Earlier this week, my mum and I picked out a new, adult size tank for my (at the moment) only bearded dragon, Paarthurnax. We got a discount on the tank, so it was actually pretty manageable price-wise, but the problem was that we didn't have any kind of table or stand that we could put it on that was big and/or sturdy enough. We looked at stands in the PetSmart where we bought the tank, but all those big enough would have cost more than the tank itself. So, we decided to improvise.
We went to our local hardware store and bought six standard size cinderblocks. 8x8x16. We also had two lengths of thick, sturdy, cheap wood cut to match the length and width of the new tank. These materials were about $35, all together, whereas the stands/cabinets at PetSmart were upwards of $150. We also picked up a few cans of cherry red and black indoor/outdoor Krylon gloss spray paint. I took the cinderblocks and wood out to our driveway to paint them, while wearing disposable gloves and a face mask from walmart. I painted the blocks cherry red, and the wood black. Once stacked in my room (two blocks, a plank for a shelf, another block and the top plank) I carefully positioned the tank on top, filled it with hideyholes and climbing materials and food dishes and got the lights into place, and viola! It's cheap, it's sturdy, it's easy, and it actually looks pretty awesome! Though it certainly doesn't match every style of room decor, if you're looking to save a buck and aren't too picky about appearances (or have the kind of room it will actually look good in) then it's a great solution.
I did this with my turtle tank a few months ago! I painted the cinder blocks a cream color and stained the wood a dark chocolate color. I placed a thin piece if plywood between the blocks as a shelf. It looks so neat!
Thanks! He's a mischievous little bum, for sure. Glad the idea is being put to good use, too! If anybody else who uses the idea can post pictures, that would be neat. :3