The ultimate stand

[snakeblitz33]

Hello everyone -
So, I am trying to start up some discussion on the forums. It's dead around here - so why not.
If you were building your own perfect stand, what would you include? What would you want out of it?
I would like a stained and polyurethaned finish, but more importantly... what features do you look for in a stand? Are you satisfied with stands that you buy from the big box stores? pro's/con's of getting a custom piece of aquarium furniture made?
Are there any features that you would want in the stand? Door open lights? wet seal protection? book cases? built in electrical work? built in ventilation? Built in insulation? What's your ideal stand?

 

[tonysearsjr]

ideal stand for me would have to have doors on 3 sides, to ease access, definitely build in electrical and protected, lights in upper and lower sections for working, shell for the price red oak but if was to splurge African bamboo both with only clear urethane and many coats to have thick wet appearance. canopy would have to be taller than most, store bought never have room to move in let alone work . lastly built in exhaust fans. frames i do are normally built from 2x4s then cover with the finish veneer

 

[travelerjp98]

My ideal stand would be none at all. I LOVE in-wall tanks.
I also like this idea:

 

[siptang]

Ideal stand equals maximum storage for all my tools and sleek designs to look sexy from out side.
You saw my sump from my txt seth. I run alot of things and I need space for everyt equipments to all the dosers to chemicals and etc.
Room is #1 priority for me.

 

[flower]

LOL...I would be ecstatic to have a stand like the ones 2Quills built, or the one Novahobbies is just finishing up....maybe since we are dreaming...one of each, since I keep two tanks. Those guys really made some dream stands.
Now if I were building the stand....LOL...I would be happy if it could even hold a tank without falling apart.

 

[farkle]

I can't stand the thought of having a typical one from a pet store so I just built my own. It's made from rustic cherry and bamboo. Soft close inset doors, glazed and cleared with conversion varnish.

 

[travelerjp98]

Welcome to the site, farkle, very nice stand! How to you plan to do the plumbing?

 

[siptang]

farkle - welcome to the site and that's one awesome stand! can you share little more details about your stand and your tank? I would love to see what's inside that cabinet and see what kind of room you have in there.

 

[mr. limpid]

I would build it out of composite decking. I have red oak stand my brother built for me, it has 3 coats of polyurethane sealer and my doors have still warpped. Also gavlvanized hardware because the standard ones rust.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Galvanized screws and hardware? Hmm, never thought of that. I've always used drywall screws - but I have had problems with them corroding in the past without a primer and paint over them. I guess on my next build I will have to keep that in mind.