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	Supporting tank
redthanatos Fingerling Posts: 23 Kudos: 20 Votes: 0 Registered: 17-Jul-2006	So i have 2 glass aquariums... one of the stands is a little small... by 1/2 an inch... is it ok if the aquarium is supported just inside the edges rather than at the edges? or do glass aquarium edges need to be fully supported? thanks Sean
Posted 22-Nov-2006 02:19
superlion Mega Fish Posts: 1246 Kudos: 673 Votes: 339 Registered: 27-Sep-2003	I would definitely say don't use that stand. The whole tank needs to be supported. It will probably crack on a stand like that rather quickly. ><>
Posted 22-Nov-2006 03:47
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	It would be safer and stronger if it was supported all over. Can you place a 20mm-3/4ins piece of particle board over/on top of the existing stand? *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 22-Nov-2006 05:06
ricanboy57 Fingerling Posts: 17 Kudos: 4 Votes: 5 Registered: 20-Nov-2006	Edited by ricanboy57 The frame on a tank is there not only to support the walls but to distribute weight when filled. Placing the tank bottom on the stand doesn't allow for this compensation in weight. Very likely your tank will crack on the bottom after a while when tottally filled. Definitly not a good idea 11/22 EDIT: Placeing a board on top like Keithgh said is the only way to avoid this. I'm just advising on the bad points of seting it up without the board. _________________________________________ I'm the classic newb. I went out and bought the smallest tank and a fish at the same time. Now I'm kicking myself wondering how could I have been so stupid. But I'm hooked.
Posted 22-Nov-2006 11:22
illustrae Fish Addict Posts: 820 Kudos: 876 Registered: 04-May-2005	Do like keithgh suggested and get a piece of board: particle board, plywood, whatever, and place it on top of the stand, then the tank on top of the wood. It is very important that the entire bottom frame is completely supported. Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...
Posted 22-Nov-2006 18:14
divertran Fish Addict Posts: 784 Kudos: 469 Votes: 165 Registered: 14-Nov-2004	Edited by divertran Please allow me to take this just a step further. In a word, NO! The sides of the tank are glued together probably with a silicone glue, a soft rubbery substance great for this purpose. The bottom plate of the tank is also glued with the same material, often not right at the bottom and then sometimes framed to hold things together. The frames really don't support much and aren't designed to. The reason the bottom isn't all the way to the bottom of the tank is because the walls standing vertically are much, much stronger (not really "stronger" but due to their orientation they'll support more) than the bottom which lays flat. If you support the weight of the tank by the bottom you may risk damaging the bottom, tearing the glue, etc. Any imperfections in the surface it sits on will be transferred to the bottom and could cause it to crack or break, or cause enough stress to weaken the joint. The advice given above is very sound, place a piece of say, 3/4" plywood cut to about an inch longer and wider than the tank (so the tank sits 1/2" from any edge) on top of the existing stand and fasten securely. Even better would be to line that with a thin sheet of foam to even out the imperfections in the plywood.
Posted 24-Nov-2006 07:25
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	Step 1 : Find a piece of wood that will provide cushioning support for the whole of the bottom of the aquarium, and place this on the stand. Dimensions should be chosen so that there is a small excess edge to ensure that the aquarium is fully supported. Step 2 : Purchase some polystyrene ceiling tiles (I can get a pack of 20 for about £4 where I live) and place one or two of these (enough to cover the wood - cut pieces to shape if need be) onto the wood base to provide additional cushioning. Step 3 : Place the aquarium upon the whole structure. The polystyrene tiles will even out any imperfections in the wood, and ensure that the aquarium is properly cushioned. The wood will ensure that there is a secure base for the aquarium to rest upon. Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 24-Nov-2006 12:47


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