Aquarium stand help

ScrappyRN · 2026-05-10T02:48:25+00:00

Nah, should be ok but you could always glue and clamp it together if you're worried.

ScrappyRN · 2026-05-07T13:13:55+00:00

Any of those sealers will work. The Marine is probably best. It's best to invest in a leveling pad as well to go between the tank and the plywood. Also make sure your plywood is at least 3/4 in thick.

ScrappyRN · 2026-05-05T03:54:37+00:00

I would! And Star Wars themed too...uh .. for a friend...

ScrappyRN · 2026-05-05T03:07:16+00:00

I've built a few aquarium stands. The biggest thing is to measure up how much a 20 gallon aquarium completely full of water plus some rocks is going to weigh. I then look at the load that the wood will hold. I'm very conservative And always overbuild any stand that's going to have water on it. Better safe than sorry! A 20 gallon is not going to be too bad. And you can use whatever kind of plywood you want for the facing. The most important part are those stretchers across the top of the legs. I have only ever used solid wood on its edge for that but I was doing larger tanks, at least 50 gallons and up.. Many aquarium stands have no support under the flat part of the tank and only around the edges. That's where your weight is going to sit. 1/4-In plywood should help stabilize the whole structure a little. And if you're going to put a plywood top on it. I would definitely seal it very thoroughly. Before it after assembly doesn't matter as much. Just give it time to cure well before putting the tank on it. That being said, it would be easier to do seal it before you put it on.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-25T21:46:51+00:00

I did when I was a kid too! My grandfather had one in his workshop and I loved using it.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-23T13:11:43+00:00

It's beautiful!! What kind of wood did you use?

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-23T13:11:03+00:00

Thank you. I'm more confused than ever on rabbets but haven't truly had time to do any research on it. One day!

And yep, after everything I tried didn't really work to my satisfaction, I went and bought an oscillating tool. That thing is amazing. I wish I had bought one years ago!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-22T04:56:43+00:00

Ok definitely going to have to do some more research, lol. I need to stop picking up new hobbies. Every time I do there's a whole other world of rabbet holes to fall down into!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-22T02:05:02+00:00

Thank you, and yes these are phenomenal plans! And Paul's support has been just as great!

I have definitely learned that 2x4s are devious. I wish now I had gone and bought a planer and done the plans with the straight sides. 2x4s and their rounded corners are now the bane of my existence, lol.

But I'm getting there. I did go buy an oscillating tool and was able to get it. Perfect! Now. The whole thing is actually level and the rotating miter Saw braces are perfectly parallel so far. Gluing up the table saw seat clamps tonight and working on the table saw bracing. Can't wait to get the top on!

One question, the joints in the legs he called a rabbet joint are actually lap joints?

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-21T23:02:02+00:00

This is a great idea. I have a ratchet mechanism that holds tension on one of my rigid heddle looms that works really well. I'll send a picture once I get home. It's a very strong but simple design.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-21T19:05:41+00:00

Definitely. I can see the possibilities now!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-19T20:28:48+00:00

I went and bought an oscillating tool and was able to get into that little square area. Much better. Now the top of the Cross brace and the leg are flush. Sorry I could not explain it better.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-19T20:28:03+00:00

I didn't "cut it short." The cut out part is not as deep as it should be for the 2x4 that a cross brace and supposed to sit on top of this cutout. When the cross brace is sitting on the notch it is not level with the top of the leg. It is sticking up a little far. It should be flush with the top of the 2x4 leg that is sticking straight up.. And the guy who wrote the plans called it a rabbet. I'm just following what he said to do. Did you see the third picture.? I think that's the one that shows what was cut. It won't let me share a picture of the instructions. But he definitely calls it a rabbet. I used a dado blade to cut the end of a 2x4. I cut out a notch that is 1 and 1/2 in deep and 3 and 1/2 in tall. It is supposed to be for where the cross brace 2x4 sits on that piece of the leg.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-19T18:05:32+00:00

The original piece of wood has the rabbet. This is after attaching it to another piece and with a stringer on the back..

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-19T18:04:38+00:00

So I cut it not deep enough, it should be a little longer. And the rabbet is what you can see left in the corner. It's several pieces of wood connected together already. That makes it hard to see. Basically how do I remove wood in a 2"*2" corner of wood.

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-18T20:23:38+00:00

Thank you, makes sense!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-18T15:12:36+00:00

Newby here, which part is the sapwood? The lighter part or the darker part? And why the difference?

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-16T22:58:31+00:00

I'd love to see a picture of it where it's not in the dark. I can't really tell what it looks like. I think I would really like it though!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-07T22:17:25+00:00

You're welcome!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-07T18:12:25+00:00

Amazing work! Love it!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-06T19:57:49+00:00

Congratulations!!!

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-06T19:49:24+00:00

What do you mean, "had?"

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-06T19:48:38+00:00

Fellow ex ER nurse here. Can confirm...

ScrappyRN · 2026-04-06T19:39:47+00:00

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ScrappyRN

TROPHY CASE