How to Make a Fish Tank Stand

The modern looking aquarium has been in use since 50 A.D. in Rome. Since then, aquariums have come a long way. While some aquariums were placed on the floor in Roman times, most people prefer to have a tank stand nowadays. Decent stands can be expensive. Using a few simple items (some found right around the house), you can make a sturdy, inexpensive aquarium stand to ensure your fish always have a suitable place in your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Six 6 by 8 by 16 inch cinder blocks
  • 2 by 4 wood (three boards equal to the length of tank)
  • Sheet of 5/8-inch plywood (or at least large enough to hold your tank on top)
  • Sand paper
  • Suitable saw to cut plywood and 2 by 4's
  • Spray on glossy latex paint (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out a piece of plywood that matches the measurement of the bottom of the aquarium. Simply place the plywood on a flat surface and put the tank on top. Trace out an outline of the tank. Remove the tank and use the saw to cut out the piece of plywood. If the aquarium is too large to move around easily, measure the dimensions of the top of the tank. Cut out a piece of plywood that matches the measurements.

    • 2

      Cut your three pieces of 2 by 4s if they aren't the right size. Measure the length of the tank for your measurement. Your 2 by 4s will need to be the same length as the aquarium. After cutting the boards to the appropriate size, sand all of the edges.

    • 3

      Decide how high you want your tank to be. The six cinder blocks (three will be stacked on each other) may be shorter, or taller, than you want your tank. For a shorter stand, simply use four cinder blocks. For a taller stand, use eight.
      If the tank is extremely long, it may be a good idea to add another stack of cinder blocks for support. If using six blocks, you will need three more for support. If using four blocks, you'll need two more. Finally, if using eight blocks (tall stand) you will need four extra blocks.

    • 4

      Paint all pieces of wood and the cinder blocks at this point, if you've chosen to do so. This will make the stand more visually appealing. Painting everything before assembly is much easier than attempting to after the stand is assembled.

    • 5

      Place the piece of plywood exactly where you want your aquarium to be. Make sure there is plenty of room away from the walls. Place something (paper, or even make small marks) at each end and corner of the plywood to mark where you will put your cinder blocks. Move the plywood. Place one cinder block in between each corner mark on both sides of where the plywood was. The cinder blocks should be spaced so that the middle of each end of the plywood will rest upon the blocks.

    • 6

      Place the remaining cinder blocks on top of the two blocks you've already placed down. Remember that both stacks of cinder blocks should be equal in height. This is also the point at which to put down additional blocks in the center of the first two stacks if extra support is needed.

    • 7

      Place the three 2 by 4s on top of the cinder blocks. Make sure that they are evenly spaced out. Place the plywood on top of the 2 by 4s once they are evenly spaced.

    • 8

      Place the aquarium on top of the plywood. Fill the tank up and add your fish and supplies.