I learned that my wooden 2nd hand stand may become a hazard soon! The people I got it from (along with the 29 gallon tank) had made it. It looks pretty solid, but the shelf that the tank sits on is made out of chipboard, and I learned chipboard is not a good thing for stands to be made of. The rest is solid wood. Why couldn't they have just bought one more peice of solid wood???? Anyways, I think the middle is warping very slightly or something, because I can see the tiniest bit of light from under the middle of the tank. *gulp*

So...Yah..I need one or two more stands. First it depends on if I want to keep my ten gallon on a lower shelf of the stand and keep my python I can't figure out, or just get another stand for it.

Is it hard to make a stand yourself? How much will it cost? Any tips or instructions? I can't afford to buy new stands, those things are very expensive!

Edit: Ooops! I just realised this would be much more suitable for the DIY forum. I'm sorry mods!! :\ I read thru the pinned topic about making the huge stand for the 125 gallon tank, but I think I'm going to definately need a ton more guidance.

Remind me again what you're building stands for? You've got R&R in the 10, right, and a 29 gal for goldies? Are you still doing the tub?

I can barely keep track of my own tanks!

Anyways, if you're looking for a good stand for your 10, I found one (actually just a shelving unit) at Target for about 13 bucks that works great. Both my 10 and my 12 are on these, and they're solid as a rock. Says on the package that they hold 200 pounds.

Lemme see if I can find it on the website for you...

Ooo yay! I checked petsmart and petco online and found their cheapest 10 gallon stands to be about $30 (not including shipping). I don't think they have those stands in stores tho, I've only seen the huge fancy wooden cabineted ones. Of course I never really search for them lol. That sounds great for my ten gallon..only $13!!!

Yes, the 10 gallon currently has my two tetras, Ruby and Rummert in it. I'm getting more tetras and a few cories to go in once they pass quarentine. The 29 gallon is empty right now, but reserved for three special goldies!! I decided not to do the tub. Its more than I want to risk sneaking into college, and it might be more than I will be able to care for at that point anyway. I don't want to risk that! I'm going to wait on the commons until they can have their own mini pond and have more space to be happy.

Thank god my betta doesn't need a stand..the back of my fifties diner booth/couch works just fine!

I can't find anything like that at Target.com. Can you take pictures of your own and post them? When did you buy them? I hope they are still in stock because I want one. Next time I go to Target I'll have a look around. I have a $40 gift card for target thats DIEING to be used up

I'm ahead of you, kiddo.

I couldn't find it either, so here's the whole thing, under my snail tank (forgive my fishmess):


And a detail of the corner so you can identify it better:


The top two shelves are like that but they've got these foam covers on them. They should still have them, probably for between 10 and 15 bucks. I can't remember if I got them on sale, but I bought 3!

Edit: They're in the same section with the cheapish shelving units made of particleboard. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about, but I thought I'd tell you anyway. Also, I'm dumb, and I don't have a 12 gallon. I have a 6 gallon, but apparently I have magickzzl's 12 on the brain. Wishful thinking, I suppose.

Thanks Kortniee! That's great, it looks perfect! The only ones I found online were like five tiers 0.o I don't want something that big, my room is so overcrowded as it is lol. My parents will be out of town this weekend, and REALLY don't want my grandma driving me places. She's a road hazard, I swear. She will already want to take us a bunch of places thursday-sunday as it is...I seriously think we'll get in a wreck soon and I don't want to risk that for a stand. I might have to wait 2 weeks :\ I hope they will still be there.

How tall is the stand? 2.5 ftish?

Is a standard size ten gallon going to fit on it? I can get measurements if you need.

It just occurred to me to tell you the measurements, too... Great minds think alike, I guess.

It's about 30 inches tall, 12 inches deep, and 22 inches wide. I say "about" because I measured it pretty quick with a ruler, but that should be relatively accurate.

Edit: Yep, the snailies are in a good ol' ten. So no worries there.

Thankies! I'll measure it later tonight and get back to the post tomorrow. The measurements sound good, but I'll double check with the handy dandy measuring tape to be sure. I might be able to bug my parents into a ride to Target before they leave (even tho my mom just went a couple days ago)

Okay, well I was able to get to Target today, but they didn't have it So it looks like I am making/buying 2 new stands. Hopefully they have an attractive, durable, cheap ten gallon stand with a shelf at petco, I have a brand new gift card that should cover most of it. With the 29 gallon stand...Can I just replace the top chipboard or put a plank of solid wood over the chip board? If that won't work, I might have my boyfriend make me one. I'm nervous about him making something so important, but he's been in woods classes for 2ish years and he'll have the help of his teacher.

Hmmm... how is your stand built? Because technically, you don't need a "shelf" per se, so much as support around the edges. My 29 gallon stand has nothing underneath the bottom of the tank, just a frame on which the tank frame rests. So if it's just a shelf of wood you're worried about, I wouldn't be.

Oh I just want a shelf because I need more places to store my fish junk lol.

Hi Kissy,
The chipboard could be replaced. In fact, I bet your boyfriend with his teachers help, could put a nice piece of wood on it. Tell them how much weight it needs to hold. I would bet they could fix that stand up the way you want it very nice! Or build you a new one. Most school shops generally have heaps of wood around that maybe you can search through for a piece thats close to fit that top that won't require much trimming off. Plywood generally has rough edges though, but you can alway's get edging and cut to fit for a nice edge.

You can buy plans for tank stands over off eBay pretty cheap, I've seen them listed all sorts of sizes too. I'm not sure how much the wood would run, but it generally comes out cheaper then ready made stands by quit a bit. You'd have to look into the type of wood, some is more expensive then other kids. Soft wood would be like pine, which is chepest I think, so you'd want a thicker piece IMHO compared to a hard wood such as Oak which would be spendy.

Thanks Kathy

I think they hugest problem would be getting the darn thing to school, much less ALL the way to the wood shop. Maybe we can borrow some sort of cart with wheels lol. Anyways...I'm going to take a picture of it tomorrow and post so I can make sure the design is sturdy and good, and if I can just copy that design if I make a stand for my ten gallon. My dad thinks we can just attach a peice of plywood on top of the chipboard. Would that work? Also, my boyfriend was talking about using glue for the tank stand. Is he crazy or does he really know what he is talking about? :unsure