Buy Aquarium Stands
When you're looking to buy aquarium stands for your new saltwater system, you'll almost certainly want to be looking locally. While this might narrow your stand choices, it will be worth your while to avoid the costly transports associated with purchasing an aquarium stand from elsewhere.
It seems that of all the aquarium-related items that people are likely to make themselves, the most likely is the stand. However, only a very few bother to make most saltwater aquarium equipment for themselves when they can just pay someone else to do it for them. Nonetheless, many people do buy aquarium stands, and if that includes you you'll need to know what to look for in a good one.
Measurements and Math
When you buy aquarium stands, the first thing you'll want to arm yourself with are the measurements of the area the tanks will be going into, as well as the dimensions of the proposed tanks themselves. This will allow you to get a good idea of just how much weight your stands will have to hold. A good rule of thumb is that each gallon of water will weigh about 10 pounds, so a 50 gallon aquarium will weigh ¼ ton, not including the glass itself.
You'll also want to make sure the tank(s) you have in mind will fit well on the stand. Usually, one tries to make sure the bulk of the tank weight is upon the sturdiest part of the tank stand or cabinet and isn't hanging off the edges of the stand. There are plenty of stands out there, so you don't have to take the first thing that just sort of works for the tank you've got in mind.
Design You Can Live With
Consider also that this piece of furniture will be part of your indoor environment for as long as the tank continues. That can be decades in the case of very successful tanks. Choose something you think you'll be able to stand looking at everyday for the next 20 years.
Remember, once you've got the water in, you won't be able to move the tank at all – not even for a coat of varnish. Be careful with the aquarium stand material you choose – some paints and materials are considered dangerous to work with.
Looking Locally
Because they are so heavy, it is usually not worth it to buy aquarium stands online unless the manufacturer is in town and you can make your own pick-up or delivery arrangements. While some other items ship perfectly well, a saltwater aquarium stand is far too heavy, bulky and fragile for regular shipping.
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