I'd stick with 2x4 and MDF or some type of paneling to cover the sides and make the doors out of. Plywood warps pretty easy and can be a pain to nail down. Maybe for the top it's ok, but to cover anything, I wouldn't use it (again.) It has a rough surface that doesn't look that great when painted.
For the door hinges, you will want to use something else besides your basic hinges. Cabinet hinges like this one are a little easier to work with and look a lot better. Plus they cost about the same.
One thing you don't want to do is over engineer your stand and have it weigh a lot more than it needs to. Here's my first stand that was WAY over engineered for just 2x20gal tanks. This one cost >$25 with paint.
Your stand looks awesome! Can you show me the blueprint of how its built? It looks very convenient to store a canister filter and air pump
So I bought eheim pro 2 2026 (used). Went home and try to figure out how to use it. Next thing I knew its leaking all over the floor after I prime it. Super frustrated!!!!!!
With a used filter, the first thing I do is find the manual and parts list online. If the parts are mostly there and the motor hums or vibrates, I order replacements for missing parts and new gaskets. Where I have new gaskets, I put it together and test in the sink. I still manage floods with filters I've had for years. I knock a valve off a hose or just forget to close one. This is the major drawback of canisters, IMO. It teaches you how to clean up water fast. lol. Hang in there.
With a used filter, the first thing I do is find the manual and parts list online. If the parts are mostly there and the motor hums or vibrates, I order replacements for missing parts and new gaskets. Where I have new gaskets, I put it together and test in the sink. I still manage floods with filters I've had for years. I knock a valve off a hose or just forget to close one. This is the major drawback of canisters, IMO. It teaches you how to clean up water fast. lol. Hang in there.
Luckily I brought it back to my lfs and they replaced the whole thing for a brand new one for the price of the used that I bought. Its running really smooth right now. Lol
Got the stand built. Added play sand. Using eheim pro 2 2026 filter. Fluval q1 air pump.
5 Neon Tetra
Linear Mode
