New to me 125! Stand advice wanted

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mnloki

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2020
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This last weekend I got a new to me 125 gallon. It was up and running, we drained it. I have no issues trusting the seals (this guy had an incredible fish room, this is one of his office tanks). I am going to fill in the stand seams in the doors to modernize and also change it to gray paint. What I am wondering, should I stiffen the stand at all? Pics attached. The tank sits on the top all the way around. It's not as scary to me as some modern ones where particle board supports it...but if I can make it better, now is the time.

Also, the inside bottom could use some care. Seems not structural at all, I am thinking of replacing the bottom (I have OSB from a remodel project I can put in there).

Last thing. This is replacing my 55 in my office. Basement is unfinished. It is against a load bearing wall. I am considering more support, just to be safe. Ideas? I was considering putting two of these as added suppor tin the basement:

www.homedepot.com

Tiger Brand Super S Series 8 ft. 4 in. Jack Post-J-S-100 - The Home Depot

The Tiger Brand Jack Post Super
www.homedepot.com

I also got a bunch of beautiful mbunas...will share pics once I set everything up.

20210412_094246.jpg

20210412_094254.jpg
 
Kelly_Aquatics said:
I would not trust that stand. honestly I would just build a whole new one. You can try putting two by fours under the main frame of the stand though
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You wouldn't? It was literally full when I got it. I do like the idea of making it more stout, but it was holding the tank when I walked in.

The bottom looks crappy in a way...but it is no structural.
 
personally no I would not. all my stands were built with two by fours I would not trust anything thinner than a two by four on a tank like a 125g I over engineered my 75g stand and can post pictures if you wish. I did not build my 125gs stand but I bought a custom one that I made sure was over engineered before I bought it.
 
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M mnloki sorry my first comment sounded a bit harsh. My chromebook was about to die so I typed that quickly. to me that stand does not look very sturdy but the pictures might just be deceiving. How long did they have it running on the stand?. A 125g filled up weighs 1400-1600 pounds thats a big load and a lot of consequence if the stand does fail
 
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It may well have done a good job in its time but one things for sure, it looks old and has seen way better days. You're starting afresh with a nice new (to you) tank, why don't you just retire that old one and start afresh with a new stand too? I know I would.
 
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I didn't take it as harsh. All good. This tank was full when I walked in. Probably close to a decade on this stand. Thing is, it's actual wood. I have seen particle board hold big tanks. The top cross bars scare me...thinking of notching 2x4 to replace. All the side supports are solid wood, notched to hold the top.

Main reason I ask is for advice. As you said, it's not light. I plan to put it in place...and not move it. Therefore, I want it nice and right. I honestly don't think it needs a rebuild, but maybe some reinforcing to be extra safe. I took the pics to show the worst.
 
esoxlucius said:
It may well have done a good job in its time but one things for sure, it looks old and has seen way better days. You're starting afresh with a nice new (to you) tank, why don't you just retire that old one and start afresh with a new stand too? I know I would.
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Open to suggestions. I could even rebuild the center, and reuse (with modernizing) the dressing. I can cut wood no issue..but I also don't have plans. I have a VERY overstocked (and overfiltered) 55 at the moment, so I don't want to go too long without setting this up.
 
I have a 110 in my den - starfire glass so it's heavy. Had a stand built for it - steel frame wrapped in wood. Probably overkill but would rather not have a tank collapse inside. In the crawl space directly under it I added a large beam perpendicular to the floor joists supported by two 4x4 posts on concrete piers.
Currently building a stand from 2x4's for a 75 that's going in my basement.
Now all I have to do is figure out a way not to occasionally spill water on my carpet!
 
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