How to determine if a stand can support more weight than stated?

[FINWIN]

I have two wood frame solid top stands designed for 38 gallon tanks (36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 19 3/4 ).

Would a 45 gallon with the same footprint be in the safe range? (36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 23 3/4 ). I am giving serious consideration to doing this, to accomodate my large parrots. Maybe even going acrylic to cut back the weight some. Would like to still use these stands, they weren't cheap.

This is the stand. The ones I have are the larger size and in use currently. It doesn't specifically say anywhere the gallon limit of the tank.

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[esoxlucius]

If I had that stand I wouldn't worry about putting a slightly heavier tank on it. Manufacturers of these types of stands put a safety factor in the design anyway. It'll take way more than you'd think.

If you're still not sure, and you want to have real peace of mind, then you can always get four more lengths of wood, identical to the four legs you've got there, sand them down, varnish/stain them, whatever, so they are identical, and attach them with screws to the existing four legs. Sink the screw heads, smooth off with filler, sand and stain.

 

[Termitehunter]

It looks like it would handle the weight from a vertical stand point.
I however would add a little more cross bracing in case of any side to side movement. Maybe a flush cut angled 1 x 4 from 1 top corner to the bottom shelf. Or even a solid piece of plywood screwed to the back legs to enclose it and make it look look a bookshelf. You can add a slit or holes at the top for hoses or cords if needed as well.
From the look of the pic it seems assembled with staples? Or is that just the trim? Staples can twist and work themselves loose over time.

 

[tlindsey]

I personally wouldn't add put anything bigger than the 38 gallon as is but agree with adding more support for more weight.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'd just like to add as well that that is a crazy price for what is a very basic design of a stand. It's a shame you already have it because you could make one that's 10 times the strength for literally a few dollars. I know it's made of alder with a fancy finish but even so it's only to put a fish tank on when all said and done.

What gets me is that it's in the sale too!!!

 

[FINWIN]

Thanks, everyone...I was trying to see if I could contact the manufacturer and find out. I was able to get them on a reduced price at the time. I did some checking and there seems to be about a 100 lb difference between a 'loaded' 38 and 45.

It looks like it would handle the weight from a vertical stand point.
I however would add a little more cross bracing in case of any side to side movement. Maybe a flush cut angled 1 x 4 from 1 top corner to the bottom shelf. Or even a solid piece of plywood screwed to the back legs to enclose it and make it look look a bookshelf. You can add a slit or holes at the top for hoses or cords if needed as well.
From the look of the pic it seems assembled with staples? Or is that just the trim? Staples can twist and work themselves loose over time.

I'll have to double check and see about the staples, not sure. At the time I was kind of in an emergency situation with the tanks (got them to separate the fighting parrots) and nobody seemed to have 38 gallon stands that weren't that press board stuff.

 

[jjohnwm]

Nice looking stand; really poor design. The material would be more than adequate to support the weight, but it would depend also upon how it's assembled. One of the negative reviews indicates the use of staples, and comments on flimsiness. Staples? Hard pass...

I would strongly agree with the above comments on cross-bracing, or using a piece of plywood on the back to stabilize the unit. As it stands now, a good knock from either side could turn the entire thing into a folded catastrophe. Also, since you are not only adding weight but also moving the centre of gravity higher...which is never a good thing...I would look into some way of attaching it to the wall behind it to further stabilize it.

 

[FINWIN]

Nice looking stand; really poor design. The material would be more than adequate to support the weight, but it would depend also upon how it's assembled. One of the negative reviews indicates the use of staples, and comments on flimsiness. Staples? Hard pass...

I would strongly agree with the above comments on cross-bracing, or using a piece of plywood on the back to stabilize the unit. As it stands now, a good knock from either side could turn the entire thing into a folded catastrophe. Also, since you are not only adding weight but also moving the centre of gravity higher...which is never a good thing...I would look into some way of attaching it to the wall behind it to further stabilize it.

Would placing plywood on the sides be as effective as putting it across the back? What would be the best type of screws to use?

The reviews about flimsiness are odd, the ones I have are more solid (there are two styles) I'll try to grab a live pic of the ones I have.

 

[jjohnwm]

Plywood on the back will resist forces trying to "fold" the stand from side to side. Plywood on the sides will resist forces trying to fold the stand forward or backward. Both would be best, but of course also more work and harder to make it look good. Plywood edges are ugly and you will probably want to cover them with some kind of veneer or finishing treatment. Diagonal wood pieces will work the same, will keep the open and airy look of the stand intact...but getting the finish to match can be tricky, and the cutting of angles to make the braces cosmetically acceptable needs to be fairly precise. Mitre saw?

Whatever you do...and especially if you have kids and/or dogs in the house...I would attach to the wall as a safety measure.

No special screws, just #8's of the appropriate length, countersink the heads so they're flush or below flush. You must drill a pilot hole for each screw to prevent splitting the wood. Adding glue to the joint makes it much, much stronger.

 

[RD.]

I concur with the comments above, I wouldn't even trust a 38 gallon on that stand with out beefing it up. Honestly you might be better just looking for a used DIY stand built out of 2x4's locally.