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Aquarium Stand Plans
An aquarium stand, or fish tank stand, built as a plywood cabinet: two sides, a back and a divider every 700 mm stand on the floor and carry the tank's weight straight down, so the top cannot sag. The defaults fit a 55-gallon tank (48 × 13 in); enter the length and width of your tank and the stand height to size it for a 20 long, a 40 breeder, a 75 or a 125-gallon tank. Doors hide the filter, and the back has room for the hoses and cables. You can build it in a weekend with a saw and a drill.
- Default size
- 1230 × 760 × 340 mm
- Parts
- 13 pieces · 9 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 2 carcass + 1 door
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- About 8 hours
- Edge band
- 11.5 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 1 | 1230 | 340 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Side | 2 | 742 | 340 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Back | 1 | 1194 | 662 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
6 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- Make the stand the exact footprint of the tank or slightly larger: the tank's rim must bear on the top all round.
- Level the stand on the floor with shims under the plinth before the tank goes on; never shim the tank itself.
- Seal every face and edge with paint or varnish: spills and humidity swell raw wood.
- Cut openings in the back for hoses and cables, between the panels, never through a divider.
Common mistakes
- Building the stand from particle board or MDF: water makes it swell, and it can give way under the weight.
- Leaving out the back: without it the stand racks sideways under a heavy tank.
Tools you need
- Table saw or track saw
- Drill/driver
- Level
- Hinge jig
Frequently asked questions
What size are standard aquarium tanks?
Common footprints: 20 gallon long 30 × 12 in, 29 gallon 30 × 12 in, 40 breeder 36 × 18 in, 55 gallon 48 × 13 in, 75 and 90 gallon 48 × 18 in, 125 gallon 72 × 18 in. Measure your own tank and make the stand the same size or up to 25 mm larger.
How much does a full aquarium weigh?
About 10 lb per gallon (1.2 kg per litre) with water, glass, gravel and rock: roughly 600 lb (270 kg) for a 55-gallon tank and 850 lb (385 kg) for a 75-gallon one.
Can plywood hold a fish tank?
Yes. Upright 3/4 in (18 mm) plywood panels carry many times the weight of a large tank in compression. What matters is a flat, level top, panels that reach the floor and a back that stops the stand from racking.
How tall should an aquarium stand be?
Most stands are 28–36 in (710–915 mm) high. Lower stands are steadier and easier to work in; taller ones put the tank at eye level when you sit.
