inexpensive diy 45 gallon planted tank setup

cmc29

Hello everyone,

Finally beginning the new tank by starting with the stand. I began building it today and i still need to do all the finish work (i.e. putty,filling, sanding, trimming, staining, etc); but structurally it's very solid. I used a simple design that i modified to fit my specifications. I have some pictures that i took on my phone( i apoligize for the quality, but it's the thought that counts, right?). I had the 2x4's, plywood, top, screws, and all the tools required. I'm planning on finishing it slowly over the next week or so, as life does not allow me a lot of free time.

I'm doing this whole project low budget, by basically just upgrading from my current 29 gallon planted, to the 45 gallon that i purchased back in febuary off craigs list. I have all the live plants i need ( and some...lol). I have pictures of my 29 gallon up for viewing here.

I haven't been on here in a while and i'm looking forward to sharing my new setup as it evolves into whatever it may. More pictures will be coming soon.

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cmc29

Today i hung the doors on the stand. Now i'm just waiting on my wife to bring the trim back with her from her father's old photography studio. So far i've used only material from there and some supplies we had laying around in the garage after decades of construction work. She's headed down there this weekend, so i should be able to finish up the stand on monday or tuesday. Although it may be a bit longer as the finishing touches are the most time consuming part. Then i'll begin to really start to work on my new tank, by transplanting all my existing plants to their new home.

Anyway, here are a couple more pics. This time of the tank as i bought it, and after i cleaned it up.

The tank was 65 dollars and came with a glass top and a brand new python set up that made my life much easier! I spent 22 dollars for the oak panel board for the outside of the stand. So to date; i'm in my project for $87. I'm using my lighting from my existing tank with some slight mods, and i have a brand new fluval 305 canister that was given to me. I have a diy CO2 system in place as well in my existing tank. I only need to purchase the substrate. I am currently using flourite blackin my smaller tank , but am going a different route with this new tank.

Hope to have more to show everyone very soon.

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cmc29

Alright here it is.

I still need to do some more trim work, stain work etc. But i couldn't wait any longer to set it all up. Everything i have left to do i can do with it up and running. . I posted pictures on aquariums tab so please check them out. I'm going to put more up very very soon, but i'm worn out and going to sleep now.

I'll try to finish the stand all up tomorrow, but i may go and pick out a couple of new plants to add instead...that sounds more fun.

Thanks for checking my little project out

kaxt

The stand looks great, the trim really adds to it. I love building furniture but I never really thought of building a tank stand.

The tank looks good too. Keep the pictures coming.