55 Gallon Tank Stand

[neonoah75]

I am getting a 55 gallon tank ASAP, and I don't want to spend a lot on a stand. (I would build my own, but I am not good at building things at all.) Are those metal frame stands any good? I wouldn't be worried about a 10 or 20 gallon, but a full 55 is a lot of weight. Has anyone ever heard of a metal stand collapsing? Am I worrying needlessly? Thanks for your help.
Noah

 

[SJ2K]

I can see why you'd be worries, personly if I was to fork out for a 55g tank I wouldnt risk cheaping out on a stand splash the extra £40 or so and get the manufactored stand is what id recommend.

 

[Rooster]

In my experience, dealers stands are built right on the limit ! Timber stands are dead easy to make, and dont forget the weight is distributed over a large area... more so that with the cheap (cheap?) metal angle iron ones, I have seen these sink into wooden floors... so if you do decide to buy an angle iron one, put small plates under the bottom.

Steel is quite cheap too (compared to LFS prices) so if you know anyone with a MIG welder.... ;-)

My own preference is for timber frames, made from "CLS" - really cheap wood, doors etc are easier to fit than onto metal, and woods very forgiving the ham-fisted DIYer ! LOL

 

[neonoah75]

Actually, it would be steel. It would be this one: http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=9883

The angle iron (which is cheaper, and more cheaply made, by all accounts) is this one. http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=16782

But obviously, they'd be bigger.

 

[Chrispixx]

The stand in the 2nd link they don't even offer it for a 55 gal. So you would have to get the one in the first link which looks more heavy duty. The only problem is the pic shows a smaller stand, but a 55 gal. is longer so it would have to have supports in the center, therefore i would want to see a picture of the actual 55 gal. stand.

Another thing wood stands are just better IMO, warmer, not like cold steel and wood ones usually have a cabinet to store stuff in.

You could get this Stand its got to be heavy duty enough to hold the tank and it got a good review.

 

[neonoah75]

Yeah, wrong link. Sorry about that. It doesn't matter, anyway. The tank you linked is way better. I have ordered one. Thank you.