I think I need some reassurance ...

H2Ogal

H2Ogal

Betta Be Good to Me
Mar 16, 2010
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Memphis, TN
Real Name
Deborah
My used 20g long set-up came with a stress-loaded iron aquarium stand almost identical to this one:
stand.jpg
When on the stand, the tank frame drops down between the outer two rings and rests on the eight crosspieces. Once in place, there is no room for fingers, and no way to lift the tank except by grasping the sides/top.

Before I set up the tank, I put a 1/2" layer of heavy-duty rubber floor matting under it and did a test fill with water only. The tank leveled out perfectly, the rubber compressed by about half, and everything looked good. Unfortunately, I didn't think about the added weight of a 3" deep sand bed, and now that the tank is set-up (and planted!), I've realized that the rubber matting is much more deeply compressed — especially, of course, at the crossbars.

I'm wishing now that I had added a solid board under the matting so that it was compressed equally all the way around, and the frame would be supported all the way around. Unfortunately, even if I drained the tank, the wet sand probably weighs 100+ lbs, and there's no way to get the tank off of the stand without lifting it by the top/sides, which I'm afraid would damage the seams.

Am I over-thinking things? Should I just stop worrying, enjoy my tank, and post some pics of my nicely planted tank, or what?

stand.jpg
 
Have no clue if it is really a problem, but for me I would prefer to have the entire tank's edges supported, vice just 8 spots. Take a pic now for history, then drain, remove sand and add that board you were mentioning...think you will sleep better in the long run.
 
I agree with bob here.....
 
i always use the 5/8 pre finished white shelving from home depot or menards,,,lowes... cheap and it looks good and they will cut to size.... here is pic of my 29 on it....its makes contact all the way around

100_1675.jpg
 
You can slide the tank(pushing/pulling near the bottom) off to the side over the stand's edge and then lift it by the bottom. I have moved 55s with 2in wet sand no problem, it's just more heavy.
 
Darn ... I was really kinda hoping folks would say, hey, no problem. :uhoh:

I really do appreciate the advice to re-do the tank, even if it will make some serious work. Perhaps draining the water will allow the rubber to decompress, raising the tank enough to move it sideways off the stand. If not, I see no way to get it out of the stand without stressing the seams. (It sits down between the rings and can't slide.)

As for what to put under it, should I stick to solid wood? How well would particle board or MDF hold up?

pjrichar, could you provide a link to that shelving? I checked the HD and Lowes websites but didn't see anything that looked right.
 
You just have to ask the right person LOL. It all depends how long the tank set up has been working without a problem. If you have had it filled and working with the steel and rubber mat for more then 6 months without any signes of an issue or problem why fix it?

Its not so much not having more area of contact with a board as much as not having hard pressure points on the glass increasing pounds per square inches of stress in single small spots. The matting compressed rubber is probubly spreading those 8 contact points over a much greater area and without hard points and in fact probably provides excellent contact to prevent slippage. A wood board thick enough to do any good would look tacky and with only 8 hard steel supports would probably warp over time anyway making a situation worse as wood need full perimeter support or it will warp.

Your probably increasing your chances of a leak or crack by going through all the changes and risk movements you will have to put your tank through and the tank seals having to re-adjust to a new footing setup under stress. Just when they were settled and stretched into position, now they have to go through a change just over speculation.

Just leave it and enjoy, oh and post those photos.
 
I agree with above, I had the same exact stand for almost 2years before giving to a friend here on AC. He still uses the same stand w/o the foam or board underneath.

I was scared to death to use the stand like you were also being stress loading it felt so cheap and shaky when the tank was empty. But after being setup it was fairly solid, and I never worried about it for the entire time.

good luck either way. If it really bothers you, piece of mind is priceless go ahead with your board/foam. Doesn't hurt to be over cautious.
 
i searched lowes site,, couldnt find the exact stuff,, i thought i found it the item said 2 sides white,,but pic wasnt white...its in there lumber area.. so if you want just get your sizes you want it cut,,,i go little bigger set fish net on side or food etc... they all have it,,, you might find cutoffs that people didnt want for super cheap...
 
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