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So we are moving and thought that now would be a good time to replace the tank stand that we currently have for our 29-gallon tank. With a limited budget I would like to get the best value. I found a metal stand made by pennplax but it was at a less then reputable fish store so I don't know if I should trust it. I have also found an article with instructions to make a tank stand from wood and cinderblocks. Any thoughts?

Cinderblocks and wood will work, quite sturdy if you get thick enough wood.
If the metal stand you're talking about is rods or thick wire, I've got one for my 20 gallon. It works but I don't like how the weight is concentrated on 4 very small points (ie: really mashes the carpet). There are also metal stands that use solid metal which is a lot sturdier looking and is often used for the larger tanks.
For a 29 I'd think you'll be just fine with the wood and cinderblock. My parents used to have that as our bookshelves they used contact paper to cover the blocks and did a wood stain on the shelves themselves.

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I'm in a similar position and am thinking about just building a stand for the tank...nothing fancy but sturdy...I'm figuring if you had 2 x 4 s cut legs, screw/nail them to a support frame on the bottom, and then also create a support frame on the top that the tank will be supported on and a piece of plywood (1/2 inch thick or so?) Then I'm figuring I would take some material I like and "tack" it from the top so it drapes curtain like around and hides the "ugliness" down below...well that's what I'm thinking, not sure if that would positively work, but I'm feeling fairly certain about it...I'll run and get Keith to come and comment, he would be the teacher who would know heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

take care when building your own stand though

Heidi

Very basic I will do a few sketches and E/m them to you in a few days

Keith

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I am really nervous when it comes to building my own tank stand because it has to hold so much weight (over 300 lbs) and we rent our apt. Do you have to take any special precautions when doing this?

oh goody, thank you keith

I don't know of any extra precautions you would have to take, keep in mind any stand you get has to be built And uh what the landlady doesn't know, won't hurt you

Trust me if my landlady knew each time I had a mishap with a tank, she would evict meit's pretty pathetic how often I've forgotten the python was on, released the python thinking it was secure, did a uhwater change via airline tubing, leak here, leak there, fight with a cannister]:|oops i didn't move fast enough with the python...yes, I have a list of times I've flooded the apartmentthere's only once that she is aware ofand that's because I also flooded the neighbors

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle