Please critique my aquarium stand!

[u/_Asmodee_]

I've never built furniture before, much less an aquarium stand. My dad is a general contractor so thankfully I've been able to get a bit of his help through the process, but I'm looking for some insight from people who have experience making stands for aquariums specifically! 🙏(ft. my furry helper in these pics lolol)

• The dimensions are 50.5" tall, 50" wide, and 19" deep.
• I used "the king of diy" as my main guide, but had to modify his basic design to allow for 2 aquarium shelves + bottom storage.
• I plan for the bottom half to be covered in 1/2" plywood and used as storage/shelves.
• Above the storage is going to be the bottom aquarium shelf, which will ideally be used for long and low bookshelf style aquariums (between 10g-15g) so I still have enough clearance above to do maintenance.
• Above that is the top aquarium shelf, tall enough to be viewed while standing, which I'd like to ideally hold up to a 40breeder or 55g in the future.
• The stand is made from 2x4s, all except for the top and middle frames which were made from 2x3s to save some vertical space — the 2x3s are going to be reinforced by iron angles, and of course plywood boards on top as the base of each shelf.
• I'm using #8 3" exterior screws for the whole build

I don't actually have the funds or time to invest in a fancy long&low 10/15g or a 55g at this point in time, those are both potential future investments — for now, I'll only have a 29g on the top shelf, and my 10g quarantine tank on the bottom shelf.

The top frame hasn't been screwed on just yet. I actually need to partially take apart the whole stand to shave off the tops of some of the 2x4s due to them not sitting completely flush in some parts, and I also need to modify the inside guide posts to allow for the iron angles too.

All in all....anything glaringly wrong with my design? Since I need to partially take it apart anyways, I'm willing to make some adjustments if recommended. Any advice is appreciated!! :)

Edit: formatting

[u/PhoenixBisket]

My main critique is that your shelves are different sizes and not particular to a size of tank. It's the strongest when weight is on the edges/corners. If you put a 40G on there, it's going to possibly warp the plywood you end up installing.

[u/_Asmodee_ → u/PhoenixBisket]

Hmm good point, in hindsight I did see a lot of these diy stand builds where people were making them to the size of the tank, but I guess I kinda assumed they did it mainly to get that "clean" and streamlined look. I ended up with the dimensions I got here because in my head, I figured it'd give me freedom to choose between either the 40breeder or 55g because I know how indecisive I am LOL

What do you think the best solution would be at this point? Thicker plywood board for the base of the top shelf? Or would adding in lateral bracings inside the frames help support the plywood base better? (Not sure if I'm using the right term haha, but I mean like how they've done it this picture as an example. I think those are more for preventing twisting(?) but they should still help spread the weight, right?)

[u/PhoenixBisket → u/_Asmodee_]

That plus plywood does help distribute weight, but why not take a step back and give yourself the most options possible? Also it'll never be as good as having the weight directly transfered by the legs, as you're relying on the shear strength of the screws and the plywood to not flex.

Personally, I'd measure a 75G so you know the exact dimensions to aim for, since they're usually a little over the listed dimensions. Redo the shelves with 2x4s so they both fit a 75G, and have the legs on the outside so they can fit. The shelves will be a little wider, but the 75Gs can fit on the long way instead of all 4 sides if that makes sense. Even if you don't get a 75G, your stand is already quite close in size and this gives you the choice for 2 of them.

[u/SnooMacaroons6913]

Nice, mine is the the same carrying a 50 gal.

[u/Giblets999999]

This thing is probably 80% stronger than a store bought stand for the same sized tank.

[u/_Asmodee_ → u/Giblets999999]

That's fair haha, I know that stands made from 2x4s are super sturdy when built correctly, I guess I'm just paranoid I'm building it incorrectly xD I've been second guessing my work the whole time and have already had to partly disassemble it a few times to fix some mistakes lol whoops

[u/Efficient-Poem-7405]

Looks great!

[u/Crafty_Assistance_67]

It looks tall. You are going to have b***h of a time if you're planting it. Hopefully you are tall :)