Just as the title says I have picked up some new toys ;) yesterday I was in the LFS with a a friend of mine and some one had a tank in the store. I asked if it was for sale and she said yes. I said how much, she said $30, I said ok. So for 30 bucks I just bought myself a very nice 50 gallon tank ;) then I went and picked up a Glo 36" high output T5 light on sale for 45 bucks, and my buddy gave me a filter and heater for it. Now I just need to build a stand for it and set her up.

But I do have a question. I plan on building a stand to support this on my floor in my room. My question is how tall should I build the stand? I do like have my 10 gallon at eye level on my dresser but I don't want to have 700 or so lbs of water and equipment that high, I'm thinking about 48" tall would be a good start for height. What do you guys think?

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"

a 50 gallon for $30?!?

wow, that was a good deal! good score!


I wouldn't build it too high, simply to make maintenance easier. that in mind, 48" sounds pretty good actually. not sure how tall you are, but that would bring the bottom to about mid-stomach height on me, which gives you room to reach over the sides easily

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My 30 gallon planted freshwater - CONSTANTLY CHANGING

I would search the internet for DIY plans for stands. Found mine there.

I dont know why I didnt think of that. I had an idea for a 30gal I have but I want something that is extremely sturdy in order to hold that much weight. But I also want something that looks good. My initial idea includes Angle Iron, flat bar, and some 2x2" square steel tubing, my new ide involves some 2x4s and some decoration pieces.

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"

Most stands are about waist level.And yes make it nice and sturdy.You may also look into building shelves and a place to put the hoses through and possibly a spot to hang a power strip.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Today was quite productive if I do say so myself I went to the shop to do some body work on one of our customers '69 Mustang. But I noticed we had four 8' 2x4s leaning against the wall... I loaded em in the truck and came home and broke out the miter saw and screw gun. Right now I just have a skeleton, but plan on adding a few more gussets, some fancy trim pieces and some doors ;) I cant decide If I want to stain it or paint it yet. Dont worry I took pics

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"

Nice thats awesome,might get a relative to do that for me!

Good job. Also good you have some wood blinds if it is staying in that spot. Direct sunlight will keep you endlessly busy with algae.

I'm not sure if its gonna stay there yet. Now I need to start making a stocking list... muahahahahahahaha ;)

I also would like to say that the stand is only 32" tall, and with the 22" tall tank and light on it it looks huge, so my original idea to make it 48" tall was scrapped. Just wanted to through that out there. And as for the stand I will be adding a few more things to it and will update with pictures as soon as I finish it. If any one would like the dimensions please feel free to ask. My tank is 36" wide, 22" tall, and 15" deep.

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"

Update: Yesterday I went and added some gussets for added structure. and now the stand is nice and sturdy, I also moved the tank and stand to different place in my room. Heres some pics Im still working on the layout of the decorations, Its a little bare still, but hopefully Ill get some new additions soon. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated :D



Heres my Mollies in there new home

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"

Looks good and sturdy. What type of gravel/substrate did you go with? Looks like shell in there. Also, looks like your lighting is good for plants. Do you plan to go with that route?

The gravel I am using is so large gravel we had laying around the house for the backyard, I cleaned out very good though, then I went over it with some aquarium gravel from my 10 gallon and sprinkled it on top, now it has a more natural river bed look to it which I really really like. And yes I do believe the lighting is for plants, but the was the only bulb the LFS had when I went down there, I wasn't planning on having more live plants but I think I may put a couple in.

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20 Gallon Long tank:
Glo HO T5 lighting
Tetra Whisper heater
Cheap Aquatech until Fluval 105 is affordable
Custom Built Stand

Currently the home to 1 pleco, 1 Fancy guppy, 1 pepper Cory, 1 feeder guppy

Planted with: Java Fern, Glossostigma, Crypt Parva, Bunched Hedge.

"Tell me I shouldn't even try, Tell me the risk to great, the challenge to hard, Say I Won't and I will"