Instructions
Choose the material. Wood is the most easy to work with, so incorporate wood into the design but be sure it is pressure-treated. This process imparts chemical preservative to the wood to protect it from decay by moisture, salt and pests. The wood must be strong enough to bear a heavy load. Even a ten-gallon tank will weigh 100 lbs.
Design the base for a 10-gallon fish tank. Use 2x4's, to form two rectangles about 21 inches x seven inches. You will glue and screw these to form the bottom support structure. Devise an equal dimension top. You will use the same-sized pieces of 2x4 to create a top that aligns perfectly.
Attach four legs to the base of your fish tank stand, the next step in your design. If the tank is longer than 36 inches, you will need two legs in the middle, one on each side. Stick with 2x4 and make the length of the legs about 26 inches. You will use an "L" bracket on either side of each leg, securing them with wood screws.
Place the top, from step 2, onto the legs of the stand and secure it to the four legs with glue, screws and brackets.
Plan to attach 3/4-inch plywood to the top, sides, front and back to enclose it, glueing around the legs of the stand and hammering two-inch nails through the plywood and into the legs of the stand.
Protect the stand from moisture by staining your finished product with an outdoor woodstain. Let it dry before placing your fish tank on top.
How to Design a Fish Tank Stand
If you own a fish tank, you will need a place to mount it, maybe a counter or the top of a dresser. These surfaces are not intended to hold the weight of a full fish tank and you might need for something else. Commercial stands, from your local pet supply store, are another option, but can be expensive. If you want to save money, you can design your own with just a little effort.