If you’re new to fish-keeping as a hobby, there are many factors you may find yourself considering, before purchasing your first tank. The first of which may, indeed, be choosing which are the best aquarium stands for your needs and your home. Reading up and learning as much as you can about each aspect, therefore, becomes key to choosing the right aquarium for you and your fish.
In this article, we’ll be discussing all things fish tank. Whether it’s discovering an aquarium with adjustable feet for leveling or getting the right size, while searching out a modern tank stand to match your décor. We cover all this – and more – below.
The Best Aquarium Stand
Petco’s Imagitarium aquarium stand has been created to be a minimalist that can be placed into any home, thanks to its universal, sleek design. It is a simplistic but sturdy stand that can hold anywhere up to 180 pounds (20 gallons). Customers that have purchased this stand and have had time to test it out have been extremely please with it. The general consensus is that the stand itself was easy enough to put together, and provides the perfect display surface for a tank.
Some customers have even taken to having two tanks displayed on the one case, by splitting the 20-gallon maximum weight limit into two smaller tanks and having them sit on different shelves. The shelves provide the ideal storage space for food, cleaning supplies, and general aquarium care products. This product has also been designed with no feet, meaning it sits straight on the floor, making it as stable as is possible for a display case to get without screwing it to the wall.
Supports up to 180lbs (20 gallons).
Simple, sleek, modern design.
Easy and quick to assemble.
- Brand: Petco
- Weight: 13.9 pounds
Simple, stylish and strong. Everything you need in an aquarium stand without the unnecessary frills. That’s what you get with the Aqueon Forge stand – And with its simple 6-step setup, you’ll be proudly displaying your aquarium in no time.
And accessorized with reversible wooden panels to give you a choice of brown or black styling, you can pick the look that best suits your room. Its durable steel construction and rust-resistant finish will ensure that this stand remains strong and looking its best for years to come.
Ideal for smaller homes
Rust resistant
Sturdy, solid steel construction
- Brand: Aqueon
- Model: 100136620
- Weight: 15 pounds
Perfect for both aquariums and terrariums, and available in a full range of sizes, this Imagitarium tank stand is perfect to fit any of your tank-displaying needs. The adjustable feet and minimalist sturdy steel construction only add to its security and serve as further reassurance that when you’ve got your tank on display, it will be safe and sound in any space.
Sleek, simple, strong and dramatic. This is a design that will mirror the simple beauty of the tank displayed atop it. Standing as one of the best aquarium stands on the market, we’re confident you won’t be disappointed.
Modern and minimalistic
Sturdy
Adjustable feet for leveling
- Brand: Imagitarium
- Weight: 34.5 pounds
Deceptively strong, when considering its delicate and classic scroll design. This absolutely stunning metal tank stand is available in 4 sizes and 2 colors using moisture-resistant paint, so you can pick the perfect design to suit your home.
The smaller stands in the range can also boast a design that looks gorgeous from all angles and can be displayed from any side, as there are no unsightly hinges, welds or frames. Simple to assemble and stunning to look at, this is the perfect stand to mirror the beauty of your chosen aquarium.
Classic design
Open base
Moisture resistant
- Brand: Aquatic Fundamentals
- Model: AZM-102101
- Weight: 10 pounds
This designer biocube stand has been created to perfectly compliment the beauty of the tank placed on top of it. Hidden shelves inside the unit provide a discreet place to keep all of your tank necessities. So you can be happy knowing your display holds everything you need, whilst looking fantastic.
It’s sleek and sturdy construction, with tinted acrylic panels, and black handles to match the black exterior means that this stand will prove to be the ideal place to display your cube. This 29 gallon aquarium stand is ideal for all your medium-sized tank needs!
Fits both modern and traditional décor
Built-in storage
Sleek and modern
- Brand: Coralife
- Model: 100115664
- Weight: 48.1 pounds
If you’ve got yourself an all-glass aquarium and you’re looking for the best way to display it, then this may just be the answer you’re looking for. Its simple 6-step assembly makes setting your stand up child’s play. So if you’re wanting to make a splash with your tank, this is most certainly the way to do it.
With a contemporary pillar design, you’ll find that you can make a real centerpiece out of your tank. And you won’t need to worry about storage, as it has plenty of room within the pillar for your equipment.
Storage included
6-step set-up
Ideal for smaller homes
- Brand: All Glass Aquariums
- Model: 00851007
- Weight: 2 pounds
Available as a 30 gallon fish tank stand and as a 38 or 45 gallon option for larger tanks, this stand provides ample space for the perfect display. With a solid top feature that provides additional support throughout the entire structure and ample storage inside for any equipment you may need, you will find everything you need in this beautiful stand.
The simple, polished design of this stand means that it will work fantastically in a wide variety of homes. Additionally, the back is designed to be open with a single support brace giving easy access to route any cords that may otherwise look unsightly.
Open back
Hinged front door
Simple and modern
- Brand: Aquatic Fundamentals
- Model: 36301-01-AMZ
- Weight: 47 pounds
The Flipper aquarium stand is a particularly ingenious design, with a completely unique take on aquarium display. Flipper has designed this case to be flippable! By that, we mean that it can be used either way up, with each end of the stand purpose-built to support different aquarium sizes. The end with the narrower surface top has been made to hold up to 10 gallons (120 lbs), whilst the end with the wider surface top is designed to accommodate up to 20 gallons (240lbs). Not only does this make it suitable for a wider range of aquarium owners, but it provides smaller tank owners with the option to have a wider surface on which to store additional aquarium equipment alongside it.
Not only it is cleverly designed to work for multiple aquarium sizes, but it is also a modern, conservative design, with a helpful cupboard smack dab in the middle, for hiding away all of those messy aquarium tools and bits of cleaning equipment. It is an easy design to blend in with most homes, which just helps to make your tank look even better. Whilst many previous customers have been extremely happy with their Fipper display case, it is worth noting that it is stressed by the manufacturer that two adults should work together to assemble this unit. Not only is it a very package to carry, but it helps to have someone with you to hold the pieces straight.
Supports up to 10 gallons (120 lbs) on narrower end.
Supports up to 20 gallons (240 lbs) on wider end.
Made of particleboard and laminated MDF.
- Brand: Flipper
- Weight: 42 Pounds
Super quick to assemble, clear cut modern design and sturdy. Three things any aquarium lover would want in their tank stand. Made to provide the perfect fit for the Fluval Flex tank, this unit is ideal for a tuck-away display, so you don’t have to worry about taking up heaps of space.
The open shelves also give you a great area to keep any food or small bits of equipment you may need. So if you’re wanting a great little stand that cuts straight to the point, then this will be best stand for your needs.
Simple but strong
Modern design
Highly rated
- Brand: Hagen
- Model: AHG15015
- Weight: 26.2 pounds
Coralife’s Biocube stand is the epitome of aquarium display cases when it comes to looks. It had the classic organic soft curve to the shaping of the door’s tinted glass class panel, and a clean minimalist look overall. This stand is available in two sizes, and capable of holding up to size 14/16 biocubes, or the larger design can support up to size 29/32 biocubes. The unit has short, sturdy feet to keep the case elevated for hygiene purposes, whilst providing a strong and reliable base.
This biocube display case has been carefully designed by Coralife with water in mind. The materials used are all water-resistant, so there is no need to worry about spills whilst cleaning your tank. It even has holes cut into the back of the unit to allow cables to run into the storage cupboard underneath, out of the way of any water spillages that could potentially occur. The entire unit has been designed as one big cupboard, meaning there’s no need to keep equipment in plain sight, just tuck it away into the tinted storage space.
Ideally suited for biocube display.
Available in two sizes.
Storage cupboard situated underneath the tank.
- Brand: Coralife
- Model: 100531923
- Weight: 32 Pounds
Best Aquarium Stands Buying Guide & FAQ
Things to Consider When Buying a Fish Tank Stand
- Assembly
Setting up your aquarium stand and fish tank can be hard enough, without the added headache of working out how to put it together. Therefore, easy to assemble options are ideal and can take away the headache of getting your new furniture in place. Of course, many manufacturers may claim that their furniture is easy to assemble, when it can actually be quite complicated – so check reviews to see how quickly and easily you can get your stands set up!
- Size
There are various sizes available to work with different types of fish tanks. Because of the different sizes and shapes, it’s best to work with not only the dimensions but the capacity. This is the most accurate way of measuring the suitability of your aquarium stands. For example, a 20 gallon aquarium stand, for example, can hold a fish tank that has the same capacity (20 gallon fish tanks).
- Material
The best aquarium stands will be made of a sturdy material that is not only unlikely to buckle under the pressure of your fish tanks, but one that is moisture resistant, too. Naturally, there are going to be some slips and spills as you clean or work with your aquarium, so being able to withstand the high likelihood of water seeping onto the aquarium stand is a must.
- Access and storage
There are plenty of fantastic aquarium stands out there that offer additional storage, where you can keep the food and equipment that you’ll need for your fish tank. However, if you’re using a full set-up that requires plenty of additional wiring and connectors, then it’s important that you choose an aquarium stand that allows for this. The best aquarium stands will have an open back or easy access to these wires, without the need for trailing cords across the home or around the tank.
Benefits of Aquarium Stands
Arguably the biggest benefit to aquarium stands is that they help to highlight your beautiful fish tanks. Being able to raise your fish tank to a level that allows you to fully enjoy your fish – whether they’re in a 10 gallon aquarium or extra-large selection – means you can showcase your chosen fish and simply revel in the beauty of your home décor.
Your aquarium stands also allow you to work with your tank without breaking your back. Instead of having to bend over regularly, to see to the aquarium on the floor, raising it to your preferred level makes it much easier to adjust, feed and clean the entire area – all thanks to the stands.
Best Aquarium Stands FAQ:
Q: How tall should an aquarium stand be?
A: That depends entirely on how you prefer the aquarium stands to look and what the most comfortable height is for yourself. Be aware that you’ll need to be able to access the top of your tank easily, so getting an aquarium stand that is low enough for you to easily reach the lid and bend your arm around – to better reach the equipment – is key.
Q: How to level fish tank cabinet?
A: Before you pop your aquarium on top of the fish tank stand, the best way to level your aquarium stand is to use a spirit level. Working to get the bubble into the center of your spirit level will easily show you that your stand is level and ready to use.
If you have an aquarium stand with leveling feet, this can make the entire process much easier as you can adjust each corner until you have the desired outcome. However, if you have opted for a large variant, which is less likely to have these, try to start out by placing your aquarium stand in an area that you are confident is very flat, in the house.
Q: Can an aquarium hang over the stand?
A: This depends entirely on the type of stand you have bought. Most aquarium stands are designed so that there is no need for your tank to hang over the edges of the furniture. That said, if the aquarium stand bows, there is likely to be an overhang – of course, these stands are designed for this, and so are built and measured to better support this design.
Q: What should I put under my fish tank?
A: A padded mat that is designed to be placed under your stands is the best option for you. While there is also the option to add a platform, these offer no moisture resistance and can even be a hindrance at times, depending on the height of your stands. The aquarium mats, however, are designed to quickly and easily fit under stands without altering the height and protecting your house from any slips or spills.
Our Top Pick
Simple and stylish, this small piece of furniture actually acts as two stands in one. These stands can be flipped and changed when you change over the size of your aquarium, so your new aquarium stand can grow as your collection increases!
Modern and sturdy, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a competitor that offers so much value for money. Meanwhile, the additional storage space allows for you to place all of your necessities in one area, so you can quickly and easily feed, clean or adjust your set up, as required.
Sources:
- How to Set Up a Fish Tank and Keep It Clean, PetMD
- How to Choose Aquarium Equipment, HowStuffWorks
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