Hi all my fish tank is to heavy for the stand i have it on. What is the best way to make this more capable of taking tank weight? have had to take half water out the tank.

Hubby says maybe if we put timber in cupboard under shelf?

Zoe

Take a pic of the inside, this will give everyone a better idea of what reinforcement to put where. Also note any warping or bending that can't be seen in the pic, as sometimes this is tough to see, but is something that needs to be dealt with.

I build all my own stands & racks unless I get them for free, this looks like an easy fix to me. I would bet a few 2x4's & some screws will fix it right up.

i take theres a shelf in the cupboard take it out an build a frame out of 2 x 2" (par) and if it needs it a couple of diagonal cross braces. as above pic's of the inside would be good.

This post has been edited by flash22: Sep 15 2007, 01:02 PM

Cant get pics just now as camera being borrowed. all that inside is elec meter. Have notified insurance about tank!!!!!

i Have phone a few joiners who are going to come out next week to have a look. Other option is to buy a stand. but dont think i would get same colour that would go with hood.

Got a electrician coming out next week also so i can get more plug sockets, (which gives me more area's to put tanks) the sockets used to be white meter heating sockets.

Zoe

If there is no shelf between the shelf the tank rests on, and the bottom of the cabinet you could easily reinforce that one. Box out the underneath perimeter of the shelf with some 2x4's, and add a vertical 2x4 to each of the four corners to support it.

ok seen a solid wood stand. its a tv stand. measurements are perfect for tank, here is a pic. do u think this would be ok?

That's a tough call, it looks to be 1/2"x2" vertical supports on the corners, which would need some support behind them.

Nip to your local B&Q (or other DIY shed) and buy some CLS timber.... its made for framing, dead cheap and will support your house !
Then put a simple frame inside that cupboard...

.... alternatively, don't do that: Great big tank of water held up by a not-built-for-the-task-flimsy-cupboard HOUSING YOUR ELECTRICAL METERS ETC.

Go figure! Move it somewhere else!!!!!!

Andy

A buddy of mine (another angel breeder, go figure!) used to keep his tanks on all sorts of reinforced dressers, buffets, and such when he had an apartment. I couldn't believe his landlord let him get away with around 10 tanks but I guess he didn't care. He put everything from 10 gallon tanks to 75 gallon tanks on this free or nearly so furniture, he used to keep a tape measure with him in case he found any deals.

He would rip out the drawers and any other unneeded wood, reinforce the case, then tack the drawer fronts on for appearance. Do it right and they are stronger than a store bought stand, which in general are barely adequate for the job.

For anything of this weight you must either purchase a purposely designed cabinet or employ a local cabinet maker to build you one suitable. The weight of a tank is, as all will tell you, heavy. You dont want anything collapsing that is holding it up.

Sorry to be blunt but my entire family is in the carpentry and building trade and you will not believe what i have seen people trying to do.

I would simply add a metal angle in each corner, and if necessary a kind of 'brace' in the middle of the top wood. I have reinforced cabinets like this under supervision of a carpenter.

Thanks guys. have put it up for sale.