Do It Yourself Aquarium Stands

Setting up and maintaining a home aquarium is an expensive hobby. The tank, fish, filtration system, heater, light and decor can put quite a dent in a first-time fish owner's wallet. One piece of mandatory aquarium equipment that does not have to break the bank is the aquarium stand. As long as the stand is large and sturdy enough to hold your tank once it is full of water, you can set your aquarium atop anything you wish.

Things You'll Need

  • Chest of drawers
  • Paper
  • Night stand
  • Microwave stand
  • Wood glue
  • 2 X 4s
  • Plywood
  • Electric drill
  • Wood screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use furniture you already own. Use your own bedroom chest of drawers for your aquarium stand, if the aquarium is small enough. A 20-gallon tank also will fit on top of a large night stand, desk or end table, and looks nice on top of your television entertainment center. If the piece of furniture wobbles slightly, fold a piece of paper and place under the shorter leg to balance. The top dresser drawer provides a convenient place to store your aquarium supplies.

    • 2

      Purchase second-hand furniture. A microwave or television stand makes a great place to set smaller aquariums and can be purchased at little cost from consignment or thrift stores. Since the aquarium stand must be sturdy, as you will be adding water -- which can make the tank extremely heavy -- check the stand carefully before purchasing it.

    • 3

      Make an aquarium stand. Cut four pieces of 2 X 4 pieces of wood 36 inches tall, for the legs. Determine how much surface you need to hold your aquarium and cut a rectangle of plywood large enough to hold your tank, with at least four inches to spare all the way around. Cut more 2 X 4s to brace the plywood stand top and the legs. Use wood screws at least 1 and 1/2 inches long to screw the legs and the top and center braces together, and to affix the plywood at the top.