Repair Design Furniture

Making an aquarium cabinet with your own hands. Review of models of stands for aquariums, important nuances. Varieties: shape, size, material

Those who like to care for fish probably know that an aquarium cabinet should be purchased complete with the glass product itself. Manufacturers of fish tanks usually make the appropriately sized furniture ready for installation. If for some reason the aquarium was purchased separately, we suggest considering the types of cabinets, as well as the criteria for choosing a quality product.

When choosing a stand for an aquarium, you need to pay attention not only to the shape of the product, but also to its material. You should also not neglect the size of the product. The result of the acquisition will depend on the owner’s preferences, but it is worth considering in more detail each of the listed indicators.

By shape

Modern manufacturers offer to purchase cabinets in the following shapes:

  • rectangular;
  • square;
  • angular;
  • curly.

Curly

Rectangular

Square

Rectangular cabinets are considered classic, since most containers are produced in this form. This product is universal and can be placed anywhere in the room.

A square-shaped cabinet will be appropriate for a container in the form of a circle or square. Installing an aquarium on this model of cabinet will be simple, in addition, it will fit perfectly into the interior of a room with small dimensions. Such a piece of furniture would be well placed in a recreation area.

A corner cabinet means its location in the corner of the room. By purchasing such a model, the consumer significantly saves space. The device is suitable for both corner and rectangular aquariums. Using a cabinet for a corner aquarium assumes that it has rounded shapes that do not protrude beyond the model.

Figured products are made to order, according to the user’s individual sizes. The model drawing is made strictly in accordance with the dimensions of the glass container; this shape is selected to suit the style of the room and the specifics of the interior.

The best option for a small room would be corner tables fitted into a free corner. They will not take up much space, but a triangular-shaped aquarium will have its own design nuances.

When choosing a product, remember that the water tank should not protrude beyond the bedside table or hang over it - this is contrary to the rules for using a glass fish container.

To size

When installing a water tank on the surface of the bedside table, the product must stand level. In this case, the load from the container is evenly distributed along the entire perimeter of the tabletop. Depending on the displacement of the aquarium, the length and thickness of the top bar varies. For a cabinet for 200 liter aquariums, you will need a wide tabletop with a reinforced base; for a product with a volume of 60 liters, a regular cabinet will be enough.

According to size, furniture for a fish tank can be divided into the following categories:

  • small - these models include products designed for an aquarium capacity from 70 to 100 liters. The length of such cabinets varies in the range of 60-70 cm, the width is often 30 cm. The height of the cabinet depends on the manufacturer, usually it is made comfortable so that the user was able to go to the cabinet under the 100 liter aquarium and feed the pets;
  • medium - this includes aquarium cabinets with a length of 70-80 cm. On such products it is convenient to place a tank with a volume of 120 liters, as well as aquarium models with a similar length and a capacity of 150 liters;
  • large - models related to large-sized products are distinguished by their large length. They are available in sizes from 100 cm. When placing a 300 liter aquarium on such a bedside table, you need to be careful, checking the furniture for stability. It will also be comfortable to install a product with a smaller volume, for example 240 liters, on a large cabinet.

Most manufacturers adhere to standard length and width dimensions; only the height of the models may differ. It is advisable to purchase a panoramic aquarium with a stand as a set, because problems may arise with finding a suitable stand for such a large tank.

According to the material of manufacture

The materials from which these pieces of furniture are made must be waterproof. Constantly getting water on the surface of the aquarium cabinet will cause the base of the product to swell and be damaged.

Modern manufacturers use the following materials for models:

  • tree;
  • metal.

Metal

Wooden

A product based on solid wood is considered durable and environmentally friendly. Such models most often have a high cost and decorate rich and elaborate interiors. Often, wooden stands for an aquarium are made by hand and framed with original carvings. They can be made from any solid material, and can also be painted with varnish to repel water.

Chipboard models are distinguished by their simplicity and affordability. Often products are complemented by side open shelves or glass in the door area. Chipboard bedside tables are considered reliable, but it is not recommended to install panoramic aquariums on such devices.

MDF panels are excellent as raw materials for cabinets. Their main difference from previous products is the extensive possibility of decorating facades, which allows you to choose a model of an aquarium cabinet that is in harmony with the existing interior.

The last option is a metal cabinet for aquariums. This design is considered the most reliable of all listed, because metal is a durable material that can withstand any load. The tabletop of such a product can be made from any raw material. For example, a cabinet for a 300-liter aquarium must in any case have a metal frame, otherwise the base will not withstand the weight distribution.

Regardless of the volume of the aquarium, choose furniture products whose structure is additionally reinforced with metal stands.

Main indicators of practicality

In addition to its pleasant appearance, do not forget that the bedside table for the aquarium must perform a number of functions included in it by the manufacturer. To do this, there is a list of criteria that determine the practicality of the product:

  • moisture resistance - each material used in the design of the product must not absorb moisture. The constant use of fish food, the procedure for cleaning the tank and other manipulations lead to water flowing onto the cabinet. Manufacturers try to additionally treat chipboard and MDF with compounds that prevent moisture penetration;
  • tendency to deformation - among furniture products there are also those that can crumble into pieces with a slight impact. Keep in mind that the aquarium is heavy, and during operation the cabinet should not deform under load;
  • strength - the back wall of the product must be reinforced with metal racks. Using fiberboard alone will not be enough if you plan to use a 200 liter aquarium with a stand. It is best if not only the rear pillars, but the entire product is equipped with metal inserts;
  • holes for cords - it’s not bad if the future bedside table is equipped with additional openings for power cords and tubes. For example, it is very convenient to place a corner aquarium on such a product: you will not need to look for a way out of the situation where to place the protruding connections to the tank;
  • doors - think about the fact that all the equipment for feeding and caring for the fish must be located somewhere. Most likely, these will be shelves in a cabinet, so it is better that the doors cover them.

It is also worth paying attention to the thickness of the tabletop, on which the stability of the bedside table will depend. The photos presented in our material show that this value should not be small. Taking into account the main strength indicators, you can proceed to choosing a model.

Making the right choice

When an aquarium is purchased, it is worth thinking about where it will be located. It is highly recommended not to place the product on furniture items not intended for this purpose. Firstly, the furniture simply will not withstand the load, and secondly, it will not perform the functions required of the cabinets. We will tell you below what subtleties you should pay attention to:

  • displacement of the aquarium - depending on the volume of the tank, stands for the aquarium are selected that can withstand the existing weight. For example, choosing a bedside table for an aquarium - a panorama needs to be done wisely. Only reinforced products can withstand such a huge load distribution;
  • shape of the bedside table - if the aquarium is corner, then the model of the bedside table should be appropriate. It is hardly convenient to place square or rectangular containers on such products. A corner cabinet for an aquarium will be the best option for a triangular-shaped fish tank;
  • availability of additional devices - depending on the manufacturer of the aquarium, it may have various accessories required for its location. For example, the use of a 60-liter reef aquarium cabinet implies the presence of additional holes for tubes;
  • evenness of the tabletop - do not forget that before installation it is important to check how level the tabletop is. Usually, an additional sheet of plywood is placed under the cabinet itself so that the weight is distributed evenly. Some products do not have full doors and are made in the form of a stand. In such cases, the leg of the cabinet must be stable, and the tabletop must bear the entire load;
  • appearance - choose the product to suit your interior. If the room is made in strict classical colors, then the glass for the cabinet can be tinted; in the case of a romantic interior style, you can purchase a product with milled facades.

Having made the right choice, the consumer receives a high-quality result suitable for use over a long period of time. A beautiful and reliable cabinet will please the eye and perform its functions.

Video

Photo

An aquarium is an excellent invention, which is not only a wonderful addition to any interior, but also has a beneficial effect on the mood of the residents of the house. you can decorate an aquarium and populate it with whatever inhabitants you wish.

However, it is important not only to think through the design of an artificial home aquasphere, but also to prepare a place for its installation. An excellent solution to this problem would be to make a stand for an aquarium with your own hands. Of course, you can buy it ready-made, but a homemade bedside table is more preferable, because... you can make it the size you need and save extra money.

In this case, we will look at how to make an aquarium cabinet that is 106 cm high, 1 m wide and 45 cm deep. You can adjust its dimensions to suit the dimensions of your aquarium; this will not affect the order of operation.

This bedside table for an aquarium will have 2 hinged doors and an upper hinged box. This box will have built-in lighting. The box itself is attached to the side walls of the bedside table. It is much easier to make an aquarium cabinet with your own hands if you have previously drawn up a drawing indicating all the structural elements and overall dimensions. You can refer to the finished drawing shown in the following image: Fig. 1.

The bedside table for the aquarium can be made of wood board, MDF or laminated chipboard.

Non-laminated materials cannot be used.

Moisture from the container will inevitably fall onto the bedside table when you add water, catch fish, etc. When exposed to moisture, non-laminated surfaces deteriorate quite quickly. As a result, the aquarium itself may be damaged. For the same reason, the interfaces of all parts, ends and all kinds of sockets with fasteners must be varnished several times.

Prepare the tools that will allow you to make an aquarium bedside table:

  • milling machine;
  • circular saw;
  • clamps;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill.

If you want to make an aquarium cabinet that will retain its original characteristics for many years, spare no expense on high-quality materials and fittings. Buy the following:

  • 18 mm thick wood slab, shelves and walls will be made from it;
  • the same slab, but 38 mm thick, you will use it to create load-bearing elements;
  • piano loop;
  • decorative wax (you can use furniture varnish);
  • wooden dowels;
  • self-tapping screws and self-tapping screws;
  • handles for bedside tables;
  • wood glue.

Take your own or a previously submitted ready-made drawing and cut the boards into pieces of the required size. Use a circular saw for this. With the same tool you will make ridges and grooves for the mates. The main load will fall on the side walls of the structure, so they must be made of boards with a thickness of at least 38 mm.

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Beginning of work

By following these simple rules, you will make an excellent aquarium cabinet that will serve you for many years and be easy to use. First of all, keep in mind that there must be holes in the back wall of the structure. Electrical cords and external filter hoses will pass through them.

The cabinet must have stiffening ribs. They are installed in increments of 40 cm along the length of the structure. Stiffening ribs will make the structure more durable and it will not sag. The aquarium with all its contents will put a lot of pressure on the stand. If you do not follow the following recommendation, you simply will not be able to open the doors, because... they will be sandwiched between the bottom and top of the nightstand. To prevent this from happening, make a gap of several millimeters wide between the doors and the top cover of the bedside table.

If you plan to install a very heavy aquarium on a homemade cabinet, then it is better to make it without legs and place it on a perfectly flat surface, laying foam, linoleum or a rubber mat.

The standard height of an aquarium cabinet is 600-700 mm. Try not to deviate from this value. The top of the cabinet should be the same length as the aquarium, or better yet, protrude slightly. 5-10 mm on each side will be enough. Most often, laminated chipboard is used to make homemade bedside tables, because... This material tolerates moisture well. The countertop can be taken from an old kitchen unit, and the shelves and doors can be taken from an unnecessary cabinet. To prevent the board from delaminating over time, cover its edges with melamine edge.

Instead of chipboard, you can use natural solid wood as cladding. It must first be sanded and varnished. Natural wood has a longer service life because... it withstands moisture much better.

The interior space of the aquarium cabinet can be put to good use. Install several shelves for various small items. If you are making doors (and this is highly desirable), buy handles and awnings in advance. On the shelves you can store all kinds of accessories for caring for the aquarium and its inhabitants.

Before you start assembling the aquarium cabinet, be sure to check the condition and make sure that the floor is level in the place where you are going to place the finished cabinet. If everything is fine with it, you can start working. If the floor is uneven, then you will have to level it or select a more suitable surface for installing the aquarium.

If your aquarium weighs relatively little, you can equip the bedside table with legs that can be adjusted in height. This will also solve the problem.

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Step-by-step assembly instructions

To make work go faster and more fun, invite an assistant. During the process of assembling the cabinet, many parts will need to be held suspended and connected at the same time, so an extra pair of hands will definitely not hurt you.

Take a saw and prepare tongues and grooves for the back of the cabinet in the middle lid, sides and bottom of the structure. Also, grooves need to be made in the blanks of the upper box. This is best done with a circular saw. If you don’t have one, a milling machine will do.

Take 2 pieces of the top corner of the back wall and glue them together. This corner will be installed behind the lighting module. Take clamps, pull the strips together and let them dry. Screw the plinth bars to the bottom of the future bedside table. Use 38mm thick bars. The finished structure will stand on them.

Next, you need to screw 18mm thick slabs to the inner surfaces of the side walls of the homemade bedside table. A middle cover will be installed on these slabs. The front edges of the parts need to be installed so that they are flush with the edges of the middle lid of the bedside table and its bottom, and the rear edges are flush with the inner edge of the groove for the back cover.

Glue the middle lid and bottom to the inner center partition. The bedside table should have several internal partitions located at a distance of about 30-40 cm from each other, depending on the length of the tabletop and the weight of the aquarium.

Take the back wall and insert its lower part into the groove of the bottom. Attach 1 of the side walls to the bottom. It also needs to be attached to the middle cover. To do this you will need dowels attached to glue. At the same time, guide the back wall of the cabinet into the side groove. Next, you will need to take the corner and attach it to the top of the side panel, using the same dowels and glue. The upper module of the bedside table will later rest on this corner. Do the same with the second side wall of the aquarium cabinet.

The next stage is assembling the top box. Assemble the structure and install the lighting. The part that will face the water must be made of frosted glass. The assembled box is attached to the bedside table using a piano hinge, so that in the future it can be easily folded back.

Cut blanks for doors measuring 433x494 mm from the carpentry board. Mark the hinge slots and make holes. Attach the finished doors to the side walls of the nightstand on the hinges using four hinges.

Install a water purification system and a compressor in the bedside table. You can also place the backlight control panel there. All kinds of tubes and wires must be routed through a 2.5x5 cm groove in the lid. Cover the finished bedside table with several layers of furniture varnish.

Many people love to watch the bright and colorful underwater world. Therefore, aquariums are quite often found in modern interiors of apartments and country houses.

It is believed that aquarium fish have a beneficial effect on the human psyche, helping to relieve stress and relax after a hard day at work.

If you decide to install a small aquarium with 50 or 70 liters of water, it can be placed on any surface: or even on a wide windowsill. But, if the volume of the aquarium varies from 100 to 200 liters of water, you will need to think about installing a special one for the aquarium.

It can be purchased at the store. But this option will not always meet all buyer requirements. Most likely, you will not find a ready-made version of the desired color, size, design features or design. Then you can make an aquarium stand yourself. This way, you will not only build the ideal option for you, but also save your own savings. In this article we will look at how to properly make a stand for an aquarium designed for 200 liters of water.

Having decided to make cabinets for an aquarium with your own hands, you need to carefully select consumables. Over time, a heavy aquarium can bend the weak structure of the furniture and deform it if the load exerted is not first calculated. WITH Experts recommend choosing the following materials for its manufacture:


All of the above materials not only cope well with heavy loads, but also have the correct structure.

In any case, when assembling a cabinet for a large aquarium, you will need to take care of reinforcing the back wall. To do this, the structure is reinforced with metal corners under.

If we are talking about an aquarium of 200-300 liters, to make a cabinet you will need to make a rigid metal frame.

Attention: Large aquariums cannot use glass tops. Since they simply will not withstand heavy loads and will crack over time.

Drawing with dimensions

Before manufacturing and assembling a cabinet for an aquarium designed for 200 liters of water, you will need to make a competent drawing with the following parameters:

  • The optimal height of the cabinet should vary between 60-70 cm.
  • The horizontal dimensions of the product are calculated taking into account the length and width of the aquarium itself.
  • Vertical internal partitions are installed at a distance of 30 to 50 cm. Such actions will prevent the tabletop from bending under the heavy weight of water.
  • When making the tabletop, 22 mm chipboard is selected.

Additional requirements:

  • the cabinet must easily cope with the loads placed on it and must support a weight greater than the weight of the aquarium;
  • for a 200-liter aquarium, a metal frame is made near the cabinet, which will take on the entire main load;
  • Models where the size of the tabletop is equal to the size of the bottom of the aquarium will look neat.
  • Metal corners are installed under the tabletop cover.

The drawing must indicate all the holes for wires and hoses that are made in the rear wall.

Attention: It is necessary to choose moisture-resistant materials as a countertop. Since from time to time, drops of water will still fall on the surface of the cabinet and cause its damage. It is also worth considering that for a large aquarium, stands are not made on legs or wheels. The most stable products are those installed directly on the floor.

Tools and materials

The following tools will be useful when assembling an aquarium cabinet:

  • milling machine;
  • Circular Saw;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill with drills.

Materials you will need:

  • beam;
  • paints and varnishes;
  • fittings and guides.

How to make a 200 liter stand?

The manufacture and assembly of a cabinet for a large aquarium is carried out in the following sequence:


Advice: To ensure that cabinet doors close smoothly, it is better to choose canopies with closers.

The final touch after assembling a piece of furniture is its proper installation. When installing the cabinet, the floor surface is checked for evenness. It is also worth considering the presence of nearby outlets. After all, the aquarium has lights, filters, heaters and other accessories powered by 220 V. Keep in mind that when installing the aquarium on a cabinet, you should take care of the substrate.

Photo

As a result, you will receive functional furniture, ideas for decorating which can be seen in the following photos:

Useful video

The detailed process of manufacturing, assembling and installing light for an aquarium can be seen in the following video:

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that a self-made cabinet for an aquarium will allow you to admire the bright and interesting life of underwater inhabitants every day with maximum comfort. In addition, such a piece of furniture will fully correspond to your personal wishes and preferences and will cost several times less than buying a ready-made piece of furniture in a store.

In contact with

The aquarium has long been recognized as an excellent means of relaxation and relaxation. In addition, it is extremely beautiful and fits into any stylistic interior design. But, in order to preserve this beauty, a special cabinet for the aquarium is required.

How should a cabinet for an aquarium be arranged?

Many craftsmen themselves try to create stands from wood, chipboard, and make good forged cabinets for an aquarium, which look impressive in appearance and are well suited for small tanks. But often the inside of homemade furniture looks like a large box, which is not very suitable as a reliable support for a heavy container filled with water. In addition to its attractive appearance, a cabinet for a round or rectangular aquarium must meet several more important requirements.

First, prepare the floor well where the support will be installed; the surface of the covering should be free of unevenness and as smooth as possible. It is also advisable to make the tabletop of our stand not from a simple chipboard, but from laminated material or wood. It should not suffer from spilled water or sag under weight. The dimensions of the cabinet for an aquarium made of solid wood should not exceed the dimensions of the tank so that the load is evenly distributed on the vertical walls

The height of such a stand should not be large, otherwise the structure will be unstable. If you make a cabinet higher than 90 cm, then the back wall should be further strengthened. Large and long aquariums require even greater care. To prevent the tabletop from sagging, you need to install additional vertical partitions inside the cabinet. The free space can be filled with various shelves, which will only make the product stronger.

In the rear wall of the aquarium cabinet, closed from view, there are holes for hoses and wiring. This allows you to hide communications that go from the water to additional equipment. The appearance of the furniture only benefits from this.

The meaning, role and features of the aquarium cabinet

Nowadays, you probably won’t find a home aquarium standing directly on the floor. It is always installed on a special stand - a cabinet.

Of course, a 15-liter container for decorative fish can be placed on a regular table or on a TV stand. But, as aquarists themselves say, starting from a 50-liter jar and above, a cabinet is a must.

Moreover, this should not be a chest of drawers for linen sold in a furniture store, but a special stand.

What is this connected with?

But the point is this: the constant pressure of, for example, a 100-liter aquarium on the stand is so great that its surface can bend over time, and even a slight deflection will certainly cause the glass structure to break.

Simply put, the glass will crack at best, and burst at worst. Consequently, the main difference between an aquarium cabinet and ordinary chests of drawers or stands is the large number of vertical internal supports that do not allow the tabletop to sag.

The second feature is the material for the cabinet. It must be waterproof (especially the countertop), since when servicing a home aquatic system, minor spills of water are inevitable, and this can lead to deformation of the surface. Therefore, it is better to use laminated MDF (fine fraction) or chipboard (chipboard).

Is it easy to find a ready-made cabinet on sale that meets all these requirements? Probably, for some standard aquariums you can pick up a stand in specialized stores. What if the aquarium is non-standard? In this case, it is recommended to make it yourself. Not a particularly difficult task for an experienced home craftsman.

Stands for aquariums, their types and manufacturing rules

According to the types of stands, they are divided by the type of material used and by shape. Not all materials are suitable as an aquarium stand. There are welded metal stands for aquariums; it is not recommended to use them, since an aquarium is an area of ​​high humidity, and metal tends to deteriorate and rot from moisture. It is also not recommended to use cabinets made of lumber and natural wood that do not have a moisture-resistant coating.

Based on their shape, stands are divided into rectangular and angular. The simplest in design are the rectangular cabinets; they also represent the classic shape of a standard aquarium. When making a cabinet of any size and shape, you must adhere to the following rules:


Metal stand for aquarium

Products in which the main frame elements (stands, legs, crossbars) are made of a metal pipe or rectangular profile are obtained to be quite durable. Such designs can support even the largest aquariums of hundreds of liters. Their legs are adjustable, which makes it possible to set the height of the cabinet, as well as adjust them in case of small unevenness in the floor plane. The remaining parts of the product, for example, doors or shelves, can be made of MDF, laminated chipboard, or made of durable tempered glass. These stands look great and serve reliably.

Corner cabinet for aquarium

We will describe a somewhat unusual type of furniture that helps fish lovers living in modest premises. High-quality custom-made aquarium cabinets look excellent; manufacturers know how to process the edges, cover the material with stains and varnish, paint the facades white, black, wenge or other wonderful shades. But the shape of the product also plays a huge role. Rectangular structures, due to their size, sometimes embarrass owners of small apartments. A good solution is to purchase corner cabinets for an aquarium.

Of course, in this case the tank should also be triangular in shape, which initially confuses some aquarists. If there is nowhere to put your favorite thing in the room, but there are free corners, then this option will be the ideal solution. Visually, you will get an excellent solution that does not require significant space and allows you to keep even large fish. There is practically no major distortion observed, maybe from a very short distance, and, what is important, the triangular aquarium is perfectly visible from all points of the room.

Design principles and dimensions

Project. Such work begins, of course, with a sketch and calculation of dimensions. When determining the height of the stand, it is usually assumed that it is convenient to observe life in the aquarium in a sitting position. Therefore, it is not advisable to do it above 60-70 cm (taking into account the height of the legs).

The horizontal dimensions of the cabinet are usually calculated relative to the length and width of the aquarium. For example, if the size of the tabletop is usually either equal to or slightly larger than the size of the bottom of the aquarium, then the whole structure looks very neat and attractive.

What is the back wall made of?

The main difference between an aquarium cabinet and a linen chest of drawers is that the back wall is made of thick and durable material (chipboard or MDF with a thickness of at least 22 mm).

This is due to the fact that it is the back wall that holds the vertical partitions, preventing them from folding under the weight of a heavy aquarium.

Many home craftsmen advise building the back wall between the side ones, rather than placing it on top. The structure will be stronger.

Frame. Vertical internal partitions are installed every 30-40 centimeters. They are the ones who protect the tabletop from sagging. Of course, the distance between the internal partitions is determined depending on the equipment that will then be installed.

Tabletop- a very important element. It must be strong, smooth, waterproof. It is better to let it be thicker than thinner, especially for large aquariums (from 150 liters and more). For such a weight, a 22 mm chipboard panel is quite suitable.

Drawing. Based on these calculations, a drawing is made with the exact dimensions of the parts.

Making an aquarium cabinet with your own hands

Preparation of parts. You can cut a chipboard panel into parts yourself, but it is better to contact the nearest woodworking shop or furniture shop. There, for a small fee, professionals will not only cut the slab, but also make a PVC edge at the cutting points.

Assembly you can start by installing the walls (back and side) on the base. First, it is recommended to connect the vertical walls to each other using side clamps and accurately align all angles and design dimensions. As they say, measure twice, cut once.

Fasten the walls It is recommended to use a confirmat - a Euroscrew-screw. These are exactly the ones used for assembling furniture. The main feature: to use the confirmat in parts, it is necessary to make holes with a diameter 1 mm smaller than the diameter of the confirmat thread. The depth of the hole should be slightly less than the length of the Euroscrew. The tie is made using a screwdriver. First, the box is assembled, and then the internal walls and shelves are installed according to the project.

Fastening the table top- a very important moment of assembly. When it is attached to the finished structure, there is nothing to secure it with in such a way that it does not move when drilling holes for confirmations. The main thing here is not to rush. You first need to carefully and accurately drill 2 through holes diagonally across the structure, tighten the tabletop and take measurements.

If the table top lies correctly, the remaining holes are drilled and the confirmatories are tightened around the entire perimeter.

Doors- a necessary element of an aquarium cabinet. It is better to hang them using standard overhead furniture hinges with a closer. Such hinges are usually used in the manufacture of inexpensive home furniture. First, the locations of the hinges on the side walls are accurately measured with a pencil, and then cups are cut out for the bases of the hinges using a special round cutter. After their installation, the doors are attached, on the inner surface of which the places where the hinge screws are attached are marked. The doors are carefully hung, and then fine-tuning is done using adjusting screws.

Technological holes. After assembling the structure, including the internal shelves, holes for equipment hoses and wires are cut out in the back wall using a round cutter. In principle, this can be done at the stage of cutting the wood board, but if changes are made to the structure during the assembly process, then it is better to drill holes at the end of the work.

Cabinet base. The finished heavy structure must stand on legs. Such legs made of thick aluminum can be selected and purchased at furniture fittings stores. The cabinet is carefully placed on its side and the legs are screwed strictly under the vertical surfaces. This is very important for proper distribution of the total load.

Installation. The finished cabinet is carefully installed in its place. It is selected based on the internal design of the room space. But it is also necessary to take into account the presence of nearby domestic electrical outlets. It is not recommended to install the cabinet and aquarium near windows, room and balcony doors.

Tabletop protection. The final touch: a covering on the tabletop, without which it is not recommended to install an aquarium. For example, a piece of laminate backing is well suited as such a hard and durable coating.

In this way, you can independently make a cabinet of almost any size.

Preparatory work (purchasing materials, designing and cutting parts) can take quite a lot of time, but a home craftsman can complete the assembly of the structure in a few hours. The price of a cabinet made by yourself will, of course, be much lower than the cost of products sold in stores. But if you have even the slightest doubt about your craftsmanship abilities, then it is better not to waste time and nerves, but to purchase a ready-made sample.

It is always interesting to watch the living inhabitants of the underwater world for both adults and children. The natural desire of every owner of ornamental fish is for the aquarium, which has a beneficial effect on the home atmosphere of comfort and tranquility, to last as long as possible. And this largely depends on how firmly the artificial reservoir is. So it turns out that the stand on which the aquarium is installed performs not only a decorative function, but also plays a vital role in maintaining the good condition of the aquaworld.

Nowadays, you probably won’t see one standing directly on the floor. It is always installed on a special stand - a cabinet.

Of course, the 15-liter container can be placed on a regular table or on a TV stand. But, as aquarists themselves say, starting from a 50-liter jar and above, a cabinet is a must.

Moreover, this should not be a chest of drawers for linen sold in a furniture store, but a special stand.

What is this connected with?

But the point is this: the constant pressure of, for example, a 100-liter aquarium on the stand is so great that its surface can bend over time, and even a slight deflection will certainly cause.

Simply put, the glass will crack at best, and burst at worst. Consequently, the main difference between an aquarium cabinet and ordinary chests of drawers or stands is the large number of vertical internal supports that do not allow the tabletop to sag.

The second feature is the material for the cabinet. It must be waterproof (especially the countertop), since when servicing a home aquatic system, minor spills of water are inevitable, and this can lead to deformation of the surface. Therefore, it is better to use laminated MDF (fine fraction) or chipboard (chipboard).

Is it easy to find a ready-made cabinet on sale that meets all these requirements? Probably, for some standard aquariums you can pick up a stand in specialized stores. What if the aquarium is non-standard? In this case, it is recommended to make it yourself. Not a particularly difficult task for an experienced home craftsman.

Design principles and dimensions

Project. Such work begins, of course, with a sketch and calculation of dimensions. When determining the height of the stand, it is usually assumed that it is convenient to observe life in the aquarium in a sitting position. Therefore, it is not advisable to do it above 60-70 cm (taking into account the height of the legs).

The horizontal dimensions of the cabinet are usually calculated relative to the length and width of the aquarium. For example, if the size of the tabletop is usually either equal to or slightly larger than the size of the bottom of the aquarium, then the whole structure looks very neat and attractive.

What is the back wall made of? The main difference between an aquarium cabinet and a linen chest of drawers is that the back wall is made of thick and durable material (chipboard or MDF with a thickness of at least 22 mm).

This is due to the fact that it is the back wall that holds the vertical partitions, preventing them from folding under the weight of a heavy aquarium.

Many home craftsmen advise building the back wall between the side ones, rather than placing it on top. The structure will be stronger.

Frame. Vertical internal partitions are installed every 30-40 centimeters. They are the ones who protect the tabletop from sagging. Of course, the distance between the internal partitions is determined depending on the equipment that will then be installed.

Tabletop- a very important element. It must be strong, smooth, waterproof. It is better to let it be thicker than thinner, especially for large aquariums (from 150 liters and more). For such a weight, a 22 mm chipboard panel is quite suitable.

Drawing. Based on these calculations, a drawing is made with the exact dimensions of the parts.

Particular attention should be paid to the presence in the project of shelves for equipment (external filter, power strip, places for storing aquarium accessories).

Making an aquarium cabinet with your own hands

Preparation of parts. You can cut a chipboard panel into parts yourself, but it is better to contact the nearest woodworking shop or furniture shop. There, for a small fee, professionals will not only cut the slab, but also make a PVC edge at the cutting points.

Assembly you can start by installing the walls (back and side) on the base. First, it is recommended to connect the vertical walls to each other using side clamps and accurately align all angles and design dimensions. As they say, measure twice, cut once.

Fasten the walls It is recommended to use a confirmat - a Euroscrew-screw. These are exactly the ones used for assembling furniture. The main feature: to use the confirmat in parts, it is necessary to make holes with a diameter 1 mm smaller than the diameter of the confirmat thread. The depth of the hole should be slightly less than the length of the Euroscrew. The tie is made using a screwdriver. First, the box is assembled, and then the internal walls and shelves are installed according to the project.

Fastening the table top- a very important moment of assembly. When it is attached to the finished structure, there is nothing to secure it with in such a way that it does not move when drilling holes for confirmations. The main thing here is not to rush. You first need to carefully and accurately drill 2 through holes diagonally across the structure, tighten the tabletop and take measurements.

If the table top lies correctly, the remaining holes are drilled and the confirmatories are tightened around the entire perimeter.

Doors- a necessary element of an aquarium cabinet. It is better to hang them using standard overhead furniture hinges with a closer. Such hinges are usually used in the manufacture of inexpensive home furniture. First, the locations of the hinges on the side walls are accurately measured with a pencil, and then cups are cut out for the bases of the hinges using a special round cutter. After their installation, the doors are attached, on the inner surface of which the places where the hinge screws are attached are marked. The doors are carefully hung, and then fine-tuning is done using adjusting screws.

Technological holes. After assembling the structure, including the internal shelves, holes for equipment hoses and wires are cut out in the back wall using a round cutter. In principle, this can be done at the stage of cutting the wood board, but if changes are made to the structure during the assembly process, then it is better to drill holes at the end of the work.

Cabinet base. The finished heavy structure must stand on legs. Such legs made of thick aluminum can be selected and purchased at furniture fittings stores. The cabinet is carefully placed on its side and the legs are screwed strictly under the vertical surfaces. This is very important for proper distribution of the total load.

Installation. The finished cabinet is carefully installed in its place. It is selected based on the internal design of the room space. But it is also necessary to take into account the presence of nearby domestic electrical outlets. It is not recommended to install the cabinet and aquarium near windows, room and balcony doors.

Tabletop protection. The final touch: a covering on the tabletop, without which it is not recommended to install an aquarium. For example, a piece of laminate backing is well suited as such a hard and durable coating.

In this way, you can independently make a cabinet of almost any size.

Preparatory work (purchasing materials, designing and cutting parts) can take quite a lot of time, but a home craftsman can complete the assembly of the structure in a few hours. The price of a cabinet made by yourself will, of course, be much lower than the cost of products sold in stores. But if you have even the slightest doubt about your craftsmanship abilities, then it is better not to waste time and nerves, but to purchase a ready-made sample.

Useful video on how to make a cabinet for an aquarium with your own hands: