Dumb tank + stand question

okay, i think this used stand has been altered, but I am going to look a new 75 gal stands tonight at petco to confirm this theory. I saw some residual glue and two bend nails that looks like some support boards were removed. I know, I sound paranoid! But it's going to take me months to get all the peices I need togeather for this planted tank, so I am going to be documenting this whole process. That includes all these little issues I run into, and so hopefully someone can learn from this journal and/or enjoy watching the progress. I know I have enjoyed other members tank journals immensely.

(1) What are you guy's thoughts on bracing/reinforcing this used tank with some glued in MDF from Home Depot?

(2) What are your thoughts on cracked tank plastic rims? Mine is broken in two places, which I have duck taped togeather. How critical are these rims, and would it help to silicone the broken peices togeather plus to the glass, is duck tape or gorila tape okay? I know these tapes have a high tensile strength, but tape on a tank doesnt really install confidence with my co-workers...
 
I wouldn't call your concern "paranoia". That stand has to hold about 700 pounds.....and please don't take this the wrong way, but this whole thing from the particle board stand to the duct-taped tank rim sounds a little risky for an "office" setting. Apologies in advance if I offended, but in an office I'd rather see new equipment to eliminate the variables that come with using this older stuff.
 
andyjh said:
I wouldn't call your concern "paranoia". That stand has to hold about 700 pounds.....and please don't take this the wrong way, but this whole thing from the particle board stand to the duct-taped tank rim sounds a little risky for an "office" setting. Apologies in advance if I offended, but in an office I'd rather see new equipment to eliminate the variables that come with using this older stuff.
Click to expand...

No offense taken! Lucky I work in an office that is somewhat laid back, and the public does not come back here. So, in my case aesthetics of the used tank and used stand is not a worry, but you are correct, the variables here are a little worrisome in terms of the integrity of the used equipment. I think I am going to either do major reinforcement of the stand, or just replaces the stand. The tank I am going to have to fix, or kill this whole office tank idea completely.

Thanks for the input, that’s why I am posting all this, to get the feedback.
 
Okay, I have solved the mystery. The part of the stand the original owner was using as the base really is the base. I figured this out because the sides of the particle board trim has the fake wood grain on the top side of each trim piece, but not the bottoms. Likewise, when I was crawling around inside the stand, I noticed some glue, small tacking nails, and very slight water marks, on the side I was thinking was the top, where a shelf would sit.

Here's what the original owner did. The canisters filter, sump, etc, and water changes leaked onto the floor of the stand over time, and created water damage, rings, etc. In order to pass the stand of as newish, they ripped out the bottom floor/self, as there is hardly any other water damage on the other parts of the stand, and for the most part this trick worked, because it looked newish to me. What they didn’t realize is that I would rather have had this cosmetic water damage on this base than to have them rip it out, me fill 75gal tank with water, and have the whole thing collapse and smash all over my office.

So, what am I to do? I ran to Home Depot, got 3/4 inch MDF, had it cut to size, drove back to the office, laid down a bead of Liquid Nails, dropped the new shelf/floor/brace into place, (with the stand still upside down). Laid down more beads of caulk, and now I am sitting watching it dry. Tomorrow I will flip the stand back up and then I will seal the broken plastic rim on the tank with 100% Silicone, and ditch the duct tape.

:headbang2:

I think I will also measure for additional cross bracing that will provide load bearing to the ground.

pics%20110.JPG


pics%20112.JPG



pics%20114.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom