Fish Tank Stands....?

[SEW1965]

Hello again,
I appreciate all the replies to my filter question. Here's my next question.....I have to buy a stand for my 55 gal. (cheap as possible) and I need some suggestions on buying a proper stand to support the weight. My local P**co has a stand with a beautiful front and a half open back in an oak color for 109.99. The only problem I can see is that it is made from particle board which probably can't withstand moisture. It seems to be very sturdy. Another on is online at Dr. Forster and it says all wood construction. Does anyone have experience with either one?

BTW..I need to set this up soon and it's too cold outside to make one myself and stain it the color I want. My house is too crazy and my black lab won't stop shedding!

Thanks again and I appreciate ALL comments, Scott

[NJ Devils Fan]

I don't see a problem with that stand, just do your best to not get it wet.

BTW, it's ok to say the name of the place- Petco, Petland, Pet Smart, no big deal.

HTH

[superjohnny]

Originally posted by SEW1965
-cut-
The only problem I can see is that it is made from particle board which probably can't withstand moisture. -cut-

Yea particle board is really bad when it gets wet... especially when if it gives out you have a 55 gallon problem ;) My girlfriend & I went to Home Depot and fashioned ourselves up a stand for about $50. It's legs are 4"x4"'s with 2"x6" boards for the top and 2"x4"'s as support. It has steal braces and an un-godly amount of 6" screws (yea, like 30 something of those buggers) and a bunch of other smaller screws. We had 4 full-sized adults standing on it, jumping up and down and it didn't so much as flinch. Very nice, sturdy & cheap. It was fun to build to boot; a nice day project.

Good luck :)

<edit> Depo isn't a word, but Depot is ;)

[OrionGirl]

The stands sold at the LFS will support your tank, easily. If you're worried about the particle board getting wet, buy some sealer and slap a coat of that on. It won't make it water proof, but it will be water resistant--you just won't want to let water sit on it for more than an hour or so.

[morleyz]

I agree with OG and NJDF, I don't think you'd have a problem with the particle board stand as long as you don't have a leak or leave any standing water on it. Odds are they've sealed it sufficiently enough to withstand the amount of water you're going to get on it.

If you're looking for relatively cheap and a good long term stand, check out the metal stands. The nice thing about them is that when you're ready for that next tank (which we all are aren't we?) most of them are designed to hold 2 tanks top and bottom. If you look around you'll even likely find some that are pretty nice looking too. Only down side is that they don't have any built in storage.

[beviking]

I bought that exact stand (well it was $109.99 anyway) from Petco when I got my 55g. As stated, I applied two coats of polyurethane on the inside "just in case". Its held up for two years with no sign of trouble (with kids running around, believe me, I check!).

If you're looking for cheap, building your own (as stated) is far cheaper!!!! Good luck.

[ParadiseofFishe]

If you happen to know a good welder you can get an all steel stand. I have 3 of them now, plus other steel furniture. Talk about sturdy! If you would like to see pics I will post the link to my hubbys site
http://hometown.aol.com/todd77357/steelaquariumstands.html

[tyler]

i think he's going with the theory that evertime you spell out petco, a petco will die.

[latazyo]

in that case:

PETCO PETCO PETCO PETCO


and I bet the dude taht built his out of 4x4's and 2x6's coudl park a truck on that *******, holy hanna

[NJ Devils Fan]

Hahahaha