"Bill Stock" wrote in message
e.rogers.com...
I was considering building a stand for a new 75 gallon tank and I've got a
few questions. I'm not so concerned about the support, as I am about
making
it look pretty and doing it economically. I'd hate to pay a bundlee for
the
wood and have it look like crap. I've done some woodworking, but no
cabinetry. So your cabinetry advice would be appreciated.

I built myself a stand once for a 125 gallon aquarium. Can't remember the
exact size, but I believe it was 6' L x 24" H x 18" W.

What I did was build a solid base out of 2x4's and a plywood top. Then with
the aquarium on it, I built a finished shell around the aquarium. There were
two advantages to this. The first is that I could easily remove the shell
(lift it off with help) if necessary for full maintenance on the aquarium
and the second is that a full aquarium is definitely wider at the top of the
glass then it is empty. The shell was able to move with the expanding glass
as the aquarium filled, not restricting it in any way.

My 125 gallon aquarium bowed out in the middle about 1.5 inches. A 75 gallon
rectangular aquarium would likely bow out close to an inch. I suggest when
you're making your design plans, you allow for this.