An aesthetically correct solution for placing several aquariums would be a shelving unit. This design is compact, so it does not take up much space in the room. The aquarium rack can be used in offices, halls, warehouses, at home, etc. Draw the correct diagram of the proposed design, choose the right shape and color, and then it will look advantageous in appearance and will last for a long time.
DIY aquarium cabinet
A homemade design, in addition to the fact that it looks much more attractive than a purchased one, will also help save money. You can also make just such a cabinet that will harmonize with the overall interior, decorating the room.
The cabinet is made based on the size of the aquarium.
Plus, you don’t have to worry that it will collapse under the weight of the aquarium. After all, when making a shelf for an aquarium with your own hands, you can accurately calculate the strength and select high-quality materials.
Design
The basis of any future model is the creation of a drawing. Based on the dimensions of the aquarium, you need to make a diagram. Experts recommend making the design in such a way that the tabletop matches the size of the glass container; a slight excess is allowed. It is better not to leave too large protruding parts.
Before you make a cabinet you will have to draw it.
First of all, it is worth considering that the cabinet must support the weight of the aquarium filled with water with all the equipment. When designing, every detail is taken into account so that the finished structure lasts for many years. An important point is the height of the product.
It is recommended to place a substrate under the aquarium container.
It is worth thinking in advance at what level the aquarium should be installed to make it comfortable to observe the underwater world. If you plan to place it in a rest room or living room, the optimal height of the cabinet, taking into account the legs, will be seventy centimeters. For bedrooms you can make it a little lower.
When drawing up a drawing, it is necessary to provide for the functionality of the use of this piece of furniture. You can equip the product with shelves, where you can then place food, aquarium accessories, and decorative elements. Depending on personal preferences, you can add handles and drawers to the design.
Use quality wood for the cabinet.
Optimal materials
An important rule when selecting materials is their waterproofness. Laminated chipboard sheets are suitable. Although natural wood looks more impressive, it is not the best material for such purposes.
Do not forget that the structure must be durable, and therefore requires strengthening of the rear wall. A significant part of the gravity falls on it. The canvas that will be used to create it must be at least twenty millimeters thick.
The aquarium cabinet must have the correct dimensions.
It is better to build it between the internal and side partitions. This will increase the strength of the furniture. Besides:
- For the base, the best option would be a metal frame. If this is not possible, a wooden beam will do;
- in order to avoid sagging of the future structure, internal partitions should be made every forty centimeters;
- Chipboard of considerable thickness is used as a tabletop. During fastening, it is necessary to accurately align the level around the perimeter of the surface;
- For the legs, the optimal material is metal, but you can equip them with wooden stands with good stability.
You can decorate the cabinet yourself.
Decorative decoration depends directly on the artist, as well as on the desired result. If you want your DIY aquarium cabinet to look light, without clutter, you can make carvings on the outer facade. If the frame is made of metal, glass decoration is appropriate.
A beautiful cabinet will decorate your interior.
Stages of creating a cabinet
After the drawing has been thought out and drawn up, the necessary materials have been prepared, you can begin to create a table for an aquarium with your own hands.
Use different materials to make the cabinet.
It is important to follow the steps step by step:
- Cut and cut the material. You can do this yourself by following the diagram. After the parts are cut out, you need to tape the cut areas.
- Base assembly. It is important to connect all the parts correctly, checking the angles. There should be no errors from the drawing. If you allow the slightest deviation, the structure will warp, and so will the aquarium.
- The elements are fixed using a screwdriver and Euroscrews. It is necessary to drill holes for confirmations.
- Tabletop fastening. Two holes should be made at diametrically opposite corners of the canvas. Next, you need to attach the tabletop, adjusting it according to the level. If there are no flaws, you can screw it on.
- Installing shelves horizontally, assembling drawers, installing doors. When equipped with drawers, you need to accurately fix the guides. The doors are installed using furniture canopies. Smooth opening and closing is ensured by closers.
- Leg fastening. At this stage, it is important to install them correctly and clearly along the edges of the frame. This will prevent deflections and help avoid subsidence of the structure. Also, heel pads are placed on the legs themselves so as not to deform the floor.
Use quality tools to create the cabinet.
Correct installation
When the assembly process is over, you need to install a work of art - a cabinet. First of all, the floor must be level. It is also worth considering that the structure together with the aquarium will weigh quite a lot, the system does not provide for movement. In view of this reason, it is worth considering in advance a convenient place for this installation.
Choose a place for the cabinet in advance.
In addition to aesthetics, you should take care of the technical side, not forgetting that the aquarium is connected to a power source. An electrical outlet should be placed next to the structure, preferably more than one. Be sure to place a substrate under the glass container.
What material is better to choose for construction?
Before designing a structure, it is necessary to decide on the materials of manufacture, not forgetting the quality requirements. A good cabinet for a 60-liter aquarium or for tanks with a large volume should be as durable and stable as possible, and have a long service life.
If ordinary home furniture can be made from any materials, then for aquarium cabinets it is better to opt for more durable and reliable building materials.
Wood and lumber
Laminated particle board has good strength and the ability to withstand heavy loads. Such materials lend themselves well to processing using simple, household tools that are in the arsenal of any craftsman, and they can be supplemented with decorative elements.
Metal constructions
The most durable metal structures are suitable for creating cabinets for large tanks or several models. Most often, home craftsmen use metal corners; they are easy to weld and create an elegant structure of any design that creates the illusion of airiness.
Accessories and fasteners
The service life of the entire created and assembled structure directly depends on the quality of fasteners and fittings. It is important to select these elements so that their visible parts are fully compatible with the design solution of other furniture installed in the room and complement the interior.
Important: When choosing a sketch and drawing up a project for a future structure, you can combine several elements using glass and polycarbonate for finishing. This will help to completely unique the design of the cabinet and make a real work of art that will fit perfectly into the recreation area.
How to make a table or shelf for an aquarium
Having decided to make a table for an aquarium with your own hands, you can use wooden pallets. It is not necessary to buy expensive materials; lumber, plywood, and chipboard are quite suitable. First, the frame is made; it must be stable and strong.
The shelf for the aquarium is easy to make.
Everything is simple here, you need to assemble two rectangular parts, placing one at the bottom, the second at the top. Four bars are used to connect them. Next, similar to assembling the cabinet, you need to secure the elements using wood screws. After drilling the holes, you need to tighten them with a screwdriver. The next step is to attach the countertop.
The tabletop for an aquarium can be made of different materials.
After installing it, you can begin creating the side walls and shelves. Which are made in the same way as the tabletop. You need to cut the required number of boards, sand them, and level them. Then the side areas are sheathed. Fixation is done using glue, self-tapping screws are also suitable.
Overview of varieties
There are many shapes and sizes of this structure. The design can be either a cabinet for 2 separate aquariums, or an entire 2- or 3-tier structure. The rack can become part of the interior, decorating the room (for example, if part of it is harmoniously hidden with decorative elements). In this case, the choice of material is also of great importance.
This design can be from:
Wood (timber);
Steel profile pipe;
Aluminum profile.
Where is the best place to put an aquarium?
When choosing a place to place an aquarium, it is worth considering that it is not recommended to place it in front of a window. Direct sunlight should not fall on it, otherwise there is a possibility of rapid blooming of the water. Also, placement near the door would not be the best area.
A light cabinet for an aquarium will easily fit into any design.
There should be a lot of free space around the structure, and there must be an electrical outlet. Fish do not like noise, so the aquarium should not be placed near the audio system. The best option is a quiet, cozy corner in an apartment or house.
Consider not only aesthetics, but also technical equipment.
The undeniable advantage of making an aquarium cabinet yourself is the uniqueness of the design, cost savings, and exact size matching. You can also use your imagination and equip the structure with various decorative elements, shelves, and drawers.
You can paint a wooden cabinet yourself.
The main criteria for determining the optimal placement of an aquarium with a cabinet are free access, the presence of sockets nearby, installation of windows, heating devices and air conditioning away from the place.
Purpose of the aquarium rack
The need to build such a cabinet arises, for example, when breeding fish for sale, because this is possible even at home. The advantage of constructing such a structure is the space saving.
You can either purchase a ready-made industrial stand to suit your taste or start making it yourself. In the latter case, you must be sure that it will serve you for a long time and withstand various loads. So, the rack will combine several artificial reservoirs of sorts.
