AGA 55g pine stand concerns (pics)

[krzr3000]

Just picked up a black pine stand for a 55g. I went looking store to store at the same stand and many of them had quite a few cracks in them. This one was in the best condition, but honestly this stand is a cheap p.o.s. There is one flaw (see pics) in one of the supports but i'm not too concerned over it. But i wanted some other opinions, or maybe just someone to tell me that this thing will support more than 10 lbs, sigh. thanks.

Also on same piece, farther up, on other side of the board.

 

[terd ferguson]

Why would even buy that? It looks like a cheap POS (no offense). You could build a much stronger stand for less than $20 in 2x4's and a little wood stain that would hold 10 times as much weight and look 1,000 times better.

Again, no offense meant, but I don't understand how a retail store could even sell something like that and call it a fish tank stand. A 55 gallon tank with water and rocks is getting close to 600 pounds (or even more depending on your rock work). I wouldn't trust that much weight based on the cracks and knots in those pictures.

It seriously looks like it would fall apart if you walked close by it.

 

[terd ferguson]

This is what I built for a buddy on a budget that needed a stand for a 55...

Grand total-$0. I got the 2x4's for free from a neighborhood under construction. They were scraps and I got permission. The wood screws and wood glue I had laying around in the garage. Same with the stain.

That's what you could do if you're resourceful. It will easily support WAY more than a 55's weight. It's over constructed. And did I mention free?


***EDITED TO ADD***

You should go and return that hideous monstrosity for a refund as fast as possible. If you need drawings or plans and a materials list for a DIY 55 stand, just shoot me a PM. I'd be glad to help. I'd hate to see you posting in a month about a broken tank and 55 gallons of water in your house because of that stand.

 

[Nic]

I spent 50 bucks building my 90 gallon stand with my buddy this weekend took 2 hours 3 painted and dry and you can park a mack truck on it.... takes a chop saw nails,screws and lil common sence 1 pack of smokes and 2 cans of spraypaint.....

 

[krzr3000]

Went back to the store. got something different, thanks!

 

[hansoi_888]

mine cost a less than 20$ (converted from our phil. peso) i had mine wielded, brot it to a weilding shop, i used angle bars.. its much cheaper and steel are known for their strength, and it will just take u 1 1/2 hours to do the paint job..

 

[nachocheese70]

That looks like a natural flaw in the wood. Pine is very prone to it. Should not be a structural issue. From what I can tell, it's on the inside, so obviously not going to be a visual issue.

terd ferguson, that's a solid stand. That can handle a heck of a lot more than 55 gallons of water; w/ tank and water, it's only around 550 lbs, or about 2 adult males). Just make sure you use a liberal amount of water sealant!

 

[Wolf3101]

Thats always something to look closely at any time you buy a painted stand...personally I either build them myself or buy unfinnished. Knowing that a piece is going to be painted tempts manufacturers into using poorer quality wood than they otherwise would have in a stained piece.

 

[terd ferguson]

That looks like a natural flaw in the wood. Pine is very prone to it. Should not be a structural issue. From what I can tell, it's on the inside, so obviously not going to be a visual issue.

terd ferguson, that's a solid stand. That can handle a heck of a lot more than 55 gallons of water; w/ tank and water, it's only around 550 lbs, or about 2 adult males). Just make sure you use a liberal amount of water sealant!

No offense, but I don't use wood with "natural flaws" to build my stands. I used to work in the lumber business. I wouldn't trust what appears to be a 1x10 (probably spruce) that is cracked halfway accross and halfway through with a giant knot. Knot are huge weak spots in a board so thin. I just wouldn't trust it. But that's just me.

 

[nachocheese70]

No offense, but I don't use wood with "natural flaws" to build my stands. I used to work in the lumber business. I wouldn't trust what appears to be a 1x10 (probably spruce) that is cracked halfway accross and halfway through with a giant knot. Knot are huge weak spots in a board so thin. I just wouldn't trust it. But that's just me.

All-Glass and Pefecto stands for smaller tanks (such as the 55 GA) use a 3/4" pine board. The one with the scar is the back portion, about 4" wide. The other picture with the huge knot is probably the side (you can see part of the door assembly). The sides are full pieces, so overall, there is plenty of wood to support the weight with extra safety factor - which you have to have when dealing w/ pine since they are usually loaded with knots. It's a mass produced "cheap" commercial wood furniture, so unfortunately, it's what you get. Building your own, you typically get to choose the lumber piece you buy (at least I do when it's for me, but when I worked in construction, I worked with whatever the lumberyard delivered), but mass produced buy in bulk, at a much lower price, so of course quality varies.

My biggest concern would be water damage/rot. Definitely make sure you've got the wood sealed w/ an oil based coating (polyurethane is good) - though IMHO nothing beats pressure treated wood for continual water expose .

Anyways, that's a nice and solid stand. IMHO, it's better to overkill, especially when it's free wood! Do you plan to box the stand in with wood board, or just leave it open like that?