How to build an aquarium stand

[chandra_r381]

Planning to buy 3ft tank which holds almost 90L water.

please suggest the items and tools to make the stand which can hold the weight.

[JacobZ]

Hi @chandra_r381,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.

I would suggest building the aquarium stand out of 90 x 45mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine and connecting it together using Zenith 14G x 100mm Galvanised Type 17 Batten Bugle Head Timber Screws. 

For this project you will need a mitre saw, a drill such as the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer Drill All Rounder Kit and some drill and driver bits. A good kit for this is the Ryobi 40-Piece Specialty Metric Drill and Drive Set.

The materials I have advised are certainly strong enough to hold the weight of the tank you've described, but much of the strength of the stand will come down to its design. Did you have a specific design in mind? And if you do, can you upload photos so I can assist further?

Let me know if you need assistance uploading images.

Jacob

[Byrne1]

Hi,

Is the treated pine okay to be kept indoors, example a bedroom? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Byrne1,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

There are no issues using H3-treated pine indoors, however, it may have a smell to begin with.

Check out this article from our supplier Hyne Timber for some further information - T3 Green, H3 Treated Pine | Hyne Timber.

I initially recommended it as it will be much better when exposed to liquid than untreated timber, but realistically, if you had any concerns using it indoors, untreated pine framing would be fine; you would just have to paint it to ensure it is well sealed from any liquids.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Byrne1]

Thanks for the reply,

What type of paint? Or varnish?

[JacobZ]

Hi @Byrne1,

Any interior paint will work fine, as long as you prime the timber first. You could use Dulux 1Step Prep Primer, Sealer & Undercoat then Dulux Aquanamel tinted to a colour of your choosing. There is also a variety of Furniture Paints that would look fantastic.

Similarly, any varnish will work fine; it really just depends on the look you are after. If you'd like to maintain the look of the timber and just protect it, a clear varnish such as this Bondall Monocel Satin Waterbased Clear Wood Varnish would work well. If you'd like to alter the look with a stain, there are stain and varnish products that would also look great.

Let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob