The Long Stand.

[Fastblur]

I'm thinking of getting another tank (http/www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/rena-aquarama-o-6.html) but it just occurred to me that such a tank would weigh over 100Kg when full. The spot I have earmarked for it is big enough, but what I'm wondering is should I purchase the stand at an extra £60 (which for me is quite an expense on top of the tank) or rely on what until now looked like a sturdy bookcase. I'm having horrifying visions of hearing a snap in the middle of the night and having one of the most unpleasant wake ups since time began.
So the long and the short of it is:
- How to test a bit of furniture for strength, short of standing on it myself.?
-Stand yay or nay?
-While we're at it, anyone ever had one of the Rena aquariums?

Anyway, thanks for reading.

 

[carrera]

its always best to go for stands built for aquariums. the sturdy bookcase can probably hold some heavy books but i wouldnt risk it with a fish tank

 

[BBrain]

It may actually weigh 150 kg. or more. Don't forget to add in the weight of the tank itself, the gravel (17 kg or so), rocks, small equipment, etc., as well as the water.

If you can't visually assess the strength of your bookcase, don't take a chance! Get the factory aquarium stand!!!!!!

 

[Fastblur]

Erk. That's like me, plus all my weights, and a small armoured car on top of the book case.
I think I can get a steel bookcase, that ought to take it. (crosses fingers).

 

[Tolak]

Post a few pics of the bookcase, front, side, & back view. If you can't post pics, measure the sixe & thickness of the top, uprights, and any other support members.

Often if a bookcase, dresser, or whatever isn't quite sturdy enough, it can be beefed up with a few 2x4's & some screws. I built all of my own stands & racks, if you ever look inside a store bought wood stand you will wonder how they can warranty any tank sitting on them.

 

[Fastblur]

Tolak: right oh, it's a pine book shelf, the wood is a uniform 1.5cm thick.
Height: 60 cm
Depth:35 cm
Length: 90cm
It's built like an old fashioned window, a + inside a square. Looking at it, I reckon I could simply buttress it with some wood. I just hope it'd be strong enough.
Any excuse to start sawing and hammering really...

 

[Tolak]

If it's just a rectangle with 1 vertical support in the center, it will need some diagonal support if it has no back. If you cut 12 pieces of 2x4, and use those to reinforce the 3 verticals above & below the shelf, front & back, that will give you vertical strength. That's around $5 in lumber around here. If there is no back, get a piece of plywood, 60cm x 90 cm , 3/8" thickness should be fine.

Put the 2x4s on the inside of the "windowframe", making sure they fit tight top & bottom, & screw these in from the outside on the outside edges. Put the 2x4s on either side of the center vertical, as long as they are stacked on top of each other with the middle shelf, the horizontal of the"+" in between. Now screw the back to the 2x4 verticals. If there is any concern about the top warping, add a piece of plywood to the top, 5/8" or 3/4" thick. This will give you the strength you need for any tank that will fit, while still keeping the outside looking like a bookcase. You could stain the 2x4s & plywood to match to dress it up, I'm guessing you'd be spending around $25 for wood, screws, & stain, at the prices around here.

 

[Fastblur]

Wow, thankyou very much.

(sawing noises)

 

[Tolak]

I love building stuff, been doing it since I was a kid. I usually have a few projects going on at any given time that are in various stages of building, rebuilding, or repairing.

 

[Fastblur]

I'm just sorry this projects not an excuse to fire up the chainsaw...

 

[gems]

No idea about the furniture problem, but you asked about Rena tanks - our 60l tank is a Rena. Its quite good, has a sturdy hood, doesn't leak (yet!), came as a setup with everything we needed.

 

[BigIan]

beefing up the stand is easy for any man with power tools :


i`ve got a reena 222 l tak and its ace it came with the stand and it`s all top notch and very very god damn gorgeous

 

[dgwebster]

ok i skipped a little bit at the end there, one important question: how has the pine been treated? Pine is a softwood and not the best for the larger tanks.

 

[Tolak]

It really doesn't matter if the wood is softer pine, once you build it up with the 2x4 bracing, the old bookcase is mainly cosmetic. The support is taken over by the 2x4s.

 

[dgwebster]

you are correct wit hthat. but i asked how it was treated, as it will be very susceptable to water damage and becoming unsightly.