Cabinets

[MermaidMel]

Do you think a solid wood sideboard would take the weight of a tank in the same dimensions that a cabinet would be?

 

[minxfishy]

Probably better made than most chipboard cabinets these days.

 

[MermaidMel]

Probably better made than most chipboard cabinets these days.

That's what I figured myself, I have the hifi cabinet, which is small but heavy, there is a 4ft matching sideboard available and I really want it!x

 

[minxfishy]

If there is any concern, you could always reinforce it inside (dont ask me how, Im no DIY person)

 

[MermaidMel]

If there is any concern, you could always reinforce it inside (dont ask me how, Im no DIY person)

Yep you're right, I would put a couple of those silver poles inside that you use for holding up kitchen units or hanging clothes inside a wardrobe, good thinking batgirl xx

 

[meguro]

depends on how the cabinet was built

 

[plecostomus-mad]

my dad has a sideboard/chest of draws in his living room. he had a 4 ft tank on there ( mine )and it held up very well, no bowing etc. it was made of pine

 

[MermaidMel]

What about this one for example, would it matter if the legs were long like this one, would it still give the support needed to support a 4ft tank? I don't know why I think the legs would be weak, I am not structurally minded

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/INSTINCTS-WIDE-LIGHT-OAK-SIDEBOARD_W0QQitemZ300399336093QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_LivingRoomFurniture_EH?hash=item45f1321a9d

 

[ellena]

I wouldn't trust any decorative piece of furniture to support a large tank long term. Check my recent thread with pics of my sideboard. The fact it's solid wood doesn't necessarily make it stronger. It's the structure and the joints. Most commercially available units are chipboard/MDF aren't they? I presume they are extensively tested 'cos people would sue them to hell if it broke and their tank smashed and water everywhere
The legs will mean all the weight is bearing down on 4 very small areas, rather than being spread out.
On the DIY forum, they should be able to give you some ideas about reinforcing ordinary furniture, which you could do yourself or maybe get a joiner to do?
Nice sideboard though

 

[ellena]

Jeez! Just seen the price! For that I'm sure you could get a joiner to build you a lovely, purpose designed cabinet. Whereabouts in the UK are you? Anywhere near Wharf aquatics, pinxton? They have a tank building section and have lovely stands. They will design and build stands without tanks-I've enquired in the past.

 

[MermaidMel]

Jeez! Just seen the price! For that I'm sure you could get a joiner to build you a lovely, purpose designed cabinet. Whereabouts in the UK are you? Anywhere near Wharf aquatics, pinxton? They have a tank building section and have lovely stands. They will design and build stands without tanks-I've enquired in the past.

That was just an example, that price one, they range from used for £80 upwards, but couldn't find a big enough picture of any others

 

[MermaidMel]

Chopping the legs off seems a good idea though! But when you buy fish tank cabinets, they provide little feet don't they, I've never used them, I prefer to bear the weight evenly so I've always left the feet off completely and as you say, these as chipboard cabinets anyway so hardly the strongest structures in the world.

 

[plecostomus-mad]

What about this one for example, would it matter if the legs were long like this one, would it still give the support needed to support a 4ft tank? I don't know why I think the legs would be weak, I am not structurally minded

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/INSTINCTS-WIDE-LIGHT-OAK-SIDEBOARD_W0QQitemZ300399336093QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_LivingRoomFurniture_EH?hash=item45f1321a9d

i would avoid furniture with legs. if the base of the unit is on the floor it will give better support. if in doubt, add supports inside. i would use some timber supports, glued and screwed ......nails come loose over time.i would think supporting it in the middle of the cabinet, like if the top is say 48 x 18, measure the width to 9 and place 3-4 supports inside, from one end to another. so one at every 12 inches along the length of the unit would be ideal.3 x 3 timber would be ok.

although for that price you could get one made.lol

 

[MermaidMel]

What about this one for example, would it matter if the legs were long like this one, would it still give the support needed to support a 4ft tank? I don't know why I think the legs would be weak, I am not structurally minded

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/INSTINCTS-WIDE-LIGHT-OAK-SIDEBOARD_W0QQitemZ300399336093QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_LivingRoomFurniture_EH?hash=item45f1321a9d

i would avoid furniture with legs. if the base of the unit is on the floor it will give better support. if in doubt, add supports inside. i would use some timber supports, glued and screwed ......nails come loose over time.i would think supporting it in the middle of the cabinet, like if the top is say 48 x 18, measure the width to 9 and place 3-4 supports inside, from one end to another. so one at every 12 inches along the length of the unit would be ideal.3 x 3 timber would be ok.

although for that price you could get one made.lol

I wouldn't spend £300 on a sideboard lol, I am asking because there's some 2nd hand ones on Ebay, that's a brand new one

 

[meguro]

i wouldnt use less then 2"x3" as legs for a 150 litre tank. and as already mentioned depends how the joins are