Metal Aquarium Stands

[kingmed]

I have 2 29 gallon black metal aquarium stands that were given to me, 1 I know has had a tank on it and the other one probably did at one time. Are these very sturdy, that don't look to sturdy diffently not as much as a cabinet type. They have the 4 metal legs that come down and form a loop to support the stand and go up to form the stand, also they have a shelf or what seems to be a spot for another tank on the bottom. 1 tank has it's legs angled out ever so slightly and the other one has straight legs, supported of course by the bottom shelf on each. My questions are----how sturdy are these type stands, never used them before but I figure since they are free I'd hate to waste them, also it seems they are an older model stand, can't even find a picture on the internet of them. Other question is can another tank be put underneath these tanks or is the shelf mainly cosmetic.

 

[The-Wolf]

if your stand looks like this

then yes you can have another tank underneath

 

[kingmed]

if your stand looks like this

then yes you can have another tank underneath

It looks some what like it except no support brace on either shelf and I think one stand might have the shelf a little higher, hard to tell. The thinking on my part is if I put a piece of plywood on the bottom that might support it enough for a smaller tank?

 

[Lhutch]

i always use wood,i figure with a fish tank i dont wanna take any chances, i had rather not have a big spill

 

[kingmed]

if your stand looks like this

then yes you can have another tank underneath

I'm sorry I just looked at it after getting home from work and the bottom on one has 4 long bars on bottom lengthwise and at least 3 shorter bars widthwise crossing them, so I'm thinking it has alot of support down below for another smaller tank.

 

[BigC]

For those type of stands I normally place a piece of Plywood on the bars anyway both top and bottom tiers and dont forget the polystyrene tiles if you haven't got a framed tank.

 

[fishbone]

I've got a 4ft stand similar to that (no cross bracing) As everyone else has suggested place a board and if needed some styrofoam. I've got a 4ft tank on the top shelf and two 2ft stands underneath. Very stable, I have also put those little furniture cups under the feet otherwise they dig into the carpet.

K

 

[Straydum]

they're not bad actually. i mean they work. i have one which holds 2 29 gallons. one top and one below. both with styrofoam

 

[kingmed]

I'm sorry for not understanding but where would you place the styrofoam? and do you put the plywood on the rack for the tank to set on with the styrofoam? Thanks.

 

[Tolak]

The need for styrofoam depends on the tank design. Some are made with a floating bottom, which is supported by the rim of the tank. You do not want to use styrofoam with this design, as it may put pressure on the bottom pane of glass. This sort of tank is not designed for this pressure, and you risk cracking the bottom.

In a traditional design the bottom does support the tank, this is where styrofoam comes into play. It eliminates any unevenness, and prevents any small particles from creating a pressure point. If you have this sort of tank, and a stand with an open frame designed for tanks with a floating base, you will need to put plywood, then styrofoam on top of the stand.

 

[Lhutch]

wood looks better,its more sturdy,definitly worth it

 

[Tolak]

wood looks better,its more sturdy,definitly worth it

That depends on how it's built, and what materials it's made of. I've seen some stands made of composition board that I would be afraid to set an empty tank on. I don't like how most commercially made stands are built in general, the worst are the composition wood stands, and the bolt together metal stands. The welded metal stands are reasonably sturdy, as are the hardwood stands.