How to Build a 29-Gallon Fish Tank Stand

Fish tank stands elevate the view of a fish tank's water life and can add to a relaxing atmosphere. They are often made of metal or wood and can be fairly expensive, but with reason. Water may not appear to be heavy by volume, but a 29-gallon fish tank can weigh more than 300 lbs. A stand for a tank like this needs to be built from heavy wood. A simple tank stand only requires basic construction lumber and can be assembled with ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 2 pine boards, 2 inches by 4 inches by 31 inches
  • 4 pine boards, 2 inches by 4 inches by 16 inches
  • Screw gun
  • 40 wood screws, 3-inch
  • 4 pine boards, 4 inches by 4 inches by 24 inches
  • Pine board, 2 inches by 4 inches by 28 inches
  • Plywood, ¾ inch thick, 19 inches by 31 inches
  • Sandpaper, medium and fine grade
  • Tack cloth
  • Wood stain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the 31-inch boards on their edges, parallel and 16 inches apart. Place two 16-inch boards 28 inches apart, between and perpendicular to the 16-inch boards. Screw the 31-inch boards to the 16-inch boards. Use two screws for each corner.

    • 2

      Position a 24-inch board in each corner, perpendicular to the frame, with the ends flush with one side of the frame. Screw four screws through each corner and into the boards. These are the legs to your aquarium stand and they must be even.

    • 3

      Stand the frame upright on its legs. Screw a 16-inch board perpendicularly to each pair of legs, 12 inches directly below the 16-inch board on the frame. These boards should be 28 inches apart. Screw through the center of these boards, 8 inches from each end, and into the ends of the 28-inch board. The 28-inch board's edges should be facing up and down. It will provide horizontal support.

    • 4

      Place the plywood on top of the frame so all of the edges are flush with the sides of the frame. Screw the plywood to the frame in this position. Use two screws for each side.

    • 5

      Sand down the aquarium stand with the medium- and fine-grade sandpaper. Wipe it down with the tack cloth and apply the wood stain. Let the stain dry according to instructions.