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Hey everyone. We recently got flooded by hurricane Ivan, and it flooded out house. Our fishtanks were fine thank god, but the stand on the 55 gallon tank is now bowing out. We just noticed this yesterday while we are cleaming everything up, and we need to do something about it.

It is bowing at the bottom of the stand. Were not sure if we should try to fix it, or get a new stand.

The only problem is that the tank weighs probably about 700 pounds, so we will have to drain everything out to be able to lift it. We will have to keep the Pleco, and clown loaches in the tank, because we dont have nets big enough for them, and we dont want to harm them (because plecos get stuck in nets, and clown loaches have that spine under their eye.

If there is a way to support it before we can buy a new stand, how could we?

I need help ASAP, as I don't want the tank to fall over.

uhmmm... sounds like you have a problem. how much space is there unde the tank, is there an open area to the floor? If there is, then one thing you could try is pile a small tower of bricks or other big flat stones (make it steady) and then on top of that maybe a car jack (not sure if that is thair actual english name, I mean the device you use when you change a wheel tire). Anyway, with that you may be able to support the center of the stand until you get a new one... I'd also drain about half of the water from thew tank, or at least as much as you can without having the fish, filter and heater suffering from it... any weight loss will help.

good luck!

Whoa, I would move fast! The stand could go at any time.

Its probably made of woodchip board - getting soaked would surely cause swelling and loss of strength. I would not press my luck by waiting!

I would get a few big new Rubbermaid containers (at least 20 gallon size) and siphon the water into them OR use a large plastic cooler or new plastic trash cans. I'd try to save as much water as practical, esp if you opt to put the fish back in the tank straight away...

Remove all ornaments and plants before nabbing the fish. Catch the plecos and clown loaches one by one in a big fish bag folded back at teh top and fitted over the wire frame of an old large size net or in a big clear plastic juice pitcher. Do not chase the fish with these things, herd or "shush" the fish into the container (set so the bottom touched the gravel) by motioning towards the fish with a net or stick or your other hand, then quickly cut off escape with a plate or lid, or by moving the open end of the bag against the side of the tank and then using your fingers to pinch the bag opening closed. Lift the fish in pitcher or bag to transfer to the temporary container. If the fish will be there for a while, place a heater and airstone in Rubbermaid. If you have a canister filter running on the tank now, you can fit that onto the Rubbermaid.

Drain all water from the tank, scoop out gravel etc then relocate the tank to a level strong surface. Maybe place it right on the floor (set on a sheet of styrofoam) and set it up again for now until you can get a new tank stand. I have seen temporary stands constructed out of cinder blocks and heavy wood planking - 2X6 or heavier.

Good luck!

victimizati0n.

I am very sorry to hear about your problems thank goodness I have never experienced any thing like that and never want to.

Now for the bad news I would say the tank stand got water logged and could/will fall appart at any time.

You could make a tempory stand from large buliding blocks/bricks and a timber top.

If you have an insurance it should cover it any way. I strongly sugggest get a new stand and put the tank on a temp stand.

Keith

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I'd suggest getting some rubbermaid storage totes from someplace like target, k-mart, homedeopt and lowes even carry them.....have them so that you can transfer water substrate fish ect....you can even run the filters on the side....They come in sizes up to 50/60 gallons but I'd suggest getting a few smaller ones as they aren't strong enough to support the weight of the water and will bow out on the sides ... if you have a farm supply store in your area you could try looking for rubbermaid stock tanks...they're of stronger material, designed to support water, but a little more expensive....many LFS's will use them for corals, and feeder fish.

Then get a new stand, maybe a metal one instead of wood insurance may cover it later but I wouldn't wait on it if the stand goes down you're likely to lose tank fish stand, everything.

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