aquarium stand for 40g

Roll top desk as stand?

I sorta had my heart set on putting this 4 ft 55 gallon on top of my Oak roll top desk. The back/top (not writing surface), seems solid enough, it is once inch thick and well supported on the ends, but the middle doesn't have solid support. Will wieght be distributed in a way that it will carry the load? As much as I am hoping you say yes, I do not want a disaster on that magnitude it if won't.
KathyW
 
Wow, why not just pour a complete solid block of concrete...not really.
First look at the upright supports. Pine is soft wood, more likely to warp from simple moisture differences and under a load. Oak is a hardwood. A 2"X2" piece of oak set at each corner and at the midpoint in front and back is PLENTY strong enough to hold a 55gal tank let alone a 40.
Second, as mentioned, the load from the tank must be distributed evenly to the upright supports. I would worry more about the horizontal surface the tank is sitting on than the uprights. Using felt or foam (something that won't deteriorate or lose integrity when wet) is a good idea to use to line the bottom of the tank to make up for slight imperfections. Any warping, sagging in the supporting surface (top of stand) will almost certainly result in a leak.
Lastly (certainly NOT least) is how the uprights and top are locked together. The joints are certainly important but there should be other sufficient material (such as plywood, not mdf) attached to sides and top to prevent rocking, either forward or sideways.
Given ample upright support and top, the bracing material could be 1/2" plywood unless you run into it with your car!

That said, I would not use bathroom or other cabinets unless I was certain of the top (probably use a piece of 3/4" plywood) and certain the bracing material (on the sides, back and/or front) were adequate (ie plywood, not paneling, mdf).
The oak furniture...?
 
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