: chipboard, MDF, wood and metal.

For small aquariums with a capacity of up to 100 liters, laminated chipboard is suitable. Products made from this material look stylish, non-bulky and at the same time affordable for most. MDF is stronger than chipboard.

An additional advantage is the wide choice of colors for such panels. The buyer is given the opportunity to choose a model whose color best fits into the interior of the home. Products made from such panels can withstand large tanks up to 200 liters.

Solid wood furniture is often made to order. These are expensive, stylish and reliable models. Any durable type of wood will do - maple, ash, oak. To repel moisture, the wood is varnished and lasts a very long time.

Metal is used only for the manufacture of the internal frame. When exposed to water, it quickly corrodes and loses its required strength. Therefore, the outside of the cabinet is made of any material. Such designs guarantee high strength and reliability for tanks over 250 liters.

Design

You can take diagrams from the Internet, look for suitable drawings, repeat the manufacturing and assembly procedure using photo and video instructions, or do everything from start to finish with your own hands.

The most popular are 200-liter aquariums, for which a cabinet is made on a rigid frame and covered with sheets of laminated chipboard. Financially, this is the most profitable option, plus the material itself is not afraid of moisture.

Pure metal does not look very aesthetically pleasing, weighs a lot and is expensive. Wood is also expensive, and its moisture-resistant properties are significantly inferior to those of laminated sheets.

As for size, there are several factors to consider.

• The optimal height is considered to be 60-70 sizes. This will allow you not to bend too much, but at the same time not to place the aquarium too high;
• When calculating the height, do not forget about the presence of legs on the cabinet;
• The width directly depends on the size of the tank itself;
• Cabinets whose size is equal to or literally slightly larger than the size of the tank look beautiful and neat;
• If this is an aquarium with a capacity of more than 200 liters, it is highly advisable to make a separate cabinet with a reinforced frame;
• You should not make furniture wider than the container in order to use the space for other things. A more rational solution here would be to install shelving, as well as store things in the cabinet itself.

Please note that the aquarium is an independent piece of furniture in your home. Therefore, you should not use the cabinet as a place where you will store your socks or some tools.

The bedside table is dedicated strictly to the needs of the aquarium. That is, you need to place food there, equipment for filtration and cleaning, and everything else that is directly related to the aquarium and its contents.

Device and selection rules

Despite a number of features, the arrangement of such furniture is simple. First, tighten all the frame parts: side, top and bottom. Then the vertical posts are installed. The maximum distance between them is 50 cm. After this, panel cladding is performed.

If the model does not provide a frame, then all the parts are connected to each other, starting from the back wall. For convenience, models are equipped with hinged or sliding doors. Shelves are installed inside, which are attached to vertical posts, enhancing the strength of the entire structure.

When choosing, you need to consider several points:

• Aquarium volume. Large volumes require frame-reinforced furniture.
• Tank shape. Both models must match each other.
• Perfect evenness of the tabletop. The surface is considered unsuitable even if it has an unevenness of 1 mm. It is desirable to have sides or a non-slip coating on the surface of the cabinet.
• The presence of holes in the countertop or back wall - depending on the location of the aquarium, free space inside the cabinet for placing aquarium equipment.
• Appearance of the product. It should be in harmony with other interior elements.

If all the details are thought out, then the buyer receives reliable, practical and beautiful furniture for long-term use.

Tips for choosing

The main selection criteria for most users are the size of the aquarium and the cabinet, as well as the combination of its design with the interior of the room. However, this is not enough for the stand to fully function. The following factors must also be taken into account:

1. Moisture resistance. The material must be prepared for possible contact with moisture. Insulating coatings are required. During the manufacturing process of the cabinet, a special impregnation must be used.
2. Resistance to deformation. The rigidity of surfaces is determined by the thickness of the parts and the properties of the material.
3. Strength. The build quality must match the complexity of the task being performed.
4. Presence of holes for cords. The wires and tubes necessary to connect the filters and compressor should be placed as secretly as possible. If the design provides special holes or channels for laying wires, the appearance of the kit will be much neater and more attractive.
5. Internal organization. Food, spare filters, devices for catching and cleaning the aquarium, care products, and design elements need to be stored somewhere. If there are various compartments inside the cabinet that allow you not to dump all the accessories in one pile, using the product becomes much more convenient.

Types of bedside tables with drawers, their purpose, main colors

In addition to these criteria, one should not forget about the size, cost and other features of the cabinet. The optimal option must harmoniously combine the necessary qualities and provide all the requirements and functionality. It is very important that the furniture is safe, especially if children live in the house.

Moisture resistance

Resistance to deformation

Structural strength

Presence of holes for cords

Convenient internal structure

DIY aquarium stand

You can make a bedside table for an aquarium yourself. This process is labor-intensive, painstaking and costly. Therefore, you should start this business yourself only in the following cases:

• if it is impossible to deliver the cabinet;
• if there is no stand of the required shape and size in the store;
• with a non-standard aquarium model.

A high-quality stand will only be possible if all the operating features of such stands are taken into account: stability, water resistance of the surface, internal equipment with vertical stands at a distance of 30-50 cm, and the weight of the filled aquarium. Depending on this, materials are selected and a metal or wooden frame is installed.

The exact dimensions of each part, their thickness and quantity are determined in advance. To do this, at the initial stage they make a diagram, then draw up a detailed drawing. After this, they begin to manufacture the cabinet, following the algorithm of actions:

• They cut parts to the required sizes, independently or in a furniture workshop.
• Process the edges of parts if necessary.
• Drill holes for bolts and for confirmation.
• Connect the box parts, starting from the back and side walls. In this case, you need to very accurately align all the angles. The slightest deviation is unacceptable.
• Install internal vertical posts.
• They hang doors and attach shelves.
• Cut holes for wires and hoses.

If the manufacture of a cabinet requires a frame, the execution pattern may differ. A wooden beam or metal profile will be required, depending on the required strength of the entire installation. If the bars are precisely fitted and correctly connected, then such a frame will not be inferior to a metal one. Assembly of a metal frame is possible using welding or bolts.

Then you need to cut the cladding parts to the required sizes. If the frame is steel, pre-drill holes for fastenings. The cladding is attached to the rear wall. After installing all the panels, they must be connected to each other. Doors and shelves are attached last.

After the cabinet has been installed in its proper place, you can begin installing the aquarium. Additional fastenings are not required, but to balance out the slightest unevenness, it is recommended to place a polystyrene foam pad under the bottom of the tank.

Working on a cabinet is difficult and requires skill and precision. Therefore, if possible, it is better to purchase it in a store complete with an aquarium.

What to do in case of a leak

It may turn out that after assembling and filling the aquarium, it begins to leak. Of course, this does not mean that all the work was in vain and you can get rid of your homemade product. It is enough to determine the cause of the leak and eliminate it. While maintaining the integrity of aquarium glass, the causes of leakage can be different. Accordingly, the methods for eliminating them will also differ.

Leaks in the corner

If a leak is found in the corner of the tank, you should drain the water, dry the aquarium and prepare it for gluing. The area is re-treated with silicone from the inside. If after a couple of days a leak is noted again when filling, you should cut off the silicone, cut the structure in the problem area, treat the edges again with alcohol and glue them with silicone.

Leaks along the seam

We proceed in the same way if the leak is noted along the seam. First, we clean the area and try to re-glue it. If this procedure does not give results, you will have to cut out the wall, clean the joints from silicone, degrease and glue again.

Bubbles

In some cases, no leak is noted, but upon closer examination, rising bubbles are noticeable in some places. Experts say that this problem is not dangerous for the fish or for the structure as a whole, so there is no need to do anything.

By following simple recommendations, you can not only create an aquarium of any shape, but also save some money, since the cost of its production will be minimal.

Drawings of different options for stands for aquariums

Click on any drawing picture to enlarge it:

465 liters

140 liters

60 liters

117 liters

320 liters

350 liters

138 liters

470 liters