Photo courtesy of the Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation

Handy aquarists often build their own, furniture-quality custom stands to display their pride and joy. Help a first-time builder determine the proper dimensions for their stand and remind them to fill out a complete shopping list before heading to the local home improvement store. By helping them with their plans, you may decide to offer your own custom stand building service.

Luckily, there are Internet tools available to help calculate the exact amount of materials required to build a customer’s stand. Sample instructions and blueprints are even available, detailing a step-by-step process, which makes construction easy and satisfying.

The Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation, headed by Leroy Headlee, specializes in promoting DIY coral propagation with a focus on self-sufficiency. To that end, the GARF website contains several calculators to take the guesswork out of the process of reef keeping. Every aspect of the hobby, including custom stand construction is detailed.

With tank measurements in hand, any novice can enter dimensions into GARF’s “Building your Own Stand” calculator which returns a customized list of lumber required for the project and a basic blueprint showing instructions for assembly. The custom stand is complete with doors for storage of sumps, filters and supplies. A sample cut list from the calculator, with a detailed procedure for assembly, is listed below.

Stand Dimensions:
Stand Height = 24"
Stand Width = 36"
Stand Length = 48"
 
Cut List:
Top Frame:
2 - 2 x 4 x 48
4 - 2 x 4 x 33

Bottom Frame:
2 - 48 x 2 x 4
2 - 2 x 4 x 33

Uprights:
6 - 2 x 4 x 24

Stand Top:
1 - 3/4 inch plywood - 48 x 36

Aquarium Stand Construction Procedure

1. Inspect all pieces for rough or flawed edges. Sand as needed.
2. Lay out boards for top frame. 
3. Screw the end boards and supports to front and back pieces
4. Lay out boards for bottom frame.
5. Screw the end boards and supports to front and back pieces.
6. Screw the upright boards to bottom frame.
7. Screw the upright boards to the top frame.
8. Put the 3/4" plywood top on the stand.
9. Cover the stand with your choice of covers i.e 1/4 inch finish plywood.

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