By Justin Clarke, Owner & General Manager
When purchasing an aquarium, most people need somewhere to display it in their home. Here at Moby Dick Pet Store, we stock stands to fit from a 10-gallon tank up to a 210-gallon tank. When adding an aquarium to your home with a stand, you will be transitioning a piece of furniture to a living piece of your home and it is important to take several things into account when doing so.
- Stands for 10- to 210-gallon tanks
- Poplar hardwood stands in stock
- Custom stands in many woods and colors
In This Guide
When looking at stands, it is important to ask the following questions before making a decision:
Question 1 of 6
What material is the stand made of?
Aquarium stands traditionally are made of different types of wood or metal, but the types of wood and metal will vary greatly. At Moby Dick Pet Store, we carry both wood and metal stands, but we never recommend metal stands for a saltwater aquarium.
Moby Dick tip: Planning a saltwater or reef tank? Choose a wood stand. We never recommend metal stands for saltwater aquariums.
Question 2 of 6
If the stand is made of wood, what type of wood is the stand made with?
Wood stands can be made of pressed wood, particle board, high-density fiber board, or hardwood. Pressed wood, particle board, and high-density fiber board are all types of wood that are bonded or glued together using wood particles, chips or sawdust. These types of stands are traditionally covered with a laminate for color and protection. Unfortunately, all of these types of stands are very susceptible to water damage. When they get wet, water can seep into the seams of the laminate and begin to break apart the glue holding the stand together.
Stands made of hardwood are not vulnerable to this type of damage, as the wood itself is not being held together by any bond or glue. At Moby Dick Pet Store, we traditionally stock stands made of poplar wood, but can special order custom stands made in many different types of wood.
Question 3 of 6
Is this the correct stand for your type of aquarium?
While stands can be made out of different materials, so can aquariums. If your aquarium is made of acrylic, there must be a flat surface under the entirety of the aquarium to prevent the aquarium from bowing. This is not a requirement with glass aquariums, as it is just important to support the corners and edges so the top of the stand can be open. If your aquarium is frameless, we recommend a flat top for the aquarium to rest on despite the material of the aquarium.
Question 4 of 6
Is the stand assembled or does it require assembly?
Some stands are broken down and require assembly utilizing camlocks or fastening tools. While this allows stands to be packaged more compactly, it also leaves room for assembly errors. Hardwood stands are built with outdoor-rated screws and provide a significantly stronger, more durable structure for your aquarium to rest on.
Question 5 of 6
What amenities does the stand have to offer?
Stands that are manufactured do not allow for any customization. If you want a shelf in the stand, if you want slow close hinges, if you want a canopy to match, if you need doors on the side as well as the front; these are all options that our stands are either already built with or allow customization for. Making an aquarium stand work for you in as many ways as it can helps make the hobby even more fun.
Question 6 of 6
Is the stand stained or painted?
It is very important to not only make sure that your stand is stained or painted but to also make sure there is some sort of protective clear coat over everything. This will not only further the stand’s protection from water but also help protect against minor scuffs caused by kids, animals, or just general exposure to a home or business environment.
At Moby Dick Pet Store, not only can we have any custom stand built that you want, we can also make sure the color of the stand represents what would fit best into your home or business. While we stock a variety of colors in the store, we can also custom build stands to match your existing furniture in your home or business.
To learn more, reach out anytime to our team at (248) 673-2520.
Want a Stand Built for Your Tank?
Tell us your tank size, the room it’s going in and the features you want. We’ll help you choose a stock stand or build a custom one.
Stay tuned next time when we discuss metal aquarium stands!
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