countertop for a stand

[courtneem]

I want to get rid of my 55gl from my formal dining room. I am trying to make it more "formal" I have a counter to the right of it that I would like to put my 120gl on and move my fish over to it. I would set it up as a divider tank.

My question is.. would it hold it? If not what can I do to beef it up?

The 120gl is a glass tank. It is 2 inches wider then the counter. Here are pics of the counter. Tell me what ya think.

Also this is a 100yr old house and where that counter is, is a wall under it in the basement. I am not to worried about the weight on the floor. It would be a good place to take the weight.

I know my fish tank water level needs attention LOL been a busy two weeks and they missed a water change. They are not happy with me. On my way to do that now.

 

[Knowdafish]

I don't think that cabinet looks beefy enough for 1000 lbs plus!

 

[johnson5585]

If you own your place why not take out the cabinet and rebuild something to properly hold your tank in its place. I would not take the chance. The last thing you want is to come home to a broken counter/tank with fish on the floor. Plus you said the house is 100 years old....how old is the counter????? Counters generally are not made to hold this kind of weight.

 

[courtneem]

The counter is from the 90s I would assume. The kitchen was gutted and redone in this house. That counter use to be a wall. I wouldnt mind ripping it out, but if I could use some of it, I would rather do that.

I would and could remove it and start new.

If there is a way to use what is there, support it more etc I rather do that. The storage underneath the tank would be useful as well as housing the filter etc.

The counter being 2 inches short width wise. I figure that gives me some room to build more support on each side. The center is an issue

If there is someone with suggestions to support more what is there, that would be great. If it cant be done I will do new.

if I do new how should it be built to hold the weight?

 

[bigspizz]

Long time no see.... You could gut the cabinet and add all the support you want...Wood, glue and screws...Over building is simple... Good luck....

 

[hmt321]

I am a general contractor and i design kitchen and bathroom cabinets for a living.
Cabinet strength varies wildly depending on where they were built, but no kitchen cabinet is designed to support that much weight. It would not be a good idea.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Long time no see.... You could gut the cabinet and add all the support you want...Wood, glue and screws...Over building is simple... Good luck....

What I was thinking is to take the counter off, and then add 2x4 supports on the inside. Then replace the counter top (new or modified).

I am willing to bet that there is still half of a wall there. If so, there may be enough in there to support the weight. If the cabinet interiors are solid wood, then you won't have a problem with the weight. You will need to modify or replace the counter top, so when you remove it, you will have access to the cabinets for inspection. What you want to look for is the thickness of the cabinet walls on both ends and in the center. There will be two layers of wood in the center. If these are both solid wood, then the cabinet will be strong enough. They can be beefed up by adding a sheet of plywood between them if the gap is large enough and then screwing the three pieces together.

If it were me, I'd replace the counter top with a corian top because they look really nice under a tank. If you want to re-use the old one, cut it lengthwise toward the center at the end of the post. Then replace the two halves separated enough to look normal under the tank.

 

[mike dunagan]

I see the half wall is till there. I would remove the cabinet frame and make a new frame to fit the tank and design it hold all the filters and then skin it. make it look like a cabinet still. The top needs to be level and smooth. Most countertops raise up at the ends. This would add stress to the tanks' seals.

 

[courtneem]

I am not handy at all. lol My DIY is limited. I dont even own tools. I could get my ex to come help me out. Where could I get some plans to build what I need and make sure it is strong enough?

 

[chesterthehero]

dont ask yer ex... hes yer ex for a reason... dont mess him like that... it would be funny.. but mean..
you could pick up a drill at homedepot for under $50.. and a hand saw for like $10.. then another $50-100 for wood, screws, glue, tape measure and a level.. dont let them oversell you on the tools... dont get toys.. but at the same time yer not going to quit yer dayjob and build stuff full time..
i would frame around the counter.. build around it insted of rebuilding it... hmm... its simple but might be more than yer up for or capable of doing correctly... thats 1000lbs of water that you dont want on the floor...