Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand?

FragFarmer · 07-02-2009, 03:42 AM

A friend of mine is a custom cabinet maker and trim carpenter. His work is slow right now and I suggested he might look into building custom stands for aquariums.

How many of you would ever consider paying for a custom stand? You would need to provide the measurements and an idea of the look and finish you wanted. The stand would be built to your specs and shipped via freight truck to a local loading dock where you could pick it up. The builder could even travel to your location for larger projects.

bigjoe2531 · 07-02-2009, 09:31 AM

Hi, I am doing a 180. 72x24x24. I'd be interested in a custom stand, as long as it was reasonably priced. Let me know Thanks, Joe

TylerHaworth · 07-02-2009, 10:42 AM

I would for sure be interested in a custom stand at some point. Not now, as I am not in a permanent residence, but once I am into a home I would love to have a stand and cabinetry built to match the rest of my furniture.

jgking21 · 07-02-2009, 10:56 AM

My father is a carpenter and had extra time over the winter, I had him build my stand and it was well worth it! I only had to pay for materials, but would have paid for labor if needed. I got extra height and more room underneath by giving the exact dimensions that I wanted. I love the extra height so I don't have to bend over to see everything. The extra room makes it cleaner looking and easier to clean the sump/fuge area.

BarbMazz · 07-02-2009, 11:08 AM

I would definitely love a custom stand. I think a downfall could be custom pricing. If your friend could find a way to keep pricing reasonable, it would be an excellent business idea.

Maybe a good idea to have some basic stand designs that could be tweaked for each customer? That might keep design costs down.

FragFarmer · 07-02-2009, 12:52 PM

I came up with the idea after helping my friend work on some oak stair treads for a custom stair case. He's a master trim carpenter. I got to looking at his shop and Marcs (Melevsreef) custom acrylic refugiums came to mind. People have custom refugiums built to fit their stands.......... why not build custom stands to fit the existing tank or equipment?

Here is my friends website if you'd like to see his work:
Table Mountain Trimworks index

Wakeskater02 · 07-02-2009, 02:09 PM

I just bought one for $375.00. 36"X 36"x21"......They are so much better than the prefab ones. Plus you can get them stained any way you want!

Aquadelight · 07-02-2009, 02:25 PM

I would recommend you friend get involved with some of the auarium clubs in Colorado. My son in law is an enthusiast who lives in Parker and he says the clubs are always looking for people who are willing to do this type of work or help an aquarist who wants to learn to do it themselves.

Also, he might be better at it if he was an aquarium addict himself.

FragFarmer · 07-02-2009, 05:59 PM

I'm the aquarium addict and he's the carpenter. Anybody that might be interested would provide the measurements to me and give me an idea what they wanted (finish, wood etc..) and I would present the idea to Cody. Together he and I will decide how best to build, based on customer parameters... then we'd provide a cost to build the stand and ship.

csmsss · 07-02-2009, 06:25 PM

I'm a woodworker, so I can make my own if I want, but if I wasn't a woodworker, I would definitely look into a custom built stand. The standard tank stands they peddle with tanks are generally shoddy pieces of work made with laughably poor materials and fittings.

FragFarmer · 07-02-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmsss

I'm a woodworker, so I can make my own if I want, but if I wasn't a woodworker, I would definitely look into a custom built stand. The standard tank stands they peddle with tanks are generally shoddy pieces of work made with laughably poor materials and fittings.

You can say that again!! Those pressed partical board stands get wet once or twice and then crumble like a house of cards. I have one of those under my 30g display. I'll probably help my friend make a nice stand for my tank and then show off some pics here.

LilGreenPuffer · 07-05-2009, 05:59 PM

I wouldn't buy one. I'm going to get my dad to help me make one. If I had the money to buy one, heck yeah!

cheeks69 · 07-07-2009, 08:40 PM

I did, the tank/stand/canopy were all custom made. Not everyone has the room for the typical standard tanks and as csmsss pointed out very well not the best quality by the manufactorers IMHO.

jellyman · 07-08-2009, 05:25 PM

Buying a custom stand is the way to go. You get exactly what you want and it usually cost the same or less then the prefab stands.

Only issue I would see for your friend is anything that would need to be shipped would pop the price up to not worth it. Plus there is almost always someone local that can/does build custom stands. I know it is a pretty good side business in my area.

reef dummy · 07-08-2009, 05:33 PM

FragFarmer, here is a link to my custom built stand my friend and I did together. It turned out beautful and everybody compliments it when they see it. I am in S. Denver if you ever want to take a closer look.

So it begins......

By the way, it cost around 500 bucks.

View Poll Results: Would You Pay For A Custom Stand?
Yes	25	64.10%
No	6	15.38%
Would like one, but can't afford it.	10	25.64%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

07-02-2009, 03:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
FragFarmer Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster, CO. Posts: 220 View Gallery Karma Komment	Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? A friend of mine is a custom cabinet maker and trim carpenter. His work is slow right now and I suggested he might look into building custom stands for aquariums. How many of you would ever consider paying for a custom stand? You would need to provide the measurements and an idea of the look and finish you wanted. The stand would be built to your specs and shipped via freight truck to a local loading dock where you could pick it up. The builder could even travel to your location for larger projects.

07-02-2009, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
bigjoe2531 Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wakefield, Rhode Island Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? Hi, I am doing a 180. 72x24x24. I'd be interested in a custom stand, as long as it was reasonably priced. Let me know Thanks, Joe

07-02-2009, 10:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
TylerHaworth Torch coral Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 519 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I would for sure be interested in a custom stand at some point. Not now, as I am not in a permanent residence, but once I am into a home I would love to have a stand and cabinetry built to match the rest of my furniture. __________________ 75 Gallon Cornerflow ASM G-1X, 2x Phosban Reactor 20 Long Sump + Fuge with a Koralia Nano Quiet One 4000, Vortech MP40 Aquactinics TX5 ViaAqua Titanium 300w 105 lbs rock, 60 lbs sand

07-02-2009, 10:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
jgking21 Neon dottyback Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indian Trail, NC Posts: 674 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? My father is a carpenter and had extra time over the winter, I had him build my stand and it was well worth it! I only had to pay for materials, but would have paid for labor if needed. I got extra height and more room underneath by giving the exact dimensions that I wanted. I love the extra height so I don't have to bend over to see everything. The extra room makes it cleaner looking and easier to clean the sump/fuge area. __________________ They call me "JUICE"! Will work for Corals! Juice's 54 Corner Reef Juice's 25 Gallon Reef

07-02-2009, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
BarbMazz Madame Klanganator Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Near Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 4,052 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I would definitely love a custom stand. I think a downfall could be custom pricing. If your friend could find a way to keep pricing reasonable, it would be an excellent business idea. Maybe a good idea to have some basic stand designs that could be tweaked for each customer? That might keep design costs down. __________________ A Snail's Pace Beginning: an old lady's first reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post366161 ~not knowing how near the truth is we seek it far away~

07-02-2009, 12:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
FragFarmer Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster, CO. Posts: 220 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I came up with the idea after helping my friend work on some oak stair treads for a custom stair case. He's a master trim carpenter. I got to looking at his shop and Marcs (Melevsreef) custom acrylic refugiums came to mind. People have custom refugiums built to fit their stands.......... why not build custom stands to fit the existing tank or equipment? Here is my friends website if you'd like to see his work: Table Mountain Trimworks index

07-02-2009, 02:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wakeskater02 Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 621 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I just bought one for $375.00. 36"X 36"x21"......They are so much better than the prefab ones. Plus you can get them stained any way you want! __________________ --------------------------------------- 75g softie / LPS / SPS reef CPR Skimmer 36" Current Orbit Series fixture Fish Yellow Tang Scooter Blenny Blue/Green Chromis Yellow Stripe Maroon Bangaii Cardinal Pajama Cardinal Pair Cleaner Shrimp Corals Neon Green Tyree Toady Orange Lobo Green Acan Lord Green Acan Echinata Orange Acan Echinata Rics Red Flowerpot Tyree Green Leather Teal Birdsnest Red Monti Volcano Chalice Green Bubble

07-02-2009, 02:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Aquadelight Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 73 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I would recommend you friend get involved with some of the auarium clubs in Colorado. My son in law is an enthusiast who lives in Parker and he says the clubs are always looking for people who are willing to do this type of work or help an aquarist who wants to learn to do it themselves. Also, he might be better at it if he was an aquarium addict himself.

07-02-2009, 05:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
FragFarmer Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster, CO. Posts: 220 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I'm the aquarium addict and he's the carpenter. Anybody that might be interested would provide the measurements to me and give me an idea what they wanted (finish, wood etc..) and I would present the idea to Cody. Together he and I will decide how best to build, based on customer parameters... then we'd provide a cost to build the stand and ship.

07-02-2009, 06:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
csmsss Midas Blenny Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 98 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I'm a woodworker, so I can make my own if I want, but if I wasn't a woodworker, I would definitely look into a custom built stand. The standard tank stands they peddle with tanks are generally shoddy pieces of work made with laughably poor materials and fittings.

07-05-2009, 05:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
LilGreenPuffer Tubeworm Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 38 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I wouldn't buy one. I'm going to get my dad to help me make one. If I had the money to buy one, heck yeah! __________________ "I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away." Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

07-07-2009, 08:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,383 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? I did, the tank/stand/canopy were all custom made. Not everyone has the room for the typical standard tanks and as csmsss pointed out very well not the best quality by the manufactorers IMHO. __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

07-08-2009, 05:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
jellyman Limpet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lawrence, Kansas Posts: 136 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? Buying a custom stand is the way to go. You get exactly what you want and it usually cost the same or less then the prefab stands. Only issue I would see for your friend is anything that would need to be shipped would pop the price up to not worth it. Plus there is almost always someone local that can/does build custom stands. I know it is a pretty good side business in my area.

07-08-2009, 05:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
reef dummy Scopas Tang Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 432 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would You Buy A Custom Tank Stand? FragFarmer, here is a link to my custom built stand my friend and I did together. It turned out beautful and everybody compliments it when they see it. I am in S. Denver if you ever want to take a closer look. So it begins...... By the way, it cost around 500 bucks.

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