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I'm going to be rearranging things in my livingroom/fishroom to make room for additonal tanks, and I am considering using the metal tank stands. Now, can these stands really hold two tanks with the same footprint dimensions? Even with larger tanks?
I hope to start with a metal stand with two ten gallon tanks, which I'm not really worried about (unless I should be ), but I plan to repeat the process using a metal stand with two 40 gallon tanks in the future. My floor is sturdy enough, but if the stand fails and I wind up with 80 gallons of water on the second floor of the house, my boyfriend will indeed kill me.

So do you guys think I can go ahead with this plan, or should I avoid these metal stands altogether?

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Not all wrought iron stands are made to hold two aquariums. I have one for a 29 gallon, and second 29 will not fit on the bottom due to the side supports. I also have a "double 10 gallon stand". It has a much thicker frame and was sold as a double stand.

So, just make sure it's made to support two tanks.

If it is, you shouldn't have any problems. Having two tanks makes the stand much less top-heavy. So, it's less likely to tip over.

Another good thing about metal stands is that you don't have to worry about water damage. I recently had to replace a fairly new 75 gallon stand due to just that problem. Whereas, my 29 gallon metal stand is over 20 years old, and is just about indestructible.

I have a metal stand that is indeed made to hold two 29 gallon tanks, and it has been doing so without the least bit of a problem now for over 30 years.

As with anything, most will come with recommendations as what is safe by the manufacturer so if you don't exceed what they say you shouldn't have any problems.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hmm... okay. Well, it does make perfect sense that I should get a stand made specifically for two tanks. Anybody know any particular brands or suppliers that carry tanks that are made specifically for this purpose?

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

I believe that Penn-Plax sells (unassembled) iron stands which are made to hold two tanks. There are other companies which make similar products, but I just can't think of them right now.

Be sure to carefully check the manufacturer's instructions, because some of these stands don't hold two tanks of the same size. I remember that some or all of the Penn-Plax only have space for a smaller tank on the bottom, because the legs/supports take up extra room.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i have one for my 150g and have a 40g sitting under it for almost a year and have had great luck with it.

but it really all depends on the structure of where your living and if the floor can handle this. myself, i'm lucky, have a 150, 55, 40, and 30g tank in my apartment, but i'm on the first floor with pourd concrete floors.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

I think that the stands sold by All-Glass aquariums are the kind I want. They're actually made for two tanks and I feel pretty confidant in their quality. Of course you can't order directly from All-Glass, so I'll have to go through my LFS (I am so spoiled by online mail-order ).

I'm not overly concerned about my floor. It's very sturdy and there are support walls right under where I plan to put it. All of my other tanks reside in built-in well supported fixtures of the house like the built-in bookshelf on the main wall of the house (continues through both stories), and my 65 is in the fireplace, so it's got a whole story of stone supporting it. This will be the first free-standing aquaria in the livingroom, so I'm not too worried about it.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Hi. I am currently maintaining 2 10 gal tanks on a wrought iron stand. The bottom tank is too low to the floor to siphon it out. The water comes out but it doesn't do a good job on the debris. Most of it comes up into the large end of the hose but it won't draw up into the bucket. Any ideas on raising the bottom tank would be appreciated. How much higher should the tank be to get the "law of gravity" to work? Ideas on building a base of some sort would be appreciated also. Thanks in advance.

It depends totally how it is made and the materials used. A metal tank stand made correctly will hold a lot more than two small tanks. Remember that being metal they can take a little more care especially with any water on the 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

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Good morning,Keithgh. Thanks for the reply, but I need to know how to raise the bottom tank so that the siphon hose will work. I have about 3 inches to work with and still be able to get the filters, etc. out for maintenance. I've been putting the fish in a bucket with an aerator, draining enough water so I can take the tank out, putting it on a desk, cleaning it, putting it back in the stand, refilling it and replacing the fish. It is too stressful for the fish, and I'm afraid I'll drop it or cause a leak. The owner has no room for another stand. It's an office. I was thinking of having my son-in-law build a wooden base that will fit in the space. Would it have to have a solid top or just a wide enough edge around it to hold the tank? Would using a smaller diameter tubing siphon better? I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

I don't usually have a big problem siphoning from a low tank. The siphon is slower and less powerful, but still does the job. Use a hose long enough that it can rest on the floor before going up into the bucket. Gravity will put the water down the hose to the floor, and the pressure will push it up into the bucket.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Caviar
Just to be on the safe side could you send me a photo of the stand/problem. It would only be a matter of constructing a suitable base and the top of the base might be able to used for another purpose. I will PM you my E/m Also give me the measurements of the stand including the height of the base you would like it to be.

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

Keithgh, I won't be going back in until Friday. I'll try to get decent pics, and measurements then and send them to you Friday afternoon. Thanks for your help.

Hi Caviar,
My 50g is supported by a steel stand which i made out of some spare construction steel (known as angle iron) available at home. No problems at all. I find it less better than the wooden ones. Just get some good water proof paint.