DIY - Furnature grade cabnet for a 90G

Pokerman11 · 04/21/2018, 02:35 PM

Doing a new tank build. Surprisingly I'm finding that most commercially available tank stands are just pure crap. The wife is not going to allow them in the house.

Thinking I need to make a stand. I've never made furniture before. But I do have a nice table saw, miter saw, and can sand. I'm not creative, but can follow directions

Looking to build a 48 x 18 x 30 stand.

I'd like to have doors on the front as well as side access if possible.

Are there plans or guides on self building a fish tank stand?

DougSupreme · 04/21/2018, 02:53 PM

Following for the same reason

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

on the spot · 04/21/2018, 05:22 PM

Do you like your kitchen cabinets?

Most stock cabinets will have something close to what you need. Start with the Rocket engineer stand thread and splits to build the support, then use the cabinet face and doors to cover that up for a clean matching stand.

You can also usually order matching back panels - it's used on peninsulas - to finish the sides.

Pokerman11 · 04/21/2018, 09:22 PM

I've been trying to search this DIY forum, but I'm running into so MANY post. There are 1000's and 1000's of posts, mostly with bad links.

This can't seem to find anything of value.

I figure somebody has put together plans for a classic 90 stand. I like the idea of hanging cabinets to finish. I go to google and see what I can find.

Pokerman11 · 04/21/2018, 10:19 PM

https://cflas.org/2014/03/03/build-y...quarium-stand/

found this 90 gal build

homer1475 · 04/22/2018, 02:49 AM

I would start here on the stand, then skin to match your kitchen cabinets.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

on the spot · 04/22/2018, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerman11

found this 90 gal build

That first picture is Rockets schematic. You are well on your way.

RobZilla04 · 04/23/2018, 04:22 AM

Not sure about your/her style but you can breeze through my build thread. Perhaps there is something in there that may be helpful.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2613836

Mark9 · 04/23/2018, 05:41 AM

If the wife is concerned with aesthetics, why not shift gears and get something like a Red Sea XL deluxe 425?
Yes, a bit pricier, but it's going to look better than anything you can build, and it comes with everything you need.

d0ughb0y · 04/23/2018, 09:36 AM

I think red sea stands, although decent, use MDF. even elos stands use MDF as well.
I've read people getting crap plywood stand from SCA.

ca1ore · 04/23/2018, 03:14 PM

I always just build a substantial stand/frame that will hold the tank through an earthquake; then skin it with an appropriate looking front and sides. Doors are pretty easy to make with a table and miter saws. You may need a router as well.

Reefpuck · 04/23/2018, 04:12 PM

+1 to a router table if you have one or access to one...you can make really professional looking cabinets...exactly like what you find in most new homes.

They sell all sorts of different router bit combos to make popular designs. I'm in the process of making shaker style doors for the canopy/stand, and the same type of panels for the sides that will be help to the stand by magnets...so i can remove them for access/maintenance.

Sk8r · 04/23/2018, 04:13 PM

Big thing is going to be the finish. Pick a plywood with a nice ash or oak veneer finish, and be ready to sand, wipe, sand, wipe down, first coat, sand, wipe, etc. Minwax makes some that can cover a multitude of sins (mahogany is one that will shine) but I'd advise practicing the finish on a slab of decent wood until you get a result you're proud of, and know what you can do. The other item is corner bracing. A triangular block inside a corner can help it hold big weight. Triangles are strong. Things joined as a T are weak. Lots of You-Tube on furniture finishing, and a couple of guys in the Lounge are real artists at it.

d0ughb0y · 04/23/2018, 04:42 PM

by furniture grade, do you mean built like fine furniture? or do you just mean you want a plywood stand vs an MDF stand?
I think building a functional stand is fine following instructions.
I think it requires some skill and experience (more than just getting a router) to build fine furniture quality.

davocean · 04/24/2018, 08:55 AM

Even most of us cabinet makers will make the stand and cabinet skin or face frame, and often I will just have my local cabinet door supply shop make doors for me, as they make them perfectly for about what material cost alone would be for me.
That would help you avoid having to get some expensive tools possibly unless you wish to go down that road for future projects.

Good doors can make even a novice carpenter look good, that's mostly what shows.

There are a number of threads to help frame/stand design, rockets diy is one, and the fancy stand thread has lots of cool ideas

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1688446

davocean · 04/24/2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

I think red sea stands, although decent, use MDF. even elos stands use MDF as well.
I've read people getting crap plywood stand from SCA.

I think in trying to offer more or better than the MDF stands, they started shopping for a new cabinet builder, and the first attempt came up short.

04/21/2018, 02:35 PM	#1
Pokerman11 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 221	DIY - Furnature grade cabnet for a 90G Doing a new tank build. Surprisingly I'm finding that most commercially available tank stands are just pure crap. The wife is not going to allow them in the house. Thinking I need to make a stand. I've never made furniture before. But I do have a nice table saw, miter saw, and can sand. I'm not creative, but can follow directions Looking to build a 48 x 18 x 30 stand. I'd like to have doors on the front as well as side access if possible. Are there plans or guides on self building a fish tank stand?

04/21/2018, 02:53 PM	#2
DougSupreme Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,226	Following for the same reason Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef

04/22/2018, 02:49 AM	#6
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I would start here on the stand, then skin to match your kitchen cabinets. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964 __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/23/2018, 04:22 AM	#8
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Not sure about your/her style but you can breeze through my build thread. Perhaps there is something in there that may be helpful. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2613836 __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/23/2018, 03:14 PM	#11
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I always just build a substantial stand/frame that will hold the tank through an earthquake; then skin it with an appropriate looking front and sides. Doors are pretty easy to make with a table and miter saws. You may need a router as well. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

04/21/2018, 05:22 PM	#3
on the spot Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,010	Do you like your kitchen cabinets? Most stock cabinets will have something close to what you need. Start with the Rocket engineer stand thread and splits to build the support, then use the cabinet face and doors to cover that up for a clean matching stand. You can also usually order matching back panels - it's used on peninsulas - to finish the sides.

04/21/2018, 09:22 PM	#4
Pokerman11 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 221	I've been trying to search this DIY forum, but I'm running into so MANY post. There are 1000's and 1000's of posts, mostly with bad links. This can't seem to find anything of value. I figure somebody has put together plans for a classic 90 stand. I like the idea of hanging cabinets to finish. I go to google and see what I can find.

04/21/2018, 10:19 PM	#5
Pokerman11 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 221	https://cflas.org/2014/03/03/build-y...quarium-stand/ found this 90 gal build

04/23/2018, 05:41 AM	#9
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	If the wife is concerned with aesthetics, why not shift gears and get something like a Red Sea XL deluxe 425? Yes, a bit pricier, but it's going to look better than anything you can build, and it comes with everything you need.

04/23/2018, 09:36 AM	#10
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I think red sea stands, although decent, use MDF. even elos stands use MDF as well. I've read people getting crap plywood stand from SCA.

04/23/2018, 04:12 PM	#12
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	+1 to a router table if you have one or access to one...you can make really professional looking cabinets...exactly like what you find in most new homes. They sell all sorts of different router bit combos to make popular designs. I'm in the process of making shaker style doors for the canopy/stand, and the same type of panels for the sides that will be help to the stand by magnets...so i can remove them for access/maintenance. __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

04/23/2018, 04:13 PM	#13
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Big thing is going to be the finish. Pick a plywood with a nice ash or oak veneer finish, and be ready to sand, wipe, sand, wipe down, first coat, sand, wipe, etc. Minwax makes some that can cover a multitude of sins (mahogany is one that will shine) but I'd advise practicing the finish on a slab of decent wood until you get a result you're proud of, and know what you can do. The other item is corner bracing. A triangular block inside a corner can help it hold big weight. Triangles are strong. Things joined as a T are weak. Lots of You-Tube on furniture finishing, and a couple of guys in the Lounge are real artists at it. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/23/2018, 04:42 PM	#14
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	by furniture grade, do you mean built like fine furniture? or do you just mean you want a plywood stand vs an MDF stand? I think building a functional stand is fine following instructions. I think it requires some skill and experience (more than just getting a router) to build fine furniture quality.

04/24/2018, 08:55 AM	#15
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Even most of us cabinet makers will make the stand and cabinet skin or face frame, and often I will just have my local cabinet door supply shop make doors for me, as they make them perfectly for about what material cost alone would be for me. That would help you avoid having to get some expensive tools possibly unless you wish to go down that road for future projects. Good doors can make even a novice carpenter look good, that's mostly what shows. There are a number of threads to help frame/stand design, rockets diy is one, and the fancy stand thread has lots of cool ideas http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1688446 __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD Last edited by davocean; 04/24/2018 at 09:01 AM.