How to Build Aquarium Stands

An aquarium adds peace and calm to any room, even the dentist's waiting room. Making a customized aquarium stand requires basic carpentry skills and a good design. This design is for a wood stand fitting a 40 gallon tank with base dimensions of 48 1/4 inches x 12 3/4 inches.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch Plywood (3) 8 feet x 4 feet
• 2-foot x 2-foot Stud Plank
• Circular Saw
• Table Saw
• Drill
• Liquid Nail Glue
• Wood Putty
• Door Hinges
• Wood Stain or Paint
• Brushes
• Plastic Grommets

Instructions

How to Build Aquarium Stands

1. Measure and cut your plywood for the top and bottom of the stand. The dimensions are 48 1/4 inches wide by 12 3/4 inches deep, making the stand flush with the tank dimensions. You can add length or width if you desire a lip around the tank. Cut the top and the bottom planks.

2. Measure the side panels to be 12 3/4 inches deep by 3 feet high. Cut left and right side panels.

3. Measure back panel to be 48 1/4 inches wide and 3 feet high. Cut two back panels. One will be used for the back and one will be cut in half to make the front doors.

4. Frame the left panel, right panel and center with frames made of 2x2s. The three frames will be the same. To create each frame, measure the two planks at 12 3/4 inches. Then measure two planks at 32 1/2 inches. Use liquid nail glue at the two edges of the shorter planks and set the longer inside. This should look like a rectangular frame. Allow to dry and repeat for center and right frames.

5. Glue two of the frames to the inside of the side panels. Allow to dry.

6. Glue the back panel to the side panels and reinforce it to the side frames with glue.

7. Measure four planks from the 2x2 that are 44 3/4 inches in length and cut. This will help to frame the back interior.

8. Place against the top and bottom of the back panel flush against the side frames. Glue with liquid nail.

9. Add glue to the exterior of one of the longer planks on the center frame. Wedge into the center of the back panel between the planks glued in on Step 8. Allow to dry.

10. Glue top and bottom panels by using liquid nail on not only the side and back panels but to as much of the frame supports as possible. Allow to dry.

11. Paint or stain with brush.

12. Measure door hinges 2 inches from both top and bottom on the door panels. Screw in with power drill.

13. Measure 2 inches on the side panel and screw in hinges to add door to stand.

14. Drill a hole 3 inches from the back in the top. Place plastic grommet to pull pump electrical wires through on each side of the top rear panel.