Custom aquarium stands have numerous benefits over their pre-made counterparts, which you’ll find in most big pet or chain stores. Of course, many people see the costs associated with building these custom options and wonder why they’re worth the extra price. Today, we’re here to explain four significant reasons why buying high-quality custom aquarium cabinetry is a must—and well worth the added costs of doing so. Plus, we’ll answer some of your most common questions to help you make the most informed purchasing decision possible.
But before we discuss those four big reasons, click the button below to learn about the custom aquarium cabinetry available from Living Art Aquatics. We design functional pieces of art that are strong, durable and perfectly matched to your aesthetic preferences.
1. Safety
Your fish tank stand needs to hold the total weight of your aquarium, and it should do so easily. This may not be a big problem when starting with very small aquariums, from 2.5 gallons to about 30 gallons. But the larger your fish tank is, the more important the strength of custom aquarium stands becomes for safety reasons.
Fish Tank Weight
Did you know a single gallon of freshwater weighs just over eight pounds? So, that 2.5-gallon tank will hold just over 21 pounds of water, but that 30-gallon tank will hold more than 250 pounds. A 100-gallon tank will be closing in on a thousand pounds of water.
That’s not including the weight of the tank itself, which can range between one pound and a few dozen pounds, depending on the size. You’ll also need to factor your gravel, décor, filters, lights and other accessories into the total weight. Once everything else is added, that 100-gallon tank can easily reach 1,000 pounds or more.
Long story short? Fish tanks weigh a lot, and your stand needs to support it.
Standard Options Often Aren’t Strong Enough
Many standard pre-built options aren’t designed to withstand enough weight, especially the cheapest options. The consequences can be dire if your custom aquarium stand can’t withhold the weight of your entire tank setup. The stand could buckle under the pressure, causing your tank to shatter. This can lead to water damage, the death of your livestock and injuries to your family from shards of glass. Those glass shards can be sent flying through the air, potentially harming anyone nearby, and will be challenging to clean up, leading to foot or hang injuries later.
Custom Aquarium Stands Are Safer
A custom aquarium stand will be explicitly designed to withhold all that weight. Most builders ensure the stand can hold your tank’s current weight plus a bit more for extra security. Don’t skimp out on safety; choose peace of mind with a custom option instead. Plus, you’ll receive the additional benefit of expressive freedom to add to your tank later without upgrading the cabinetry to do so.
2. Return on Investment
Choosing a custom tank stand may mean a more significant upfront investment, but it’ll be designed to last longer, too. This leads to a higher return on investment, which means your tank stand will cost less per year of usage.
For example, say you could spend $500 on a pre-built stand made chiefly of particle board with stronger wood or metal as a support. This tank may last you five years before it begins to buckle or warp because of the low-quality materials used. Once this happens, the stand becomes a safety hazard and needs to be replaced. That means your cost per year of usage for the pre-built option is $100.
Say your alternative option is a custom aquarium stand that costs $1,500 but uses the highest-quality materials. These materials are designed to last a lifetime, but we’ll say that the cabinetry lasts 20 years for this example. This means your costs per year of usage for the custom option are $75.
Although the pre-built option seems much cheaper, it costs you more in the long run because it doesn’t last nearly as long. Plus, you’ll know your family, home and livestock are safe in the meantime, as discussed in point one.
3. Aesthetics
If you’ve tried searching online or in your local pet stores for an aquarium stand already, you know that your options are severely limited. You’ll find your standard dark and light “wood” cabinets, some black and white options, but not much else. That can leave you feeling frustrated if you’re looking for something specific. Thankfully, this is another area where custom aquarium stands vastly outshine the alternatives.
Fit Any Décor
Are you looking for a perfect match for your bright red kitchen or blue and green living room? Need a unique piece for your rustic office or elegant dining room? No worries! Whatever décor you need to match, a custom aquarium cabinet can be built for it. With custom aquarium cabinetry, you can choose from a significantly wider range of materials, shapes, sizes and colors. The only real limit is your imagination.
No Limitations
Do you have a vision for what you’d like your fish tank stand to look like? Are there features you’d like to incorporate that you can’t seem to find in pre-built options? For example, you might want shelving above the tank or the stand to be shaped irregularly. Whatever your plan is, a reputable cabinetry builder can make that vision come to life! You don’t have to be restricted to cookie-cutter options when choosing a custom build.
4. Perfect Fit
A custom aquarium stand can be designed to perfectly fit any tank or any space. This makes custom cabinetry an absolute must if:
- You have an oddly shaped tank (which includes anything outside of a small sphere, rectangle or square)
- The space you hope to put the tank is irregularly shaped or sized
- You want to use the tank as a retaining wall or room separator
- The tank itself is oversized (and weighs a lot)
- You desire something uniquely you that nobody else will have
Of course, these are only a few prime examples. A custom aquarium stand is an absolute must in any situation where a unique size, shape or design is needed to perfectly fit a space or tank.
Custom options allow you to create unique designs, like this stand that wraps around the tank.
Living Art Aquatics Offers High-Quality Custom Aquarium Stands!
At Living Art Aquatics, we can design, build and install the high-quality custom aquarium stands you’re looking for. We can also design custom tanks for your stand to house! We’ve created dozens of custom-made aquariums and stands over the years, and we love a challenge! So, bring us your most unique, complex stand designs, and we’ll make your idea a reality.
All our custom aquarium stands begin with professional guidance, where we’ll walk you through all the potential options for fulfilling your vision. Then, we’ll design the stand to work harmoniously with your décor and tank. During this part of the process, the most important thing we do is ensure your stand will support your tank and perfectly house all its features. Finally, you’ll get to enjoy your custom build for many years to come!
If you want to learn more about the high-quality custom aquarium stands offered by Living Art Aquatics, reach out for a free consultation. We’re always happy to answer your questions and can’t wait to begin your new project!
Custom Aquarium Stands FAQs
You likely have questions if you’re trying to decide between custom aquarium stands and standard store-bought options. Below, we’ve answered our customers’ most common questions on the topic. We hope you find them helpful!
Why should I consider a custom aquarium stand over a pre-made one?
Custom stands perfectly fit your aquarium’s size and weight, match your home decor and provide additional features such as storage or integrated filtration systems. They can also be designed to meet specific requirements that pre-made stands might not accommodate.
What materials are commonly used for custom aquarium stands?
Common materials include wood (like oak, maple, or plywood), metal, and sometimes acrylic or combinations of these materials. The choice depends on aesthetics, durability and budget.
How much weight can a custom aquarium stand support?
The weight capacity depends on the materials used and the construction quality. Generally, custom stands can support the weight of the aquarium, including the weight of the water, substrate, and decorations, when designed and built correctly.
How do I measure my aquarium for a custom stand?
Measure the length, width, and height of the aquarium. Also, additional factors like the space needed for filtration equipment and any extra space for maintenance should be considered. The experts at Living Art Aquatics would love to help you accurately determine your sizing needs!
Custom aquarium options can come with storage options, like this lower cabinet.
Can a custom fish tank stand include storage space?
Yes, you can choose a custom stand can with shelves, cabinets, or drawers to store aquarium supplies, cleaning tools or other items. This can help keep your aquarium area organized.
What’s the average cost of a custom aquarium cabinet?
The cost varies based on materials, size, complexity and craftsmanship. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
How long does it take to build a custom aquarium stand?
The timeline depends on the complexity and availability of materials. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months from design to completion.
Get Started with Quality Crystal Lake Custom Aquarium Stands Today
Ready to find the safe, beautiful, durable custom aquarium stands your new fish tank deserves? If you live in Crystal Lake or the nearby Chicago suburbs, Living Art Aquatics is ready to help bring your tank cabinetry dreams to life. Call us today at (847) 737-5151 or complete the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you!
