Aquarium Stands

[Mr.September15]

OK, So after I have filled and emptied out my 30gallon aquarium. I was thinking of buying a new stand. As the table I was putting on it has a maximum weight limit of 40pounds . Thank God I read the caution sticker under the table. Anywho,I live in the U.S so I was thinking of getting some reviews on some good stands. I read reviews about some and everyone was giving a diffrent answer. I wasnt looking on buying those oak stands but if there cheap I would like to buy them. I was mainly looking at the metal ones. But I dont see how that works.Theres a big hole in the stand. Heres an example...

http://www.all-glass.com/products/stands/images/tdmetal_img.gif[img]

How does this hold a tank? If thers no support on the top shelf , are the outer metal bars supposed to hold the tank?

 

[30tooo]

How does this hold a tank? If thers no support on the top shelf , are the outer metal bars supposed to hold the tank?
[/quote]
As far as I am aware the "all glass tanks" that you buy commercially are designed to be used with this type of stand . The tank I bought a few months ago is a 5 x 2 x 2 tank made with 10mm thick glass which is double thickness at the base . It is truly amazing to think a bit of glass can hold up all the gravel , rocks , water etc without so much as a creek . I was lucky enough to get a metal stand made for me . I to was nervous about the bottom and eventually decided to put a piece of board topped with a thin layer of polystyrene underneath just to make sure . Then I added some wood mouldings around the bottom of the tank , board , and frame just to tidy it up .

Obviously whatever stand you purchase make sure it WILL take the weight . The stand I had made had 2 metric tons of steel plate placed on it with a forklift and left overnight . Over the top I know but it saves the wifes slippers getting wet while she clears up the mess !!!!!

 

[Mr.September15]

Hmm, Well my tank is from All Glass Aquariums, so is it ok to use there product? Or am I better off with one that has a wide table instead of the metal bars on the outside?

 

[mr.dark-saint]

The stands of "Glass" and "Acrylic" differ. Glass tanks sole is the plastic frame that is where the weight is pushing. So the open iron work can be seated as long as the frame of the tank is supported. Now the Acrylic tank has to have the whole entire bottom supported so no open work stand after 20 or maybe 30-ish gallons (beyond that I would not recomend this). You can use a open iron stand just need to place a sheet of wood inside the frame to help support the acrylic tank. Now the cool part is Acrylic tank stand can be used with "Glass" with no ill effect (just can't flip flop with acrylic that way).

As for the one pictured I'd be scared to put a reptile tank with an inch of Repti-Bark . To me it's made to hold a nice tray of African Violets .

I wouldn't look for a Nice stand for a 30 gallon since the stand can't be up-ed with the tank (since it's foot print is very limited). If you want go buy a metal shelves with wood sheets to hold heavy gear from Home Depot that way you can have 2 or 4 or more tanks on a rack shelf . That is if you're looking in to multiples and not size.

 

[Mr.September15]

The stands of "Glass" and "Acrylic" differ. Glass tanks sole is the plastic frame that is where the weight is pushing. So the open iron work can be seated as long as the frame of the tank is supported. Now the Acrylic tank has to have the whole entire bottom supported so no open work stand after 20 or maybe 30-ish gallons (beyond that I would not recomend this). You can use a open iron stand just need to place a sheet of wood inside the frame to help support the acrylic tank. Now the cool part is Acrylic tank stand can be used with "Glass" with no ill effect (just can't flip flop with acrylic that way).

As for the one pictured I'd be scared to put a reptile tank with an inch of Repti-Bark . To me it's made to hold a nice tray of African Violets .

I wouldn't look for a Nice stand for a 30 gallon since the stand can't be up-ed with the tank (since it's foot print is very limited). If you want go buy a metal shelves with wood sheets to hold heavy gear from Home Depot that way you can have 2 or 4 or more tanks on a rack shelf . That is if you're looking in to multiples and not size.

Hmm OK im so confused at this point...So is it ok for me to put my tank on that iron thingy? Or not? Or do I have to put some wood thing under it for more support?

 

[vic]

The stand supports the tank only on the outside perimeter. The link you have shows a stand that to me does NOT support the tank at all. The support needs to be at all corners, not just the back corners. This stand should come with a wet/dry vacuum!

http/www.petsolutions.com/55+Gallon+Meta...-C-1045-C-.aspx

The above will take you to an example of an appropriate metal stand. The wood stands that provide storage underneath are a better stand if you have the coin.

Cheers;