Will this support a 55 gallon tank?

[samson7]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1974 Lane Staccato Brutalist dresser that I want to put a 55 gallon tank on. It weighs well over 100lbs and is made of walnut (at least the big chunks are).

I'm going to reinforce each corner with galvanized 9" brackets but it's the top corner (with the red circle) that is proving to be a challenge.

Will all this make this able to support a 55 gallon tank?

 

[julielynn47]

Pretty heavy water weight will be sitting on it. I think you should screw or glue some wood supports in those areas where there are cracks.
Very nice looking shelf btw

 

[Uberhoust]

Looks pretty solid but as you mentioned the top edge is only supported by three fasteners and glue additionally the bottom has a floating edge supported by the bottom board in the cabinet, both are weak points, you want unbroken, or compressive, floor to tank support. The two mid dividers will provide most of the strength and support of the tanks but the ends not so much. I suspect it will hold, but there would be some risk. After a second look at the back, my opinion would be that it would be sketchy at best. It looks like the back is mostly supported from the ends and the front mostly support by the mid supports used to mount the doors.

 

[CassCats]

Id lean a definite no on this particular shelf. Though it is solid, the side ends don't touch the bottom of the ground. Thats not enough grounded support and all of the pressure will be on the 1 vertical spot that does reach the floor.

If you can have a dresser that is completely supported on 3 points straight to the floor, and is solid wood--not particle board--then it'd be a better choice. My 55g in my bedroom is on a dresser, but it's solid wood and flat to the floor, not on legs or a weird base like yours is.