Nastena

An aquarium in the house harmonizes and calms the atmosphere. In order for it to give peace of mind for a long time and please the eye, the aquarium must be installed correctly and securely. It all depends on the size of the container. For a large aquarium (50 liters or more) you will need a special cabinet, which the owner can make at home.

It is important that the independent approach takes into account the harmony with the color scheme of the room, the functionality of the product, as well as its reliability. In addition, a homemade aquarium cabinet, especially using improvised materials, will cost much less than one bought in a store or made to order.

Creating a cabinet project

The height, width and depth of a special stand depends on the container that will be installed on it. Experts recommend choosing a height that makes it convenient to watch the fish while sitting in a chair or on the sofa. However, this depends on the wishes of the owners of the house.

When creating a project, you need to take into account the weight of a glass container filled with water and additional aquarium accessories. The tabletop of the cabinet must match the dimensions of the bottom of the aquarium.

It is important to consider that the structure can be used not only as a stand for an aquarium. When planning, you can provide shelves for storing accessories necessary for caring for fish. They may be closed. Open shelves can contain magazines, newspapers, souvenirs, and books.

Aquarium equipment and lighting

The cabinet is used not only as a stand for the aquarium, but also as an element that hides all the wires, equipment and elements necessary for maintaining the aquarium. The equipment that is in the cabinet depends on the volume of the container and the animals that are in it. First of all, you need a heater, which comes with or without a built-in thermostat. The best option is a heater with automation, as it will maintain a constant water temperature. The heater is most often attached to the back wall in a corner and covered with plants.

Another necessary unit is a compressor that supplies oxygen to the water. For this equipment, take a tubular sprayer, which is placed under the ground below the surface a couple of centimeters along the entire back wall of the aquarium. Air bubbles will be sprayed over the entire surface, which will become an additional decoration.

The third important detail is the filter, which comes in two types - internal and external. External structures are used for large volumes of water; they are more expensive, but show a higher performance. It is important not to forget about lighting, which must be provided at the stage of manufacturing the aquarium lid. It is also recommended to install a reflector; fluorescent lamps are used. To ensure a sufficient level of illumination for plants, it is necessary to select lamps based on the proportion - 0.5-1 W per 1 liter of volume. Special lamps are also sold for aquariums, which have a special spectrum of radiation - from warm yellow to violet and blue.

Selecting the material

The material for the cabinet must be durable and able to withstand the load. In this case, it is necessary to take into account moisture getting on the surface, which can deform it.

To do this, it is better to use waterproof materials : chipboard (chipboard), blockboard or laminated MDF (fine fraction).

Home craftsmen claim that the doors and shelves of a cabinet that is no longer needed can be used as material for an aquarium cabinet.

Varieties

There are many options for designs and shapes of stands. They can be divided into two groups: standard, curly. The most common are the classic varieties. These include the following options:

1. Square. These cabinets are quite narrow and tall.
2. Rectangular. This option is the most common. Such models are suitable for most aquariums in all respects.

Types of shoe cabinets, model features, useful additions
Somewhat less common are options designed for installation in a corner:

• corner - the tabletop is shaped like the letter “L”;
• triangular - the tabletop is made in the form of a corresponding figure, the sides of which are adjacent to the walls.

The rarest are shaped cabinets for an aquarium. Users are not very willing to choose them as the shape requires a suitable tank design. Usually they buy something more convenient that matches the size of the aquarium.

In addition to individual models, there are also built-in compartments in the walls. Any furniture set has a special recess for the TV. Some owners prefer to save room space and install an aquarium in this niche. This technique allows you to free up space in the room, but makes it difficult to clean and replace water, and complicates the maintenance of additional devices (filters, compressor).

Rectangular

Square

Corner

Decorating and selecting legs for the cabinet

The fittings and decoration of the cabinet depend on the preferences of the household. The craftsman can decorate the stand with carvings or other elements.

The legs or stands for the cabinet can be either metal or wood. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the structure and the aesthetic nuance.

To assemble the cabinet, you need to have basic tools: a saw, a hacksaw, screws, a drill and drill bits, and emery. The rest is added as needed during the work.

For a cabinet with an aquarium, you need to think through all the elements for installation in detail. Choose the right place in the room, lighting, accessibility to an outlet, take into account the harmony and convenience of its location.

Dimensions

The size of the cabinet is directly related to the size of the aquarium. The tank is glass, so any distortion or overhang can cause uneven distribution of loads. This situation always ends with the appearance of cracks and destruction of the housing. The main supporting element is the tabletop or upper platform. The successful installation of an aquarium of one size or another depends on its size and shape. It is customary to conventionally distinguish between three types of furniture:

1. Small ones. These usually include models that can withstand containers with a capacity of 70–100 liters. The length of the support platform is 0.6–0.7 m with a depth of about 0.3 m.
2. Average. On such models you can install an aquarium with a capacity of 120–150 liters. Their length can be 0.7–0.8 m, width - 0.3 m.
3. Big ones. These are stands for large tanks with a volume of 200 l to 300 l. The minimum height of the supporting plane should be 1 m. It is important to ensure sufficient strength of such a cabinet, since the load will be very large. Any distortion or sagging can cause destruction of the aquarium with dire consequences.

Popular designs of modern TV stands, placement options

Not only individual cabinets are produced, but also entire sets consisting of 3 tiers:

• lower - supporting structure;
• middle - the tank itself;
• the top - a lid combined with mezzanines.

Usually the capacity of such kits is very large. To ensure reliable support, the design includes additional reinforcing elements and stiffeners. The dimensions of such models are quite large, in length - from 1.5 m, in height - from 1.3 to 2 m. To install a cabinet of this type, you need a large room; it is not advisable to choose such designs in a typical panel apartment.

Small

Average

Big

Three-tier

Tips for choosing

The main selection criteria for most users are the size of the aquarium and the cabinet, as well as the combination of its design with the interior of the room. However, this is not enough for the stand to fully function. The following factors must also be taken into account:

1. Moisture resistance. The material must be prepared for possible contact with moisture. Insulating coatings are required. During the manufacturing process of the cabinet, a special impregnation must be used.
2. Resistance to deformation. The rigidity of surfaces is determined by the thickness of the parts and the properties of the material.
3. Strength. The build quality must match the complexity of the task being performed.
4. Presence of holes for cords. The wires and tubes necessary to connect the filters and compressor should be placed as secretly as possible. If the design provides special holes or channels for laying wires, the appearance of the kit will be much neater and more attractive.
5. Internal organization. Food, spare filters, devices for catching and cleaning the aquarium, care products, and design elements need to be stored somewhere. If there are various compartments inside the cabinet that allow you not to dump all the accessories in one pile, using the product becomes much more convenient.

Types of bedside tables with drawers, their purpose, main colors

In addition to these criteria, one should not forget about the size, cost and other features of the cabinet. The optimal option must harmoniously combine the necessary qualities and provide all the requirements and functionality. It is very important that the furniture is safe, especially if children live in the house.

Moisture resistance

Resistance to deformation

Structural strength

Presence of holes for cords

Convenient internal structure

How to make an aquarium cabinet

Some people do not find suitable options in stores, so they decide to make a table themselves. The task is not the easiest, but if desired, you can cope with it. The main thing is to familiarize yourself in detail with how to make an aquarium stand yourself.

You need to start with preparing for work. You should think about what shape the product will have, as well as what size is required. The number of compartments for storing equipment must be determined. It is important to note that for a tank with a volume of up to 100 liters, plywood and blocks will be sufficient. If the container is designed for 200 liters or more, then it is necessary to make a metal frame.

It is worth starting to prepare drawings, as well as calculating the dimensions of each part. If you wish, you can find ready-made drawings so as not to waste time creating your own.

You definitely need to decide what material to use for the table. For the back wall, you can take MDF or chipboard, the thickness of which is at least 2.2 cm. If it is possible to use natural wood, then the product will be of high quality and durable.

Assembly takes the longest time because there are many steps to go through. You can familiarize yourself with the approximate diagram to understand the principle of operation.

Subsequence:

1. The material is sawn into parts, and you need to focus on the drawing. After this, a frame is assembled from beams or metal.
2. The back wall is fixed to the base, after which the side walls are mounted.
3. The walls are fastened with confirmations, and the holes are made 1 mm smaller than the thread itself. The depth required is less than the length of the Euroscrew. Screeding is done using a screwdriver.
4. After collecting the box, shelves and internal drawers are installed.
5. The tabletop is attached, two through holes are drilled into it diagonally. They are pulled together and measured. If everything is correct, then you need to make other holes and also remove the confirmations.
6. The doors are attached using regular hinges. It is recommended to mark the installation locations on the doors and side walls with a pencil. You will need to prepare the recesses for the hinges using a round cutter. Once the hinges are installed, you will need to hang the doors and adjust them with screws.
7. It may be necessary to make additional passages for hoses and wires on the rear.
8. The cabinet is turned over on its side, after which the legs are screwed into the frame area.
9. If desired, you can use paint or film for decorative purposes. All materials must be waterproof.

All that remains is to place the finished cabinet in the chosen location and place a tank with fish on it. After this, you can enjoy the result and also check whether everything was done correctly.