DIY Cabinets for an Aquarium

Determine the dimensions of your aquarium cabinet by measuring the length and width of the aquarium. For example, a standard 30-gallon tank is 36 1/4-by-12 5/8-by-16 3/4 inches.

Add at least 1/2 inch to both the tank's length and width measurements to ensure that the aquarium fits on top of the cabinet. Using the 30-gallon measurements, the length and width dimensions of your aquarium cabinet will be about 37-by-13 inches. Use a standard 30-inch height for your cabinet.

Use a table saw to cut four, 37-inch lengths of 2-by-4-inch hardwood for the horizontal supports of your aquarium cabinet frame. Cut six, 26-inch pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood for the vertical supports along the sides and center of the cabinet. Cut six, 9-inch lengths of 2-by-4-inch hardwood for cross braces.

Arrange the horizontal and vertical supports to form the two rectangular frames for the front and back of your cabinet. Use two pieces of each length to construct each frame, laying the horizontal supports upright on their narrow sides parallel to each other and sandwiching the vertical supports in between. The edges of the vertical supports should be flush with the inside edges of the horizontal supports.

Drive a pair of 3-inch wood screws through the outside of the horizontal supports into the vertical supports to secure them in place. Measure the exact center of the horizontal supports and slide the remaining vertical supports between the horizontal supports at that central location. Drive two more 3-inch wood screws through the horizontal supports on both ends to secure the vertical supports in place.

Lay one of the rectangular frames you just assembled flat on the ground, and stand one of the 9-inch cross braces upright on each corner, aligning the top and bottom edges. Toenail a pair of 3-inch wood screws through the cross brace into the rectangular frame on both the outside and inside, countersinking the screws just below the surface of the wood.

Place the remaining two cross braces upright in the center of the rectangular frame, aligning them with the center vertical support. Toenail a pair of 3-inch wood screws through the cross brace into the rectangular frame on each side to secure the cross braces in place.

Lay the second rectangular frame on top of the frame you just assembled, aligning the edges with the cross braces. Toenail a pair of 3-inch wood screws up through the cross braces into the rectangular frame on each side using the same procedure as before.

Set the aquarium cabinet frame upright so the cross braces run parallel to the ground and the vertical supports perpendicular to it.

Use the table saw to cut six pieces of 1/2-inch plywood for the cabinet's walls. Using the 30-gallon example dimensions, you'll need two, 37-by-13-inch pieces for the top and bottom, a pair of 13-by-30-inch pieces for the sides and two, 13-by-37-inch pieces for the front and back. Measure carefully and cut the front panel in half down the middle to create the doors for your cabinet.

Install the side panels on the cabinet frame by holding the 13-by-30-inch pieces of plywood flat against the narrow sides of the frame, then using a nail gun to secure the plywood in place. Use this same procedure to install the back panel on the cabinet frame.

Lay the top panel flat on top of the wooden frame and use the nail gun to drive nails down through the plywood into the wooden frame to secure the top panel in place. Flip the cabinet frame upside down and lay the bottom frame flat on top of the frame, aligning the edges, then nail it in place.

Lay the cabinet frame flat on its back side so the open front of the cabinet is facing up. Install two metal hinges along the outside edges of each of the two plywood doors, spacing them each about 2 inches from the corner. Lay the cabinet doors in place on the front of the cabinet frame and screw the hinges into the frame to attach the doors.

Paint or stain your finished aquarium cabinet as desired. If you choose to paint the cabinet, apply a layer of interior-grade latex primer and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you choose to stain the cabinet, apply thin layers of wood stain using a soft brush and wipe away the excess with a clean cloth.

Allow the paint or stain to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions, then set the finished aquarium cabinet in the desired location. Place your empty fish tank on top of the cabinet as close to center as possible and fill it as you normally would. Use the cabinets to store equipment, fish food and other aquarium supplies.