DIY Aquarium Stands: 15 Easy Plans With Instructions

Any serious aquarium enthusiast knows the struggle of getting a good aquarium set-up. Once you move beyond small desk tanks, aquariums quickly start to get heavy, and finding a stand that can support your tank can be expensive.

Fortunately, DIY options can help bring a stable and high-quality stand within the reach of any aquarium owner. With a bit of creativity and the right materials, you can make an aquarium stand that can easily hold up a heavy tank. Building your own stand also lets you decide on the style, as there are multiple options for every level of project.

The 15 DIY Aquarium Stands

1. 30-Gallon Aquarium Stand by Alberta Aquatica

This simple aquarium stand is ideal for a 30-gallon aquarium with a footprint of 24” x 12”. Besides the ease of construction, the low cost of this stand is an attractive factor. All you need are a few tools and materials to make this for your aquarium. Despite being low-effort-intensive and budget-friendly, the stand has a solid build and can withstand the weight of a heavy aquarium since it uses maple plywood for the top, front, and sides.

2. Steel Frame Aquarium Stand by Reef Addicts

If you don’t mind welding or are already an expert, you can put together this steel stand on a free day. The tank is ideal for heavy aquariums that might be unsafe to put on a wooden frame. Besides the instructions, the best thing about this Reef Addicts tutorial is that the author explains considerations to keep in mind when making a steel stand. They also discuss the mistakes that they made, so you can avoid them during your DIY project.

3. Wooden Aquarium Stand by BrouHaha

This is a quick and easy tutorial for making an aquarium stand with the following specifications: 40 gallons, 36-1/2″ x 15-1/2″ x 17″. Kiln-dried 2x4s make the square frame for the tank to sit on. The author explains their choice by saying that they opted for expensive wood because they were worried about shrinkage. Since kiln-dried wood does not warp as much as cheap wood, it’s ideal for this project.

4. DIY Aquarium Stand by AquaNerd

With its dimensions measuring 48″L x 24″D x 16″T, this DIY aquarium stand is suitable for an 80-gallon aquarium. The white Kilz paint on the inside of the stand gives it a classic look, while the pine wood and oak plywood make it sturdy and durable. Some DIYers get the base measurements and assembly wrong, which is why the stand can end up being unstable. However, the author has explained the instructions for the base quite well in this tutorial. Also, you can modify the upper part’s measurement to customize it to your tank’s size.

5. Bowfront DIY Aquarium Stand by Mr. Saltotlo

Since bowfront aquarium stands are quite expensive, it’s understandable to want to make one of your own if you have the right expertise for the job. This DIY aquarium stand tutorial requires quite a bit of gluing and clamping, so it will take a couple of days to complete since you’ll have to wait for the glue to dry before using the tank. The author has also added holes at the base of the stand’s canopy support so they can push through the cords and tubes running the tank. Do note that if you have an unconventionally shaped aquarium, you should be prepared to buy a planer to cut the wood into the rectangular shape that you want.

6. DIY Aquarium Stand by Virtually Amy

The small aquarium stand tutorial is the best option for people who don’t have advanced woodworking skills or a large budget. All you need for this tutorial are a few cinder blocks, pre-cut plywood, and glue. The downside to this simple design is that the aquarium’s wires will be exposed at the back. You can take other approaches to cover them, such as adding a painted panel at the back or using fabric to make a curtain.

Some people might have concerns about the sturdiness of this stand, but the author says that if you use flat boards and have a level floor, there’s nothing to worry about. Their 29- and 55-gallon aquariums do not rock or wobble on this stand and are more stable than their previous store-bought stands.

7. DIY Aquarium Cinder Block Stand (55-Gallon) by Pink Aspen Projects

If woodworking isn’t your jam, there are still options for building a sturdy aquarium stand. This tutorial shows how to build an easy stand for a 55-gallon aquarium out of cinder blocks and wood without the hassle of complicated tools for woodworking. (Just make sure to have the store cut your wood to length when you buy it.) The cinder blocks will hold up to hundreds of pounds of weight, making it perfect for a 55-gallon tank. This stand also gives you a simple shelf for storage underneath.

8. Adjustable Aquarium Stand (75-Gallon) by Instructables

If you’ve already got your shop of tools and have worked with wood in the past, this detailed article walks you through the process of making a true work of art. It has an innovative design that lets the weight of the aquarium be distributed on an inner shell so the beautiful outer cabinet can be customized as needed. Although the downloadable plans are for a 75-gallon aquarium, the tutorial shows you the whole process from design to completion so you can adapt it to any size of the tank. The finished product is attractive from all angles, with built-in lights, a storage cabinet, and a covered power strip.

9. 30-gallon Aquarium Cabinet Stand by Woodshop Diaries

These detailed plans are designed for a 30-gallon aquarium, making it perfect if you’re moving up from a desk-sized aquarium but are not quite ready for a huge tank. The finished product is just beautiful: a solid wood piece of furniture with a spacious interior cabinet for storage.

Although you’ll definitely want experience to make this stand, the instructions are detailed and helpful, with schematics and photos of every step of the process and a detailed material list with all the measurements that you’ll need.

10. Cheap Rack for Multiple Tanks (Up to 30 Gallons) by The King of DIY

If you have several small aquarium tanks, this YouTube tutorial might be right for you. Building a multi-level stand will help you care for several tanks of fish with less floor space, and a simple construction of 2x4s and screws will help your stand take the weight. This tutorial is a little more freeform, without specific measurements given, so you can adapt it to any size of tank up to 30 gallons.

11. Multi-size Aquarium Stand by Central Florida Aquarium Society

This basic stand tutorial is perfect if you have an oddly shaped tank, since it gives you all the formulas to adjust to your own stand size. It’s a relatively easy build, making it suitable for someone with a moderate amount of experience. The clear plans show how to build a sturdy stand that will put all the weight on the vertical supports. The example stand is for a tank that is 75 gallons, so this plan can hold a pretty hefty tank without modification.

12. Herringbone Aquarium Cabinet by The Sociable Home

This gorgeous stand is an advanced project, but the work is well worth it. The detailed instructions include basic plan diagrams and a full walkthrough, with a full PDF plan available to purchase. The tools and materials are described in detail, including each color of stain needed, so you can recreate it perfectly or adjust to your own needs. This stand also incorporates clever design tricks, like using paint stirrers to make the herringbone design on the doors and sides of the stand.

13. DIY Aquarium Stand With Sheeting by wikiHow

Building a simple aquarium stand to measure is easy with this tutorial. Although it requires some basic math to calculate the dimension of your stand, it has clear diagrams and easy step-by-step instructions that make it less intimidating than it looks! Each step is clearly detailed so even an ambitious beginner can follow along. This isn’t sized for any tank in particular, so it can be adapted to the size and height you need.

14. Cinder Block Multi-level Rack by Aquarium Co-Op

This multi-level rack is perfect for a big setup. With no tools needed except a measuring tape, it comes together quickly and easily and is much lower cost than a commercial rack. The one in the example has two levels that can hold eight 20-gallon tanks or four 55-gallon tanks. If you have multiple fish tanks and need an easy option that can hold a lot of weight, this is the tutorial for you.

15. Concrete Block/Wood Frame Stand by The Fish Beast

A happy medium between a basic cinder block stand and a full woodworking project, this tutorial shows you how to build a solid wood frame to rest on top of a cinder block base. The finished stand is professional-looking and solid, with only half the work of building a basic wooden stand from scratch. It is perfect for a first woodworking project, and if you get your 2x4s cut to length at the shop, the only tool you really need is a drill.

Last Thoughts

Aquarium setups can be intimidating but they don’t have to be. While it’s important to have a stand that supports your tank’s weight, that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on a store-bought stand.

Whether you put in dozens of hours building a gorgeous aquarium cabinet from scratch or you just want to build a basic stand from wood and cinder blocks, there’s a perfect DIY plan out there for you.

• See also: How Much Does a Fish Tank Cost to Buy & Maintain?

Featured Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock