Whether your own a 40 gallon breeder or 40 gallon long tank, an aquarium of this size needs proper support. But given the range of stands and cabinets available to suit different budgets, how do you choose the best 40 gallon aquarium stand for you?
We spent several weeks validating the stands on this list, and found the best for a 40 gallon breeder to be the Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Tank Stand based on its awesome durability and modern looks.
But if you own a 40 gallon long tank you’ll often find a 55 gallon stand is a much better fit to suit the dimensions. So we’ve covered a range of these stands below along with how to measure up properly based on your type of tank.
So let’s get right to it!
Note, a 40 gallon aquarium can weigh 450+ lbs when filled, so you must use a 40 gallon aquarium stand to support your tank.
- Best For Breeder Tank: Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Tank Stand
- Best For Long Tank: Aquatic Fundamentals Wood Aquarium Stand
- Best For Premium Cabinet: Flipper Wildwood 55 Gallon Aquarium Stand
- Best Dual Stand: Caitec Titaneze Double Aquarium Stand
- Best Long Tank Alternative: Aquatic Fundamentals 55/38 Gallon Aquarium Stand
Best 40 Gallon Aquarium Stand Picks Reviewed
Note that whilst 40 gallon aquarium stands are often made to fit breeder tanks, 40 gallon long tanks usually fit better on a larger 55 gallon stand.
The key is to measure up properly and remember as long as the stand has dimensions equal to or larger than your tank, and can support the weight, you’ll get the right fit. We cover all that and more in our buying guide later on.
1. Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Tank Stand
Photo: Amazon.com
- Material And Style: Powder-coated steel frame
- Dimensions: 36.5 (l) x 18.5 (d) x 29.5 (h) inches
- Maximum Gallons: 40 gallons
- Key Features: Powder-coated steel frame, adjustable feet for leveling
- Best for: Breeder Tank
Our top choice for a 40 gallon breeder tank is the Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Tank Stand, and is a great choice if you are looking for a sleek, minimalist stand. With a 36.5 x 18.5 inch top it’s specifically made to support a 40 gallon breeder, and has steel braces for extra support.
The solid, steel construct can easily support the 450+ lbs weight of an average 40 gallon aquarium, and the wide base means there’s no chance of it falling over. The stand also comes with adjustable feet so you can easily level it to ensure your tank is properly supported.
Overall this is a modern and stylish stand which receives a lot of praise from owners for being very solid, easy to assemble and well designed. And the open back means there’s plenty of airflow and space for wiring in equipment too!
2. Aquatic Fundamentals Wood Aquarium Stand
Photo: Amazon.com
- Material And Style: Laminated particleboard cabinet
- Dimensions: 49.37 (l) x 13.12 (d) x 28.25 (h) inches
- Maximum Gallons: Up to 55 gallon aquariums, suitable for 40 gallon long tank
- Key Features: Internal cabinet with two 12” wide doors, open back with supporting brace, solid top
- Best for: Long Tank
The sleek, handleless Aquatic Fundamentals Wood Aquarium Stand is the perfect choice for supporting a 40 gallon long tank. Whilst it can hold up to a 55 gallon aquarium, the 49.37 x 13.12 inch top will fit most 40 gallon long tanks too, but do check your measurements first.
It’s got a vast amount of space inside, with two 12 inch wide doors so you can easily access your equipment and supplies. And whilst there’s no internal shelf, you do get almost the full 28.25 inch height of the stand, so perfect if you have large filters or pumps.
Many owners report that the laminated particleboard is tough and durable, and easily supports the weight of their tank. And whilst the back has a brace for extra support, other than that it’s fully open so it’s really accessible for wiring and cooling!
3. Flipper Wildwood 55 Gallon Aquarium Stand
Photo: Amazon.com
- Material And Style: Laminated particleboard cabinet
- Dimensions: 50.0 (l) x 15.75 (d) x 30.0 (h) inches
- Maximum Gallons: Up to 55 gallon aquariums, suitable for 40 gallon long tank
- Key Features: Rustic brown wood effect veneer with gray undertone, black metal hardware accents, four doors opening to 4 shelves
- Best for: Premium Cabinet
Our pick for the best premium cabinet is the Flipper Wildwood 55 Gallon Aquarium Stand. Its 50.0 x 15.75 inch top will fit a 40 gallon long tank, and can support up to 660 lbs in weight – more than enough for the 450+ lbs weight of a 40 gallon aquarium.
Inside the stand is divided into two cupboards, each with a double door for easy access. And there’s plenty of storage with a total of four shelves, each of which can hold up to 15 lbs. So perfect for heavy canister filters or bags of substrate.
This is not just an aquarium stand, but also a beautiful piece of furniture. And you can pair it with the Wildwood Fireplace TV Stand or others in the Ameriwood Home range. Overall this cabinet receives well deserved praise from owners for its sturdiness, beauty and ease of assembly.
4. Caitec Titaneze Double Aquarium Stand
Photo: Amazon.com
- Material And Style: Powder-coated tubular steel frame
- Dimensions: 38.5 (l) x 18.5 (d) x 33.0 (h) inches
- Maximum Gallons: 65 gallon or 40 gallon breeder tank
- Key Features: Powder-coated frame, double wall construction, heavy duty polymer feet, supports up to two 65 gallon or 40 gallon breeder tanks, easy slot together assembly
- Best for: Dual Stand
The Titaneze Double Aquarium Stand may look slender and elegant, but it is also ultra-strong and can support two 40 gallon breeder aquariums with its dual top and bottom shelves. It also has heavy duty polymer feet to prevent any slipping on hard surfaces.
It effectively slots together so it’s really easy to assemble, and it also means you can take it apart and store the stand away in the future if you need to. And if you don’t need it for two tanks, many owners have reported using a piece of plywood to make a lower shelf to store supplies.
Overall this is a sleek, but incredibly strong stand which many owners praise for its versatility, modern looks and sturdiness despite its slender frame.
5. Aquatic Fundamentals 55/38 Gallon Aquarium Stand
Photo: Amazon.com
- Material And Style: Powder-coated fiberboard cabinet
- Dimensions: 48.75 (l) x 14.25 (d) x 27.75 (h) inches
- Maximum Gallons: Suitable 38, 55 gallon and 40 gallon long aquariums
- Key Features: Moisture resistant powder-coated top and base, large storage area behind central door
- Best for: Long Tank Alternative
The Aquatic Fundamentals 55/38 Gallon Aquarium Stand is a great alternative to the other cabinets here if you are looking for a cheaper option for a 40 gallon long tank.
It’s made of fiberboard and is powder-coated so you don’t need to worry about any spills affecting the wood. And whilst it doesn’t have a shelf inside, the storage space runs the entire length of the stand, so plenty of room for your supplies or equipment.
Although it’s a cheaper stand, the fiberboard can more than support a 40 gallon long tank and owners have reported it can hold up to a 55 gallon aquarium well. Overall a great alternative for a stylish cabinet if you’re on a budget.
Choosing The Best 40 Gallon Aquarium Stand
Depending on the type of 40 gallon fish tank you own, it can have a direct effect on whether you need a 40 gallon aquarium stand or if in fact you need something a little larger!
Types And Sizes of 40 Gallon Aquarium
Finding the best 40 gallon aquarium stand can be a little trickier than with other sizes of fish tank. This is because, depending on the type of 40 gallon fish tank you have, you may not always be buying a dedicated 40 gallon fish tank stand. Let me explain!
While 40 gallon aquariums can come in different shapes, such as bow fronts, often they tend to come as standard rectangular prisms with two common types:
- 40 gallon breeder/ display tank: Average dimensions of 36” length x 18” width x 16” height
- 40 gallon long tank: Average dimensions of 48” length x 13” width x 16” height
40 gallon aquarium stands tend to be made to fit 40 gallon breeder/ display tanks. Whereas 55 gallon aquarium stands are usually a great fit for 40 gallon long tanks. Remember, as long as your stand is longer and wider than your tank so it’s fully supported, you’ll have no issues.
Weight Distribution
A 40 gallon breeder aquarium in glass is likely to weigh about 55 to 85 lbs when empty. Once you add water, substrate, and equipment the final weight can be around 450 lbs. Depending on the specific dimensions, you’ll find a 40 gallon long tank has a similar overall weight too.
It’s critical as tanks get larger that their weight is supported correctly, and evenly. An even weight distribution will stop too much pressure put on one panel or area, which could otherwise lead to cracks or damaged seams.
Some of the best 40 gallon aquarium stands have adjustable feet so that you can get them perfectly level. But it’s not essential as you can easily use plastic shims (i.e. wedges) to make sure your tank and stand is fully level.
Aquarium Stand Height And Your Environment
Given an average 40 gallon fish tank can be around 16 inches in height, you want an aquarium stand that will position it at the right height to view your fish properly when seated. And you also want to be able to reach inside easily for maintenance.
The best 40 gallon aquarium stands tend to be around 27 to 33 inches in height, but your home environment can also be a factor when it comes to height too. If you have children or pets, for example, you may want to go for a taller, wider based cabinet, rather than a slender stand for extra stability and peace of mind.
Build Quality And Materials
As with other sized fish tank stands, 40 gallon aquarium stands tend to be made of metal, engineered wood, or wood (usually plywood). Let’s take a look at each material:
- Metal: Metal aquarium stands are usually steel. They are incredibly strong and tend to be powder-coated for water resistance. As steel is such a strong material, you can get slender steel stands (as well as chunkier ones) which can still support heavy tanks.
- Engineered Wood: These aquarium stands are usually either particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Both materials are similar in that they are made from a compressed mix of wood fibers and resin. Although MDF is denser and stronger, well-made particleboard stands are more than capable of supporting a 40 gallon tank.
- Wood: Plywood stands are strong and stylish, but they do tend to be a lot more expensive than engineered wood. They can also still react to water, and so are usually coated for water resistance.
While a steel aquarium stand may seem an obvious choice to hold the weight, just bear in mind all of these materials are capable of supporting a 40 gallon tank. The only real downside with particleboard is it can scratch over time, so if you have pets or kids you may prefer steel.
What really matters is you double check the weight the stand can hold, and that you are buying a quality product. You can check this by reading owner reviews on sites like Amazon.
Design Vs Space For Equipment
When balancing design and functionality you’ll need to consider what type of 40 gallon fish tank stand looks best in your home, but also gives you what you need. Some steel-framed stands, for example, are actually dual stands capable of holding two tanks one above the other.
If you want to keep supplies and equipment out of sight, or if you want to keep them out of the way of children, a cabinet is often the best bet. Unlike standard cabinets, these aquarium stands are usually designed with open backs to allow for wiring and cooling of equipment.
Will You Be Using A Pump Or Sump?
And on that note, another reason you might want to consider a cabinet-style aquarium stand is if you plan to use an external filter, pump, or sump with your tank. For example, many stands designed for marine tanks tend to be cabinets so you can hide this equipment away.
DIY Stands Vs Store Bought
The wide range of manufactured 40 gallon aquarium stands means you have plenty of choice whether you want a steel-framed stand, or stylish wooden cabinet. And the advantage with store bought aquarium stands is that they have been properly built and tested to support your tank.
If you are into your DIY, making your own 40 gallon fish tank stand is possible to do. But do ensure you use the correct materials discussed earlier – plywood is a good choice – and that your stand can support the 450+ lbs weight of your tank!
Our Verdict
The best 40 gallon aquarium stand for you will depend on whether you have a breeder or 40 gallon long tank. We chose the Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Tank Stand as our favorite breeder stand for its solid construct and modern style.
For a 40 gallon long tank, the Aquatic Fundamentals Wood Aquarium Stand is an awesome choice given its sleek look, durability and great amount of space inside. But of course every home is different, and whether breeder or long tank the rest of our list has got you covered!
FAQs
We’ve answered some of the top questions when it comes to 40 gallon aquarium stands. So let’s check them out!
What Is A 40 Gallon Breeder Vs A 40 Gallon Long Tank?
A 40 gallon breeder tank is a shorter tank, at around 36”. They are also slightly shallower so you can easily tend to your fish. 40 gallon long tanks tend to be around 48” in length.
How Much Does A 40 Gallon Aquarium Weigh?
A 40 gallon breeder in glass weighs about 55 to 85 lbs when empty. When filled the final weight can be around 450 lbs. A 40 gallon long tank will also have a similar weight.
How Big Is A 40 Gallon Aquarium?
Most rectangular 40 gallon breeder tanks are around 36” length x 18” width x 16” height, whereas 40 gallon long tanks are about 48” length x 13” width x 16” height.
How Much Weight Can A 40 Gallon Aquarium Stand Hold?
It really depends on the individual stand. Some particleboard stands suitable for 40 gallon long tanks for example can hold up to 650 lbs. But always check each product you buy.
