Building Instructions for a Fish Tank Stand

Building a stand for an aquarium is a simple project. Creating a beautiful and practical fish tank stand requires only basic carpentry skills, and it is a project that can be completed in the space of a weekend. An aquarium stand is useful for anyone with fish. It allows the aquarium to be up off the floor, visible and within easy reach for feeding the fish and cleaning the tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 16 to 18 boards, 2 inches by 4 inches (lengths will depend on tank stand size)
  • Saw
  • Sandpaper
  • 2-inch nails
  • Hammer
  • 4 plywood boards
  • Level
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the width and length of your fish tank.

    • 2

      Purchase four 2-by-4 boards 5 to 8 inches longer than both the length and width of your fish tank. These will form the frame for the of the fish tank stand. Purchase four boards to act as legs, and a further eight to 10 boards for supports.

    • 3

      Cut four boards to 3 feet to act as legs. Sand any rough edges. Cut the plywood boards so that they are 3 feet tall; two should be the length of the fish tank and two should be as wide.

    • 4

      Position the frame boards on their 2-inch sides. Nail one of the boards based on the tank's length to one of the boards based on its width so they form a right angle. Repeat with the two remaining frame boards.

    • 5

      Nail the two right-angled pieces together to form the rectangular frame of your fish tank stand. The frame should be 4 inches tall.

    • 6

      Attach support boards to the bottom of the frame. Fill in the open portion of frame entirely with support boards. The frame should now resemble a tray.

    • 7

      Attach the legs to the corners of the aquarium stand. Make sure each leg is flush with a corner before nailing it to the frame.

    • 8

      Nail four support boards to the bottom of the legs to act as further support for the stand.

    • 9

      Secure plywood sheeting to the outer portions of the stand from the bottom edge of the tray to the floor supports. Hammer in a nail every 4 inches along all four sides of each sheet of plywood.