need help, quick stand question

[The Wolf Pack]

I scored a 180 gallon acrylic tank off Craigslist with little to no scratches. Came with tank only no stand or equipment. I don't have a stand and I want to set this up asap, I thought about cinder blocks but they are hideous to look at. If I got two 90 gallon metal stands put them end to end with a 1" thick piece of plywood on top and then the foam on top of the plywood, would this be suffice for awhile?

 

[ShadowP]

I scored a 180 gallon acrylic tank off Craigslist with little to no scratches. Came with tank only no stand or equipment. I don't have a stand and I want to set this up asap, I thought about cinder blocks but they are hideous to look at. If I got two 90 gallon metal stands put them end to end with a 1" thick piece of plywood on top and then the foam on top of the plywood, would this be suffice for awhile?

Well, if you've got the wood on hand or can get it, this is a quick and strong build which may work better.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/posts/7308996/
Just don't build it with as big a lower shelf.

 

[xraycer]

I scored a 180 gallon acrylic tank off Craigslist with little to no scratches. Came with tank only no stand or equipment. I don't have a stand and I want to set this up asap, I thought about cinder blocks but they are hideous to look at. If I got two 90 gallon metal stands put them end to end with a 1" thick piece of plywood on top and then the foam on top of the plywood, would this be suffice for awhile?

That should be fine. You can even go with 1/2" plywood, and the foam really isn't neccessary. What's really important is whether the 2 stand is leveled with one another.

 

[The Wolf Pack]

That should be fine. You can even go with 1/2" plywood, and the foam really isn't neccessary. What's really important is whether the 2 stand is leveled with one another.

Thanks for the replies but I have ZERO experience in building stands and wouldn't want to experiment with a larger tank. I want to know if 2 90 gallon metal stands will work end to end

 

[xraycer]

Thanks for the replies but I have ZERO experience in building stands and wouldn't want to experiment with a larger tank. I want to know if 2 90 gallon metal stands will work end to end

I understand your question and I answered it with my first post

 

[ShadowP]

That should be fine. You can even go with 1/2" plywood, and the foam really isn't neccessary. What's really important is whether the 2 stand is leveled with one another.

The foam is used to totally seal the gap between the tank frame and the ply so water can't get under it via capillary action and begin to damage the wood. Nothing major in theshort term.

 

[xraycer]

The foam is used to totally seal the gap between the tank frame and the ply so water can't get under it via capillary action and begin to damage the wood. Nothing major in theshort term.

I have a tank on unfinished plywood for several years now and there's absolutely no signs of even water stain. As long as you're careful during maintenences you'll be fine. You can use foam if you want, but most people use foam because they feel it'll yield a more level tank.....not to water seal

 

[RD.]

Not all tanks are created equally, some require different support than others, as in a flat bottom tank vs one with plastic trim. Some aquarium manufacturers actually void their warranty if you don't use foam under their tank (glass cages) others void it if you do. The acrylic tank manufacturer in the link below voids their warranty if one doesn't use foam under the tank, and also voids it if the stand doesn't meet their specs, which your idea would not. They explain why your set up wouldn't work in the following link.

http://www.midwestcustomaquariums.com/lifetime-warranty/

Conditions of Warranty:

The entire bottom of the aquarium must be fully and evenly supported on a flat, level surface at all times. The use of a perimeter support stand, as often used for glass tanks, will void the warranty. An appropriate stand for acrylic tanks will be strong enough to hold the weight, will have a top that is flat enough so that if the tank were set directly on it, there would be no dips or humps that would cause the tank bottom to not make contact with the top of the stand at any point before it is filled. For all practical purposes, the top of the stand must be as strong at any given point in the middle as it is on the perimeter. This means that a sheet of plywood cannot simply be set on top of a perimeter stand, as when filled with water the tank bottom could bulge down in the middle and put extra stress on the bonds.

There must be cross braces on the top of any stand before the flat stock is added, regardless if it is wood or steel. The top of the stand must have at a minimum one layer of ¾” flat stock, usually plywood. 2 layers are recommended with the top layer unattached so that shims can be driven between the 2 sheets to tighten up any voids if necessary. A layer of extruded polystyrene foam is also recommended between the stand top and the aquarium, to compensate for small imperfections in the top of the stand. Please call if you have any questions associated with stands for acrylic tanks

 

[The Wolf Pack]

Not all tanks are created equally, some require different support than others, as in a flat bottom tank vs one with plastic trim. Some aquarium manufacturers actually void their warranty if you don't use foam under their tank (glass cages) others void it if you do. The acrylic tank manufacturer in the link below voids their warranty if one doesn't use foam under the tank, and also voids it if the stand doesn't meet their specs, which your idea would not. They explain why your set up wouldn't work in the following link.

http://www.midwestcustomaquariums.com/lifetime-warranty/

Great info but maybe I'm not explaining myself properly. I'm not trying to debate the use of foam or not. All I want to know if two 90 gallon metal stands with a thick piece of plywood on top support a 180 gallon acrylic tank

 

[RD.]

No, that was clear enough - but perhaps you should reread what I just posted from the manufacturer of acrylic tanks, that seemed pretty clear to me as well. If you asked that acrylic tank manufacturer, their answer to your question would be no, and they gave a detailed answer as to why. Did you not read that?