How to Build a Stand for an 80 Gallon Aquarium

When purchasing a fish tank stand from your local fish supply store, you can choose from two main constructions. The first is a wooden stand and the second is a metal stand.

Fish tank stands are usually expensive. If you find an inexpensive model, you generally get what you pay for--and that may include rusting or warping. You can build your own stable and inexpensive stand out of plywood and cinderblocks.

Things You'll Need

  • Medium grit sandpaper
  • Outdoor wood sealant
  • 2 sheets of 1/4-inch plywood, 50 inches by 20 inches
  • 4 boards, 2 inches by 4 inches by 50 inches
  • 9 cinderblocks, 8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sand all the wood. Brush away the dust.

    • 2

      Seal the wood. Allow the sealant to dry.

    • 3

      Place three cinderblocks where you will set up the tank. Place the blocks with the open sides down and the short sides parallel with the wall. Space them 13 inches apart to keep them properly spaced across the width of the plywood.

    • 4

      Center a sheet of sealed plywood on top of the cinderblocks. This will be a shelf to store fish tank supplies.

    • 5

      Stack three more cinderblocks on top of the plywood. Align the blocks with the first row of blocks. Position them in the same manner. Once you have established the second row, stack the final three blocks on top of the second row.

    • 6

      Position your sealed 2-by-4s on top of the last row of cinderblocks. Position them so they are centered over the cinderblocks with even spacing between each board. Place your final piece of plywood on top of the placed 2-by-4s to finish your stand.