If you’ve just purchased a new aquarium, you have a lot to think about. From the tank itself to the water filter, and even the decorations. Once you’ve created a hospitable atmosphere, next you’ll need to add your fish and get them settled in. Are you finished after this is accomplished? Not quite, now you need an aquarium stand to situate your tank upon! However, you have several options to choose from today, and picking out the best one can be a challenging task. The right one for your needs will depend upon the size and weight of your tank and your preferred style. After all, an aquarium stand is actually a piece of furniture, and you want it to match the rest of the items in your house. To help in this process of acquiring the right stand for your needs, let’s explore this topic in more depth below.

Specially Designed to Accommodate Weight

An aquarium stand provides more than just an attractive way to display your tank at eye level. Water is actually quite heavy, and you must add to that the weight of the tank itself plus other additions like sand or gravel on the bottom. When all of this is taken together, you can have as much as ten pounds of weight for each gallon. So, for example, if you have a twenty gallon tank you are looking at approximately 200 hundred pounds which needs to be safely supported! As you can see, a stand must be up to the challenge, as a failure can result in a terrible mess. That’s not to mention the fish which you’ll lose as a result. It is best to purchase a quality unit, to ensure you don’t have to worry about this type of unappealing situation taking place.

In fact, aquarium stands have been specially designed to carry this tremendous load, unlike most other pieces of household furniture. That is why you should never place your tank on another table or bureau, as it hasn’t been made to hold up this type of weight. If you have a small tank you may be able to get away with this tactic, but anything larger is an accident waiting to happen. Actually, most tanks have a disclaimer, which informs you that the warranty is voided if you place it on any other surface besides an approved aquarium stand. This alone should give you an idea of how specialized these units are, and why picking out the appropriate model is important!

Different Designs for Aquarium Stands

There are two main types of aquarium stands on the market today – open and closed. The open style is the most straightforward design, and it is usually constructed of lightweight material, rather than heavier wood. Because of their open layout, they have less structural support, and are therefore more suitable for lighter fish tanks. How much can they safely hold up? The rule of thumb is about a 40 gallon tank, and if you have a larger aquarium you’ll need a different option. Open designs still have some extra elements, which make them stronger than traditional furniture pieces. For example, they have a cross support along the sides and in the rear of the unit as well.

Your other option is a closed design, which is suitable for heavier aquariums. These are often fashioned from heavy duty wood which has been pressure treated, ensuring it can stand up under the load of a large tank of water. Not only is there a platform on the bottom, there is a second on the top as well, giving this type of stand maximum stability.

Your Choice of Materials

Once you’ve picked out the appropriate design for your tank, you’ll next have a choice of different materials. This is where personal preference comes into play, as your desired finish will play a large part. The most abundant options are wood and metal, as these are the strongest materials available at the present. If you want wood to complement the rest of the items in your home, you can choose from a variety of finishes. Often times an aquarium stand will be made from man-made wood products like press or fiber board, which is essentially small chips of wood held together by glue. If you have formaldehyde sensitives, you should avoid these options, as they have this substance within them. You can opt for a solid wood construction instead, though this type of stand will be more expensive. Fiber board units are usually finished with veneer to give it the appearance of real wood, and you can select any type which appeals to you. Cherry, oak, maple, pine, mahogany and even exotic options like teak are now available. These are sealed with a waterproof covering, to ensure that water from the tank cannot penetrate and ruin the integrity of the wood.

You can also choose a metal aquarium stand if you desire, for a more modern look instead. These have several advantages over wood units. First, they are a bit easier to clean as their surface is resistant to almost everything. While you may wonder if rust will be a factor, as they will be constantly exposed to water, they are usually treated to resist corrosion. Also, though wooden options are coated and sealed, over time they can swell if water is allowed to sit on them for long periods of time. You may also have your fish tank in an enclosed space, and this can cause a humid atmosphere to develop. The wood will be exposed to this for years, and metal can be the more durable option. Also, metal fits well with any modern decor, and will complement the other furniture in your home. If you have many stylistic pieces which feature metal and glass prominently, a wood aquarium stand will look out of place.

However, many people don’t prefer metal, as it feels cold and impersonal to them. If the rest of your home has warm tones and wood accents, then a wood stand makes perfect sense! Also, a wood construction has a stronger visual presence, and can draw your eye to the beautiful fish tank perched on top. As this is the primary purpose of an aquarium stand, wood may be the better option for you.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice will be up to you, and will depend upon several factors. First, the weight of your tank will come into play, and will determine if you need an open or closed design. Second, you need to determine if you prefer the warm feeling of wood or the modern style of metal instead. By taking your time and deciding what items are important to you, you’ll be able to select the perfect aquarium stand for your needs!