can hold weight of tank?

[ryanTEXAS]

i want to buy this bookshelf and lay it on its side to put a tank on top of it. i want to buy a 55 gallon tank. im sure the dimensions of the shelf are fine for the tank (correct me if im wrong, the dimensions are there in the url. also remember im going to lay it on its side!) but now im thinking the weight of the tank will crush this thing.

heres the url to the bookshelf http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103085

what do you think?

 

[Weezer]

The width on its side would be 15 3/8 , IMO it looks like it would be top heavy, it may work on a solid floor, but i wouldn't try it on carpet.. but thats me......

 

[gotglock]

I really would suggest getting a real tank stand. They are built tough for a reason.

 

[PDX-PLT]

A rickety particleboard, fiberboard and plastic Ikea shelf turned on its side with several hundred pounds of aquarium on top? IMHO not a good idea.

 

[ryanTEXAS]

instead of a 55 gallon should i get a 33 gallon long? will drop the weight from about 625 to 385. both tanks have same length and a width difference of about 1" i think.

im just trying to find an efficient way to combine a tank stand and shelving for stuff. i just want to know if its safe for my tank. i guess this isnt a good idea. thanks guys for steering me away from an ill mistake. couldnt imagine how i would feel with a shattered tank and dead fishies on my floor!

 

[gotglock]

Then I would suggest building your own. Build it out of oak and paint it however you want or leave it the Oak color to match most homes. I've helped build tank stands from scratch for a few buds. Its incredibly fun and you can do what you want with it.

 

[Cory Keeper]

I agree, build your own so you can over engineer the thing, Mine was built for a 20g tank, its holding about another 100 pounds or so, still doing fine.

 

[fishorama]

I would not trust the Ikea "stand", go with something made to hold the weight.

 

[NJLuke]

Particle board and water do not go togher well. I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Cliff Mayes]

Particle board turns to mush if it gets wet. Anything around a tank will get wet.

Actual weight is complicated by sideways movement or racking as it is sometimes called in a house. The possibility of a tank stand twisting to the side is dangerous. Having a triangle or piece of plywood , of some sort, in your design is a good idea. The only rigid form is a triangle but any ply board is a good substitute.

I have made tank stands from Luan and 3/4 inch strips of 1 bys glued into the corners for years. For really large tanks 1/2 strips of 2 x 4s or 2 x 3s is more than enough strength to hold the tank up. For a good example look at Kitchen cabinets to see the same design. You can use 2 x 4s to construct a stand, 'cause they are cheap, but it is not a necessity.