Aquarium Stands

The most common aquarium stands will support hundreds of pounds with room to spare . . . and look good too.

Aquarium Stands Saltwater aquariums can weigh a ton – literally. No matter the size of your new aquarium, you'll need to set it upon something. Some people are very fancy and create or buy ornate stands that more closely resemble cabinetry. Others build themselves perfectly good stands out of cast off lumber. It's up to you, but no matter what, aquarium stands should support several hundred pounds of water and glass without incident for years.

Feelin' Heavy

For starters, the aquariums themselves
differ depending upon the material they're made of. Most people still choose glass because it's totally inert and resistant to scratches. Acrylic, on the other hand, is comparatively light, but not quite a durable. It may be possible to weigh the tank before filling it to get an accurate weight, but you may also guess, depending on the material and its thickness. You may be surprised unless you've ever had to move the tank in question up a flight of stairs.

Saltwater itself is very heavy. It actually weighs more than freshwater, at about 10 pounds per gallon. So, if you have a 55 gallon tank, you'll need a stand capable of handling 550 pounds of water in addition to the 10 or so pounds of hood and filters and quite a few pounds of tank. Because water is so heavy and potentially destructive, some apartments and condos forbid large aquariums for the same flood potential reasons they don't allow waterbeds without additional insurance.

Stand2 Getting Just the Right Fit

Not only does the stand have to be able to hold enough bulk, but it must also fit into the desired place in your home or business. Be sure you leave not only room enough for the tank, but also room to move around the back for cleaning and space for the lid and lights.

Where to Find a Good Stand

There are many places that sell aquarium stands. Contact us for a recommendation.

Nonetheless, while many people are perfectly content to buy aquarium stands, it is becoming increasingly popular for people to build DIY aquarium stands. This is in part to have the satisfaction of making everything from scratch, and in part the unholy lure of saving money. Do-it-yourself stand making has become a big business for those who sell patterns to those who want to make their own aquarium stands.

You'll have to be careful to use good hardware and lumber. Over-estimating what you think you'll need is a good idea, within reason.

Aquarium Fish Magazine