How to Build a Fishtank Cabinet
- 1). Take the length and width measurements of your fish tank using a measuring tape and record them on a piece of paper. Add about 1 inch to the length and width of the tank to determine the dimensions of the cabinet. Plan to construct your cabinet using a standard height of 30 inches.
- 2). Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the length measurement of your fish tank cabinet, using a table saw. These boards form the horizontal supports for your cabinet frame. Cut six pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood using the width measurement of your cabinet minus 4 inches to serve as the cross braces.
- 3). Arrange two of the horizontal supports and two of the cross braces in a rectangular shape, placing the boards upright on their narrow sides with the boards of equal length opposite each other. Form an identical rectangular frame using the remaining two horizontal supports and two more cross braces.
- 4). Secure the two rectangular frames by driving 3-inch wood screws through the horizontal supports into the thickness of the cross braces. Measure and mark the middle of the horizontal supports and slide one of the remaining cross braces between them at the center of the rectangular frame. Secure these cross braces in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through the horizontal supports into the cross braces.
- 5). Cut six pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to a length of 22 inches using the table saw. These boards form the vertical supports for your cabinet frame, and you use them to connect the two rectangular frames you just constructed.
- 6). Set one of the rectangular frames flat on the floor in front of you and stand one of the six vertical supports you just cut upright in each of the corners. Position the vertical supports so their widest side is aligned with the horizontal support and the outside edges are aligned with the ends of the horizontal supports. Place the remaining two vertical supports upright on top of the center of the horizontal supports centered with the interior cross braces.
- 7). Secure the vertical supports in place by toe-nailing 2-inch wood screws down through the vertical supports into the rectangular frame. When finished, place the second rectangular frame on top of the vertical supports, aligning them in the same manner, and secure it in place by toe-nailing 2-inch wood screws through the vertical supports into the rectangular frame.
- 8). Cut sheets of half-inch plywood to cover the open sides of the fish tank cabinet using the table saw. Cut two sheets using the height and width measurements for the cabinet sides and two sheets for the front and back using the length and height measurements. Cut two sheets of plywood using the length and width measurements for the top and bottom of the cabinet.
- 9). Install the sheets of plywood by placing them flat against the wooden frame and securing them in place with nails from a nail gun. You may choose to install the cabinet bottom underneath the lower frame or you may use a jigsaw to cut notches into the corners of the plywood so it will fit inside the cabinet and rest on top of the 2-by-4-inch hardwood frame.
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Cut the sheet of plywood designated for the front of the cabinet in half, using the table saw, and install the two halves separately on the front of the cabinet frame using metal hinges. Attach two metal hinges to the outside edge of each half-sheet of plywood, positioning them about 1 inch from the top and bottom corners. Once installed, these sheets of plywood serve as the cabinet doors. - 11
Paint or stain your fish tank cabinet, if you desire, using wood stain or interior-grade latex primer and paint. When finished, apply one to three coats of clear varnish or polyurethane to protect the surface of your cabinet from water damage. - 12
Slide your completed fish tank cabinet into the desired position and place your empty fish tank on top of it. Center the tank so it sits in the middle of the cabinet top, then fill it as you normally would. Use the cabinet space below to store your aquarium equipment and accessories.
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