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My 55 is currently on a wrought iron stand that scares the heck out of me. The supports in the back are straight but the ones in the front slope from the front of the tank to the middle of the back support, forming a triangle. The thing looks horribly tippy and unstable. If I bump the tank too hard it sways a bit and I know this might one day cause the glass to crack from the pressure. Now that I look at it it seems like these front side pieces are bowed out at the top, I'm not sure if they've always been like that or not... I've been assured that it is a very safe stand and it has held the tank safely for over a year but I just go crazy every time a kid or dog gets too close. We will be moving at the end of the month so nows my chance if I want to switch stands. I have another piece of furniture which is an oak cabinet with a tiled top. Very pretty and much nicer than wrought iron plus it has storage space! But it was not designed with holding a big tank in mind. I wonder if it is safe? It is wide enough to hold the long ends of the tank all on the tile top but length wise the ends of the tank will be resting on the wood trim which is only nailed to the main unit around the tiling. The trim pieces themselves can't take much weight but if most of the tank base is sitting on the tile top will it be ok? How do I know how much weight the stand can hold overall? Should I just climb on it and start jumping? It looks solid but...


I can provide pictures if anyone gets confused.

Yeah, i agree with you on the iron stands, they are cheap but not that great for stability. I would switch also. As for using that piece of furniture, check to see if it is built like a wooden stand, make sure it is supported at every corner and side completely.

If you can sit on it and it does not have the shakes it should be able to take the weight. For the actual construction I would prefer to see a photo of exactly what you concern is.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

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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.
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Here's a picture of the edges.

I did some more careful remeasuring and I don't think much weight at all will be on the trim pieces. The tiled surface is 48 in long and the base of the tank is 48 1/2 in. Overall length of stand is 49 7/8.

The stand is currently on casters so its not super stable but I plan to remove them before using it.

It seems sturdy. I still think it will be safer than the iron stand. I'm such a basket case I think I'd be happiest if all my tanks were just sitting on the floor.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks

depending on the bracing inside you could cut 45º angle pieces of 2x4 and place one under each end corner. could also use metal hardware. metal would cost more but alot easier to hide and alot stronger and would be my choice. mainly because that trim is more then likely heald on with finishing nails. i would also toss 3 sets of 2 screws on it. 2 on the ends and 2 in the middle. next i would take a good look on how its supported inside the cabinet. Hard for me to tell but looks like the structure is under the top. if the top frame rests on the main frame it shoudl be fine. if not then it must be braced.

you have to follow the weight down the frame to see where it goes and how it gets there. if it transfers through nails/screws then it has to be braced. also the trim would be a small concern but should be fine with metal bracing and some screws in it. weight fines the weak spots and breaks it. the cabinet is only as strong as its weakest point obviously. well that trim is it. secure that and find your next weakness. figure 8lb per gallon estimate and figure that weakness will need to hold that.

Looking at that and providing the cabinet is well constructed and not falling down there should never be a problem. BUT you will require a sheet of styrene foam the size of the tank as the tiled surface is not the best to sit the tank on reason uneven surfaces. I would suggest the Styrene should be about 3/4ins thick.

Certainly remove the casters.

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

Hi,
Actually water by itself weighs 8 pounds/gallon.
The rule of thumb for aquariums is 10 pounds/gallon
as this takes in the weight of the aquarium gravel
at 2-3 inches of depth.
And, the whole thing goes out the window so to speak
when thinking of African Rift tanks with mounds of
limestone for caves and hiding holes.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks for the replies guys! Sure enough, two measly finish nails per trim piece. That will definitely get some screws at the very least. Looking at the frame, yes it does sit right under the top. The front's the weakest (cabinet obviously)and its support consists of a 2 1/2 x 3/4 in each corner and one in the center. The center support does not directly meet the top, it connects to the cabinet face instead, seems like that would be my next weakest point. Once the casters are off the entire frame will run straight to the ground, no weak spots, with the exception of that middle support.

I did wonder about the tile.. Of course, the glass itself doesn't rest on the tile, you think the tank frame sitting on it will be a problem? I can definitely put some foam under there if it makes a difference.

sorry to kinda change the topic but what exactly is wrong with iron posts? i just got one and now ima little worried.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Hi
Wrought Iron aquarium stands have been around for decades,
and many of them are still supporting aquariums after
decades. My first 55 gallon tank sat on one that was just
a little over a foot high, leaving the tank comfortable
to work in, easy for the toddlers to look at, and
support themselves as they learned to walk.

Properly welded they will last a lifetime. The tank
that started this thread seems to be worrying its owner
and may be a bit unstable. Such could be the case when
supporting well over 500 pounds nearly 4 feet in the up
in the air. A jostle can set the water sloshing and the
wave action can cause the tank and stand to rock.
A frightening thing to see.

Today, the style seems to have changed to making the tank
a piece of furniture with finishes that range from dark
cherry to lite oak. Rarely are they actually made of that
wood however. Generally they are press-board, or soft pine,
and covered with a plastic sheet that looks like wood, or
thin sheets of real wood.

Be sure that your stand is level, that it does not rock
with the stand in place an no tank on it. If it rocks
then something, the stand or the floor is uneven. You
should find another place for the tank and stand, or shim
the stand so that it is rock solid. Then place the tank
on the stand and again make sure that everything is rock
solid. If the stand is stable, and you can see light
between the tank and the stand the it might be best to
lay a straight edge on the stand and be sure that the
support rail is not bent. If not then you can place a
piece of Styrofoam on the stand and the tank atop the
foam.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi frank !
http://pets.webshots.com/album/122237551ifJEHJ
I hate press board . constructed far stronger then the stores and cost me 1/3 of the price. I have since made a canopy for it and fit it with lighting. 5 bulbs for the cost of a single strip at the store. not happy with the looks of it though so will be remakeing it.

Another option would be continue using the iron stand and put it against a wall. This will allow you to tie it off with some wire to a eye bolt in a beam. This would prevent any accidents. Which do happen and have happen here lol. when i was a kid we kept a 10g on a iron stand. My younger brother and cousin stood on the bottom rail and over it went. If it had been tied off it wouldnt have happened.

Hi Sin,
I remember when you built it and those pictures.
A beautiful, solid, piece of aquarium furniture.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--