Aquarium Stands/Cabinets

[JayP]

Looking for recommendations. I purchased my first aquarium with the matching stand. The stand, of course, doesn't really live up to the price they charge for it. For my 2nd tank, I built a plywood stand. It's only a 7 gallon cube tank so the stand is simple and small. Even with that though, my DIY stand is just so-so appearance wise. While I can do woodworking, it's not a strength.

So for the next couple scapes I build, I'm debating continuing to build or just buy stands. I definitely want stands that have full height cabinet doors to hide all equipment. I'm familiar with Oase, UNS, and ADA stands and how much they cost. I like the features of Oase but, holy cow, they are expensive, and only 2 sizes available in U.S. I see that Sevenports has stands in various sizes but am unsure of quality.

Any recommendations on good stands at the best prices. I should add that leveling feet are a requirment for stands in my house.

 

[DutchMuch]

I'm familiar with Oase, UNS, and ADA stands and how much they cost.

Whenever a fellow hobbyist mentions stands, I always have to do my due diligence and give a shoutout to the Archea lineup. I’ve owned multiple UNS stands, and each one I’ve given away for free just to rid of them, because they have been so poor quality for the excruciatingly high price you’re paying.

Archea stands feel as if they are twice as thick as the veneer/particle board UNS uses for theirs… and are half the price.

Anyway, that is my Archea rant. I hope you find a suitable stand! Stand shopping can be tough, lol.

 

[JayP]

Whenever a fellow hobbyist mentions stands, I always have to do my due diligence and give a shoutout to the Archea lineup. I’ve owned multiple UNS stands, and each one I’ve given away for free just to rid of them, because they have been so poor quality for the excruciatingly high price you’re paying.

Archea stands feel as if they are twice as thick as the veneer/particle board UNS uses for theirs… and are half the price.

Anyway, that is my Archea rant. I hope you find a suitable stand! Stand shopping can be tough, lol.

I was lumping Archaea in with ADA since that is what Aqua Forest Aquarium pairs up with ADA tanks. Good to hear they are high quality because the price does look better than others. Also good to know UNS might not be as good as I thought. Exactly the kind of responses I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[Schrute66]

Although I don’t have an Archea stand, I agree with @DutchMuch on the UNS stands. I have one and while it is just the right size for my application and I think it looks really good, I’m disappointed in the quality. And no leveling feet

 

[Koan]

Or you could get @Naturescapes_Rocco to build you one






Or building tips from @Pepere

 

[JayP]

And no leveling feet

Oh! I didn't even realize the UNS stands had no leveling feet. That's a deal breaker by itself.

 

[Koan]

I'm personally a fan of furniture and antique sideboards as cabinets, or flat pack kitchen island carts

 

[JayP]

Or you could get Rocco to build you one

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Now see, that's what I was going for with my first stand but it doesn't look even close to that nice. One issue I have is that the quality of plywood available near me isn't as nice as I would like. Even with adjustable hinges, there's only so much you can do when the plywood is bowed. These are the best pieces I could find.

 

[Koan]

only so much you can do when the plywood is bowed.

These guys do cabinet grade plywood in St Louis, not a super quick drive from you but they may ship to your area you could ask about getting a few sheets on a truck

 

[JayP]

These guys do cabinet grade plywood in St Louis, not a super quick drive from you but they may ship to your area you could ask about getting a few sheets on a truck

Might be worth a road trip one of these days to bring back a few sheets. It's less than a 3 hour drive.

 

[gnatster]

I've been investigating Aluminum T-slot stands. Strong, waterproof, lightweight, and customizable. The drawback is the industrial design.

 

[Koan]

Innovative Marine has a line of pretty cool aluminum flat-pack stands

 

[JayP]

I've been investigating Aluminum T-slot stands. Strong, waterproof, lightweight, and customizable. The drawback is the industrial design.

I also thought about this, though T-Slot material isn't cheap. I've seen it listed on FB Marketplace for discounted price though. Like you, the issue I have is I want a softer look, so I would want to use the T-slot only as a skeleton and would have to figure out a good way to wrap it in plywood or something similar. Waterbox stands have a t-slot skeleton but it's narrow t-slot (at least for the tanks under 50 gallons) and it just isn't as stable as I would like. Their panels are also cheaper. and people complain about stripped screws on hinges, although I haven't had that yet. Love their tanks though.