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Cheap Study Stands

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Cynthia, May 17, 2010.

  1. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    the one thing most people need, but hate buying..a good stand, sure I could just buy one of the flimsy ones at Petco for 50 bucks but they look so unsteady, the last thing somebody needs when their trying to make a new strain of platies is to have the tank fall and shatter (fish costs as much as dicus with tax and shipping added! so I don't want to lose any before I even get a chance to breed them) what are some good tank stands somebody could make with a couple 2 by 4's around the house or something, the stand I want is well over a 100 and well out of a 14 teen old's price range [icon_e_confused.gif]
     
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    depends on the size you need?
    :cool: can always post a ad on craigslist or check your local thrift stores.
    diy fish tank stand

    IF the tank is small enough you might be able to get away with using a dresser, solid coffee table, night stand, student desk, book case, etc.
    Sometimes you just have to think creative ;)
     
  3. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    it's a ten gal, I checked the 6 Dalmation Platies I'm keeping in there will fit well, I'll remove fry to a second grow out tank, the one I'll need a stand for, sell the fry who don't have the colorations I want (heh, it's a new fairly rare strain of Platy if Anthony had never heard about it XDD, he thought I meant dalmation Mollies but I wouldn't even keep a fry in a ten gal) :)
     
  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    These are the white bodied ones with the black speck if I'm thinking on the same line as you...and as for tank stands for a 10g...pretty much anything will work. Heck, I have my 20L on top of my computer armoire...had the kids old 10g simply sitting on the floor :)

    check the furniture aisle of your local store (wal-mart) and see if they have a microwave cart or something similar..they work great and give you underneath storage for a canister/uv/inline heater...and supplies such as food/net/etc. if you slide in a basket ;)

    10g filled should be under 200lbs and this is only $29.00 - Rolling kitchen cart used to hold fish tank

    this is what I was referring to for $69.00 - Microwave cart use to hold aquarium
     
  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    here's one for actual aquariums (10g) for $23.99 with free shipping--> <a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/PETCO-Manhattan-Gallon-Metal-Stand/dp/B002CYPECG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.com/PETCO-Manhattan-G ... B002CYPECG</a>

    I know the cheapo metal ones go for $31 & $38 @ petco shipped (without using a coupon code).
     
  6. nossie

    nossie Member

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    I keep my 10 gallon on a stand I made myself, out of two small, sturdy stools and a pretty thick wooden board on top. The reason I did this is because I can't possibly press any more furniture into my tiny apartment, and this is working really well, the tank is standing steady and nice there :)
    My second tank is standing on a bureau, pretty small and again, sturdy one, so I think you could easily make something similar up ;)

    Or, you could, like suggested before, check on craigslist or some second hand sites/stores if they have anything suitable for your tank! :)
     
  7. FishVixen

    FishVixen Active Member

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    I have 55 gal tanks on 2 rows for milk crates (Free from the local grocer who gave them to me) coverd in material. 1 is 2 crates high and the other is 3 crates high.You can dig around and come up with some really unique designs from tables, dressers,computer desks (I use one for a 20 gal got desk free off the street)). Check out free stuff on craigslist for any tables, pedistals, desks, wood or metal scraps, just be creative and have fun with it. :D
     
  8. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Wow. Never thought of using milk crates. How sturdy are they ? Now I want to get some and do a step like design and put the 10 on the bottom section and the 20 above it. LoL
     
  9. FishVixen

    FishVixen Active Member

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    They are sturdier than any moderate price stand. I have even used them as a base for a waterbed and that's alot of water! One set up I just put cheap plywood on front and sides and stained it then put i peice of dark green and black marble on the top (which I found on trash day). It cost me $8.50 to make and sold it for $150.
     
  10. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    that's a profit of atleast 14o dollars :) hmm...I want that micocart XDD. I would just stick them on my booksleve for one of two reasons, A it's were me betta set up is and B the shelves are just wide enough for a 8ish gal so anything would tumble over... but their high enough to keep cats away from fish :D
     
  11. FishVixen

    FishVixen Active Member

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    I have 5 cats and 6 tanks 3 are open tops. The cats are forever on the tanks drinking the water but never bother the fish :D I have built a 6 foot desk and hutch out of milk crates and a 5 foot desk top. I just use wire to conect the crates and a couple of screws to hold the hutch down. I have a thing for CHEAP DIY projects all over my house.
     
  12. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    :) that's my problem! but my kitty Tiger doesn't understand that she can't drink outta the jars (once again...two of my 2.5 gal tanks broke and I can't find a good deal on replacements yet :-x )

    though because the remaining one has alid on it..I don't think Ruby minds her girl's plight... she's a bossy little thing that mixing any fish with her would be like putting a gubby with a starving Oscar and expecting it NOT to get eatten I can't even keep a snail or ghost shrimp in her tank, but she's a sweetie and swims right up when ever I walk by her tank :D
     
  13. FishVixen

    FishVixen Active Member

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    I have a Cambodian female that every time my cat Sassy starts drinking the water she tries to attack her and bites Sassy's tongue. Sassy just ignores her she just wants a drink of water. My cats will no longer drink tap water it has to be ageded 48 hours or from the aquariums.
     
  14. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    :) Ruby is a female Red Veiltail , Dory is a little one,can't tell with her etheir veiltail, or halfmoon female and Kami is a Crowntail betta she's sapphire though, not turquoise

    for me aged water is easy..I keep 4 gal of it in my room in milk jugs
     
  15. FishVixen

    FishVixen Active Member

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    Too many tanks to be holding water for changes, I use Prime. Have you thought of a stand yet?
     
  16. Cynthia

    Cynthia Thread Starter Member

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    yea I have, cleared off my dresser top, good news is that a friend's older brother is going off to miltary school..leaving a 40 gal tank with stand with outta home :D maybe if i'm lucky I can get it for free , that has alot of potentatal, all it needs is a good cleaning, a cycling and a heater (was coldwater tank)
     
  17. jasonG

    jasonG New Member

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    Guys and Gals I have with me a set of VERY nice places for either a stand or what I like to call a Cabinet stand.

    If you would like these plans FOR FREE (I paid for them) PM me your email. They are in WORD and EXCEL format.
     
  18. Bharain75

    Bharain75 New Member

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    I think you lack small furniture where you can place your tank or there is no really space in where you live. Still it is good that you have a 2 tanks there as an added furniture for the house. I have also a big tank here in my apartment where my 4 ft arowana lives and it almost cost 1/6 of the space in my living room.