"Bill Stock" wrote in message
gers.com...

Yeah, I might have to go this way too. I think I'll go the standard 2*4
route and notch a shelf on top of the bottom frame, ala kitchen cabinets.
Other than adding a back and a top, what else did you do to prevent
racking?

It was a really solid base. No racking at all.

I see you used plywood, 3/4" Birch? What about finishing, Linseed oil
first,
then Marine varnish?

I was a beginning woodworker back then. Didn't know about fancy veneered
plywood. I used plain good one side 3/4" plywood, simple pine trim and
finished it with two coats of Varathane with the inside painted light blue
to complement the salt water fish. If I was to build a stand-alone unit
these days, the base would have cupboards in it and I'd likely use cherry
veneered plywood. Other than that I'd build it almost exactly the same, just
with better finish and more ornamatation.