I'd like to ask your opinions

Blinky

Blinky

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Jun 22, 2004
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Hi guys,
I'm starting to think it's time for a new tank - my 45 is only 7 or 8 years old, but it's really starting to look its age. The thin edges of the silicone are starting to flake off :eek: and there are scratches on the glass (my fault, but this is how we learn). The tank's dimensions are also frustrating when it comes to planting - it's only 12" front to back. I want to keep the new filter and lights I've got, and the tank is built into a nook in our wall that's about 48" wide, so I'm going to stick with something 36" long (the light fixture is 36") but try to get a wider (front to back) tank.
That means I'm going to need a new stand. I'm thinking I'd like to do a cinder block stand and then fashion a wooden box, with doors at the front, around it to hide the equipment. I've made a picture of the setup (without the doors) and I'd like to ask you guys if you think this is a suitable arrangement - in other words, will this be strong enough to hold a ~55g tank up for many years.
The best size I've found by Googling aquarium sizes seems to be the 55g High - 24" high (I have a 45g High now, and really like this height), 15" deep and 36" long. Does anyone know if this size is readily available? I'm not sure I've ever seen it. AFAIK, cinder blocks are 16" long, so I can't get a tank that's 18" deep (also, that would be pushing it for space - our 'nook' is about 20" deep).
Opinions, thoughts, suggestions are all appreciated.
 
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As far as the support for the tank, the setup looks like it will work. I'm not sure that they make 2" thick pieces of plywood, but any other strong piece of wood to disperse the weight out to the bloxks will suffice. You may also want to disperse the weight again at the bottom depending on the construction of the floor. I would also paint ther cinder blocks to seal them for long term reliability.
 
I'm surprised the tank looks old already. My 40g is somewhere over 30 years old. Don't know how old, but I've had it for almost 30 years and it was an old tank then. I has a nasty looking repair at one end where my brother ran into it with his motor bike (yes, it was in the living room at the time) which is double thickness glass. Quick repair so I could get the fish back in and safe, but stayed that way the last 25 years...

It is also an odd size, I think. 34" long and 20" wide - with only about 17" of water depth (tank 19" high)... Makes it nice for plants... I don't have much plant life tho, not enough light and only found one plant that survives in the tank. Not sure what it is even... I'm not really into the plant side of it :)

I would think you could put the 18" on 16" blocks. I would if I was doing it anyway. It's only 1" overhang that would be supported by the top ply, which is not problem I would think?
 
If you want a high quality tank built to your dimensions I suggest you call John from North American Fish Breeders. Get him to quote you on a tank that you want. He does good work.

North American Fish Breeders, 2260 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, Ontario, M1N 1T9, phone 416-267-7252.
 
i used to get cinderblocks and then make a frame on top of that with 2x4s and lay a half inch piece of plywood on top.
 
Captain Hook - The world feels so very small right now... North American Fish Breeders is the place I got my first tank, almost 15 years ago! I didn't know he built tanks himself; I'll give him a call. It's always nice to support a smaller store rather than a giant franchise. I'll let him know there's someone out there saying nice things about his work, too :D

Amosf - I'm surprised too, but the tank has taken a lot over the years - it's been scrubbed incorrectly and scratched, it's been moved several times, and it's probably not that high-quality to start with - as I recall, it wasn't very expensive.

I get a bit nervous thinking about any overhang but I'm sure it's fine. I'd really like an 18" wide tank, even though it would be a tight fit (there would only be about 2" between the wall and the tank, but I'm using a canister now so I guess I don't need the space I used to need for HOBs) - not only would it give me more surface area and gallons of water, it would be much easier to create a beautiful planted tank with a 36" x 18" footprint.
 
I'd personally go with the 18" if you can fit it in. The support wouldn't be a problem and it would have a lot more room to work with inside.
 
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