Bad Metal Stand, should I return? Nice Pictures!

[MichaelAngelo]

Hey Guys,

I compared my metal stand for a 135G to somebody's metal stands for their 220G and 180G. Sitting with an empty tank, my stand bows alone the entire length. His 220 stand bows less than mine, and the tank is full of water. The 180G stand only bows in the middle.

The bow will only increase if I fill the tank with water.

Here are the pictures...

My tank is empty:

My tank is level:

Along the front:

Sides:

Back:

Reactions???

 

[koop171]

I have not delt with metal stands but I personally would at least make a call saying that it bows and see what they say. And if they say it's ok make sure they will cover the damage done to your home if the stand fails once it's full.

 

[MichaelAngelo]

make sure they will cover the damage done to your home if the stand fails once it's full.

Doubt it, the tank isn't from them.

 

[mfgl]

double post.

 

[mfgl]

I think metal stands mostly sag. The one from petsmart I have for just a 55, thats on ly 4 feet and there is a 1/2 inch gap in the center in the front. I dont use it anymore, but it held the tank for 8 years np.

 

[12 Volt Man]

your tank will be fine.

however, you may not sleep at night after it is full of water for a while

so, if you want, exchange for another stand.

the issue here is perception.

my 65g tank that has been setup for years is exactly as well supported as that tank.

but here is the difference: the gap is not really noticable unless you shine a light through and then you can really see it.

here is a pic. you will see that the tank is the same as yours - supported near the end only.

the difference of course, is that the gap betwen the tank and the stand is much smaller in my situation than yours.

but here is what is difficult to get our heads around: it doesn't matter.

a gap is a gap whether its 5 miles or 0.0000005 inches. unsupported is unsupported.

with glass tanks, you are fine.

nice tank by the way.

so, its up to you.

I am only going by my own experience with these steel stands over the years. but you have to make the final decision.

if you don't feel comfortable with the tank, other people's experiences are not going to ease that. I can relate

 

[coolermaster]

like 12 volt man's reply.

I had a stand built for my 220g with 1/2 inch thick glass. It cam with only 2 pairs of feet. When the tank was put on the stand the center of the stand bowed to an awaringly scary level for me.

here's the stand before

here it is now.

I can sleep better now.

 

[12 Volt Man]

yeah, the bowing in the center is alarming only because its not what we are used to seeing.

but it doesn't mean that the tank is not properly supported.

as long as it is a glass tank that is flat and level, corner (end) support is all that is needed.

as difficult as that is to accept.

 

[ScoobyRacing03]

I wouldn't be comfortable with it doing that, every metal stand I had was nice and flush with the bottom of the tank I would exchange it and get one that has some kind of support at least in the back if not in the front too.

 

[MichaelAngelo]

Sorry for linking 2 threads, but...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3469433&posted=1#post3469433

Or maybe I'm just crazy?