Stand Issue

NcAcid

Registered Member
Aug 16, 2007
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Hi, I bought a new 125 gallon long tank and when I put it on the stand I notice that it hangs off on the sides about 3/4 to 1 inch on each side. The majority of the tank, the front and back sit on the stand fine, it's just the two sides. I was wondering if this would be a problem, might it compromise the integrity of my tank or is it even a problem at all?
 
Yes it is going to be a problem as it is going to shift the load of the tank and cause stress along areas of the tank which are not going to be able to take the additional stress load. This could cause cracks or complete fractures within the walls of a tank. The tank needs to be supported on all sides and at a minium twice in the middle.

I personally would not chance having a 125 gallons of water spilling out anywhere.

Also tanks should not be supported on things not intended to support something that large/heavy (ie desks etc)..

There are several places on the net that will show you how to DIY a stand if you are handy. And really doesn't need anything more than a 2 x 4 structure (which should be able to be purchsed cheap).. You could then cover the sides with cloth or something else to remove the eye sore value.
 
I second that....that is approx. 1000 pounds of water and if you glass is not supported correctly, I think at the very least is forcing a leak.

Stands are not that expensive.
 
I have adapted narrow stands by putting a piece of 1/2" ply on top that extends past the tank, and then a piece of 1/2" cultured marble on top of it. I'm pretty confident about it's stability. This was for a 20 gallon tank though, I'm not sure I'd do that for a 125...
 
When I was looking at making a DIY stand for my 210g, I had planned on making a 2x4 frame that would hold the tank, and then covering it with this wanescoting (sp?) type plywood from Lowes and maybe using soem 1x4's for trim. you can also make doors pretty cheap and just have to buy the hardware. Originally, I was going to do solid oak stand with nice joinery and all that stuff (I'm fortunate to have access to endless woodworking equipment at work) but my plan slowly got easier and easier...until I discovered I could buy a Perfecto stand for around $300...bingo! And fyi, the Perfecto stand is made completely out of 1x4's....scary, but it holds up the tank and water and rocks just fine. There's a picture of it here.
My $.02....
Robbie
 
That is a nice stand there (the perfecto). The reason I want a DIY though is because I plan on spending the big bucks on a nice stand when I get a bigger tank which I know will be much sooner that I think ;)
 
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