FAQs about Stands, Supports for
Aquariums: Commercial
Related Articles: Aquarium Stands, Marine
Tanks, Canopies, Covers &
Lighting Fixtures,
Related FAQs: Aquarium Stands 1, Aquarium Stands 2, What to Use, About
Floors Underneath, DIY, Finishing/Coating, Leveling, Modification, Repair, & Tanks, Tanks 2,
Tanks 3, Tanks 4, Aquarium
Repair 1, Acrylic Aquarium
Repair, Used Aquarium
Gear,
|
|
Glass aquarium on an acrylic stand?
4/25/20
Hello and thank you in advance!
I have an old, scratched up (I believe* 75 gallon) acrylic tank with a
matching acrylic stand (Tenecor). If I bought a glass aquarium do you
think it would be safe to use the acrylic stand for it? The acrylic
stuff seems
so perfectly paired, with so much even contact. I worry the heavier
glass aquarium with its stress points might not match up. Any thoughts?
Thank you again.
Lance
<It should work; that is, all the commercial acrylic, made for acrylic
tank stands I've encountered have been sufficiently strong, level and
planar to accommodate the same size (base) glass tank. IF you're
concerned re the contact points, do consider first testing to see if
(with filling the new tank on the stand), that there are no gaps twixt
the face of the stand and tank itself. IF there are small ones (like a
credit card width), insert a
piece of foam (Lowe's, Home Depot...) between the two. IF there is/are
large/r gaps, put a cut piece of plywood between them. Bob Fenner>
Re: Glass aquarium on an acrylic stand?
4/25/20
Thank you for your prior answer! I have one more related to tanks. Is it
abnormal for a glass aquarium to bow out, or should it be perfectly
straight?
<Glass does bow... not often perceptibly... but yes>
I have a common 55 gallon (48”x12.5”x21”)
<Okay... I recall the width as 12.75">
that is half an inch wider in the middle (13”, measured on top) than it
is on the ends. And the middle plastic support brace is almost
disconnected now on one side.
<Mmm; well; you DO want that plastic bracing (or a retrofit, like a
Euro-brace) in place. Manufacturers do offer, sell replacements>
I am kind of freaking out, now that I know this. That’s what prompted my
prior question, and am frantically looking to replace this tank out of
fear that it is about to go. It’s an old tank, with a 17-year-old
Ocellaris clown as one occupant. And she’s my baby and I want no harm to
come to her.
<If practical I would drain the water down 5... 6 inches at least for
now. Bob Fenner>
Your New Aquarium: Tips For Beginners - WETWEBMEDIA
8/10/18
Hi dear sir or madam:
This is Karlin Tian from Foshan Yingfa Factory , i know you have engaged in
production and sell the Aquarium tank etc .
Our factory are specialized in providing composite waterproof boards for
Aquarium furniture , Aquarium cabinet , Aquarium stand etc .
Follow have some our client’s finished products for your reference .
If you need this waterproof board contact me get more .
Thanks and best regards.
<Hello Karlin; we don't manufacture or-resell aquarium gear, but I will post,
share your note and link for others perusal. Fortune passes everywhere. Bob
Fenner>
|
|
Modifying a commercial aquarium stand. 8/29/15
Hi guys,
<Tim>
This is my go to site for tank info. I have a laundry list of questions, here.
Hope it’s not too much. Here goes.
I have a 37 Column kit from Marineland/Perfecto. The stand is called the
“Newport”. It’s this one
http://postimg.org/gallery/15f8vkkk2/0a627091/.
<Okay; see it>
I am thinking of modifying it for additional support, and I’m not sure how to
proceed.
<Let's see>
The bottom is very thin plywood, probably 1/8”. I was thinking of reinforcing it
on the inside with 1/2” plywood on the bottom. I would simply glue this to the
existing bottom.
<Could do; and I'd put some flat head short screws in every six inches or so.
Oh. I should mention that the tank (via the frame) IS really only (meant to be)
supported on the four outside edges... the ply in the middle helps even out the
weight against these four edges>
The walls are 1/2” plywood. I would reinforce those with another sheet of the
same for each wall, cutting a hole for the door only.
<And the walls likewise are part of strengthening the other wood pieces inside>
I don’t need anywhere for wires to exit the back. My filters are internal. I
would take the reinforcing plywood all the way to the new plywood bottom. The
walls would hold the floor in place. The walls would be glued, and screwed to
the current walls, with 3/4” screws. I would use steel L brackets to secure the
new reinforcing plywood walls to each other in the corners.
<Good>
The top two supports are 3/4” plywood. I would place a piece in the middle
supported by the current lip. which will be wider with the addition of the
internal wall pieces. This will continue the support all the way across the top.
<Sounds good>
Alternatively:
I am concerned about messing with how the stand meets the ground. Should I
eliminate the floor. and bring the inside wall pieces up a 1/4”, and let the
current “feet” support the weight?
<I'd leave the floor in place. All pieces work together to hold the stand rigid
in three dimensions. Necessary>
Will this still increase the ability of my stand to carry the weight to the
floor? Will the screws rip out of the old walls, due to the new walls not going
to the bottom?
<Again; If anything, I'd just add the mentioned sheets of ply>
Or is my initial plan the wisest?
<Yes>
Third option:
Looking at the photos, should i just leave well enough alone? This is a
commercial stand. Maybe it will be fine? Should you even modify a commercial
stand?
<Mmm; well; it will function... but does look flimsy to me. In shaky ground
California, I'd be beefing it up>
Thanks for everything.
Tim
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
|
|
Questionable Aquarium Stand 11/15/14
Greetings WetWebMedia Crew, I'm considering buying a 55g (long)
acrylic SeaClear complete with stand, filtration and lighting. My
concern is with the stand. It looks professionally built but on the
deck(surface aquarium
sits on) there is only a 1in X 6in wood support on each end. So the
aquarium is only supported by these two supports about a 1/8in above the
deck surface. Could there be any way this is what the manufacturer
intended?
<Yes; but... and I share your concern. Would NOT go with this stand w/o
"beefing up" the under-support... Better still, finding, or building
something more substantial>
I'm guessing the aquarium is being improperly supported and stand could
be missing some parts. Could this of damaged the integrity off this
tank?
<Oh yes; though acrylic tanks are (relative to glass) tough... too much,
variable stress can result in failure>
The tank is currently full of water, no sagging downward but I did
notice a little bowing forward.
<This is the nature of these production units period... Esp. 55's...
typically nominally 48" by 13" by 20" or so dimensionally... made
commercially with at times 1/4 (or better 3/8") material... and not
always the better quality acrylic. Though SeaClear IS a good
make/manufacturer IMO/E... having had LONG experience with the company,
their old owners>
Owner said its been like that for years.
<Again; yes>
Aside from that tank is very clean with good looking seals and
affordably priced(under $200), would you recommend buying? Thanks
Brandon
<Yes; but the comments re the stand.... And what is archived on WWM re:
MUST be strong, planar and level... and the floor underneath... capable
of bearing the weight evenly. Bob Fenner>
Questionable Stand Design
11/9/14
Hi guys,
I just bought a 38 gallon Deep Blue tank, and a plywood/wood stand. I noticed
when a got it home that the tank did not stretch all the way to the ends on the
left & right.
<This is okay>
A call to the LFS said that it is sufficiently supported in the front & back,
and it does cross over the side supports, just not 100 %. Seems right, but I've
included some a photo for you to look at. They show how far the talk covers the
end supports. Think I’m OK?
<Likely so; though I too am not a fan of brads... and would use two-by rather
than one if I were constructing this stand... Not only does it have to support
about 400 pounds of weight, but it needs to resist sudden jarring, movement>
Also you can see from the same photo, that the tank sits on a 1/8” piece of
plywood which covers 100% of the top of the stand. In another photo, you can see
the wire brads with which the plywood was installed. At first, they were not
quite all the way in. I took a hammer, and a screwdriver, and tapped them the
rest of the way into the plywood. I was concerned that sticking above the
surface, they could damage the plastic bottom of the tank if it rested on them.
These brads seems like a place for water to enter the wood, especially since I
tapped them down. A valid concern?
<Yes; I would coat over them>
Also, this plywood seems really thin. Will the tank end up crushing this super
thin plywood, and resting on those metal brads, creating an uneven resting
surface, or cracks in the plastic bottom? Another photo of brads is included.
<Not likely>
I was thinking about getting a 1/2” or better piece of plywood cut to size,
painting it, and then gluing it on top of the thin piece for best weight
distribution, and support. No water in it, yet, so it’s a good time to do
something.
<Yes>
What do you think? Need more info, or photos? Necessary? Overthinking it? Good
idea? Bad idea? Won’t have any significant impact? Take an Ambien, and forget
about it?
<Heeee! I don't like the thinness of the materials used, nor the fasteners
shown... another piece of thicker plywood is a good idea... coated and screwed
into the existing about every six inches including any lateral supports>
Thanks,
Tim
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
|
|
Re: Questionable Stand Design
11/10/14
Thanks for the advice. I also noticed that the plastic rim around the top of the
tank was not installed level. On the left side and the back, I noticed a "wave"
when looking at it.
<This is just an ornamental piece (I hope, trust)... you could remove and put
back on straight>
Probably not huge, but if they did that sloppy, who knows what other corners
were cut. I agree about the stand. 2x4 frame would be better.
I'm returning tank and stand.
<I am relieved to read this. Cheers, BobF>
|
125 Gallon All-Glass and Stand Question 9/10/07 Hello,
<Ben> I recently came across your site and found that it
contained many interesting answers to aquarium questions. However while
I saw a few answers that brushed upon my subject I wanted to get a
clearer answer. <Okay> I recently purchased a 125 gallon All
Glass Aquarium with a black pine stand manufactured from the same
company. The stand at first glance appears to be sturdy but knowing
that a tremendous amount of weight will be applied to this stand,
<More than a thousand pounds... with the gravel et al. considered,
aquarium systems weigh in at about ten pounds per gallon> I had to
look closer. The stand is resting on a concrete floor and all sides are
level, however when I look inside the cabinets, I noticed some of the
pine boards have vertical hair line cracks. <Mmmm... the boards as
in the panels? But not the structural elements? The uprights?> Is
this something I should be worried about? <Possibly if it is the
functional elements involved> I have had 100 gallons in it for 48
hours and there has been no shift in level and the cracks have not
grown in size. I guess I am looking for some reassurance that this tank
will rest on the stand for a long time to come and not end up on the
floor. Have you ever heard of these stands failing? <Extremely rare
for commercial stands to fail> Regards, Benjamin Schmaus <A pic
or two please. Bob Fenner>
Questionable Tank Seam/Packing Material Left On The Stand --
06/06/07 Hi, <<Howdy Steve>> I really enjoy the
website. <<Thanks'¦me too!>> I've
recently purchased a new 115-gal aquarium and after letting it
sit for two weeks to make sure it was fully cured I test filled.
<<I see>> No leaks were evident, but I do have a
suspect seam. <<Uh-oh>> When empty all seams are
clear and look acceptable. When filled however, one seam has a
fairly large white area that extends approximately 8mm into the
12mm glass thickness for about 12" of the seam.
<<Mmm'¦>> I'll attach a few pics to
clarify. <<I see these... I'll ask Bob to interject if
he feels differently, but it certainly looks to me like you may
have an issue with the seal'¦especially considering this
only shows when the tank is full of water>> Of course my
main concern is that it could be a void in the silicone that may
eventually lead to a failure at the seam. <<Agreed>>
I contacted both the manufacturer and the store I purchased it
from and they both said if it isn't leaking now its fine.
<<Bunk'¦>> After expressing concern about
the issue they finally agreed that the seam could be redone in
the store, but acted like I was being unreasonable. <<Mmm,
a shame>> I'm not sure I'm comfortable with an
in-store quick fix that they don't believe is even necessary
in the first place. <<I'm with you on
this'¦perhaps you can send these pics to the
manufacturer for their edification and press this issue with
them>> I also had a question on the stand.
<<Okay>> It's designed to only support the ends
of the tank and is actually raised 1/8" on each end so that
the aquarium doesn't touch the stand at all in the middle.
<<This is not right'¦I suspect there is something
amiss with the stand>> The entire aquarium is supported by
2" on either end. <<Ah yes, I see this in the photos.
This looks to be a bit of 'hardboard'
material'¦perhaps leftovers from the shipping/packing
material. Do see if you can remove this>> I've heard
about large aquariums being supported mainly in the corners, but
never seen it taken to the extreme of having the free floating
center section. <<This glass tank needs to be supported
along its 'entire perimeter'>> I really appreciate
your help and advice. I'm just afraid if I flood the house
and ruin our floors my wife will be forever against having
another large aquarium. <<Mmm'¦that sounds
familiar'¦>> I do understand how she feels, but
the fish need room to roam. <<Much agreed'¦and you
do have some issues to reconcile re this tank and stand before
you can proceed any further>> Thanks, Steve <<Hope
I've been of help. EricR>>
Re: Questionable Tank Seam/Packing Material Left On The
Stand -- 06/07/07 Thanks for the prompt reply Eric.
<<You're welcome Steve>> Both the store and tank
manufacturer were adamant that the wood strips on the ends are in
fact part of the design. <<You spoke with the manufacturer
yourself?>> Their explanation was that it prevents pressure
points on the long side that can lead to failure on larger,
taller tanks. <<Mmm, not if the stand is flat and
planar...as it should be. I have never before seen nor heard of
supporting a glass tank 'only by the ends'... So this
manufacturer states this tank is meant to hold water; with no
support from the stand other than the two-inch wide strip across
each end, by the strength of the bottom glass panel and silicone
seal alone?!>> The store further said that the tank is
designed to be loaded on the corners. <<...! >>
They've been making tanks for over 30 years, but it certainly
seems odd. <<To me as well>> Do any other
manufacturers make stands that only support the ends of the tank?
<<None 'I' am aware of...Bob?>> I got a call
back from the LFS today, and they spoke to the owner of the
aquarium company. He reassured me that the white streak in the
seam would not be a problem. <<It is not my intent to cast
dispersions on your LFS, but were this my tank/stand, I would
want to talk to the manufacturer myself>> My Oscars are
rapidly out growing their current tank, and I need to find some
resolution to these issues. Now I'm more concerned about the
stand than the seam. <<I'm racking my brain but
can't recall a similar situation in 'my' more than 30
years in the hobby, but I will ask that Bob add his
comments/opinions here (do check the daily FAQs). His exposure in
the hobby/trade is much broader than mine, perhaps he can either
allay or confirm your (and my) fears re this setup. Regards,
EricR>>
|
|
|
Need Your Wisdom/Experience -- 06/07/07 Hi
Bob, I've made two replies to a query with the title
"Aquarium Seam" in the 'sent' folder that I would
appreciate if you could review and add your thoughts. The Chap who
wrote in has a tank that has what appears to be a void in a seam
that only "shows" when water is added to the tank.
<Yikes... this very often is evidence of a poorly made seam, and
a small air gap... that gets much larger with vacuum...> But the
real puzzler (for me) is the tank's stand. The stand
"only" supports the 115-gallon glass tank for about
two-inches at "each end." Supposedly, the manufacturer
and store owner through which the tank was purchased, are adamant
this is how the setup was designed to be used. Is this
feasible/practical in the long term? <Mmmm, is... IF the stand
is otherwise (very) strong, planar and level... HOWEVER if it is
not so in any of these three ways AND/OR some challenge (a big
bump, earthquake, floor settling...) occur, can be HUGE trouble. In
actuality on the rim/edge of most tanks "touch" the
stand... and this touching area is all that needs to be Strong,
Planar, Level... BUT there being "more" to the stand
provides the stability and strength to this setting-edge
area...> I'm much interested in your take on this. Many
thanks, Eric <Will do. BobF> |
Re: Need Your Wisdom/Experience --
06/07/07 Hi Bob, I've made two replies to a query with the
title "Aquarium Seam" in the 'sent' folder that I
would appreciate if you could review and add your thoughts. The
Chap who wrote in has a tank that has what appears to be a void in
a seam that only "shows" when water is added to the tank.
<Yikes... this very often is evidence of a poorly made seam, and
a small air gap... that gets much larger with vacuum...> But the
real puzzler (for me) is the tank's stand. The stand
"only" supports the 115-gallon glass tank for about
two-inches at "each end." Supposedly, the manufacturer
and store owner through which the tank was purchased, are adamant
this is how the setup was designed to be used. Is this
feasible/practical in the long term? <Mmmm, is... IF the stand
is otherwise (very) strong, planar and level... HOWEVER if it is
not so in any of these three ways AND/OR some challenge (a big
bump, earthquake, floor settling...) occur, can be HUGE trouble. In
actuality on the rim/edge of most tanks "touch" the
stand... <<This I understand...but I have always thought the
tank "needed" to be supported around/along the
"entire perimeter." Eric>> >Yikes! I see this
statement now... A BIG NO to this proposal... Had mis-read that the
entire edge was to be supported. I would NOT fill a container thus
supported (only on both ends). BobF< and this touching area is
all that needs to be Strong, Planar, Level... BUT there being
"more" to the stand provides the stability and strength
to this setting-edge area...> I'm much interested in your
take on this. Many thanks, Eric
<Will do. BobF> |
And now having placed the images... This IS a stand
that supports all edges... and for the stand-only sakes will likely
be fine. HOWEVER, I would NOT fill or keep this tank with the
apparent seam problem... Too likely to "pop". BobF |
Re: Aquarium Seam, Stand - 6/7/07 Thanks so
much for your input Bob. The stand certainly appears to be a
conventional "full perimeter" style, but there are two
thin strips of wood(1/8" x 3" x 19") at each end
that actually elevate the tank 1/8" above the stand itself and
provide the sole support for the tank. I made yet another call to
the manufacturer today, and once again they confirmed that it was
in fact the way they intended the tank and stand to be configured.
Another interesting note is that the back of the tank has no center
support along the entire 50" length, further suggesting that
it was in fact designed to support the tank in this manor. The
store specifically told me not to add a center support! I'll
attach a pic of the end strips to clarify. <I see this... and do
NOT like what I see... There is certainly (daily...) items I am
unfamiliar with... but this has me stymied... I REALLY am concerned
re this design... And am requesting that you get contact info. re
the actual manufacturer of this stand, contact them and/or pass on
to me for my contacting them... and GET express warrantee re this
stand... On an entirely separate issue: I personally would NOT fill
this tank period... until I had the FULL assurance of someone with
structural engineering's okay... and would NOT keep this
particular tank nor fill it for fear of catastrophic seam failure.
The images previously sent show a VERY DANGEROUS gapping in the
Silastic. Bob Fenner> |
|
All Glass Tank, Perfecto Stand? 3/20/07 Hey All.
<Hi, Eric. GrahamT with you this morning.> Just a quick
question. <Ok.> I have a 75 gallon Perfecto tank and
pine stand. I would like to get a drilled tank, but use the
same stand. Would it be possible to get a drilled All Glass
90 gallon with the same footprint to fit on the Perfecto
stand? <Don't see why not.> My LFS says maybe,
maybe not, only adding to my confusion. They claim that
there may be small enough differences in design, even though both tanks
are 48 x 18, that may cause different branded stands not to fit.
<You are not likely to have problems, unless your current tank and
stand combination has the tank sitting inside a lip. You *might* find
that the AG tank has thicker glass, and won't fit as a result.
Otherwise, I would think you'd be fine. This is really all that I
can think of, and assuming your stand requires the tank to sit on top,
then you would be fine anyway.> Like always, You Rock. <Aww,
shucks.> Thanks, Eric <Welcome. -GrahamT>
Aquarium Support 11/8/04 I am currently working through my
2nd Year on Advanced Certificate in Management of Zoo Animals and am
currently having difficulty finding information regarding one of the
Tasks that I need to complete. After visiting your website,
I was wondering if you had any information that would be relevant to my
Task. The Task requires me to describe support structures that would be
adequate to support the following sizes of aquarium :- a) 2m x 0.45 x
0.45m b) 1.5m x 0.3m x 0.3m c) 2.6m x 0.85m x 1m. They require me to
provide 400 words and I am having difficulty finding any information
regarding this. Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail, and
if you could possibly give me any information towards this task, I
would be extremely grateful. Karen Carter <there is/was a book
called the "Living Aquarium" published at one point in time
by Crescent books/pub. Its available on Amazon.com and other
booksellers. In this book are excellent specs on building and
supporting many different types of aquaria. I would seek this
inexpensive and delightful reference. Anthony>
|
|