Tank on Oversized Metal Shelf

[paragoned]

Hi guys.
I'm planning on putting a 42 gallon tank on a metal rack similar to the Gorilla ones (this one is advertised to hold about 800lbs per shelf.)
Tank dimensions are 36 x 18, while shelf is 48 x 22. The shelf is basically about 1-2" of metal frame, with a 1/2" plywood on top.

What should I do to properly support the tank? Any tips?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Knowdafish]

You're distributing 1/2 the rated capacity over a large area. It should work OK. Just make sure the shelf doesn't flex at all and stays flat.

 

[paragoned]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. (Or maybe I was, and I'm just worrying too much?)

The shelf is basically just the plywood with the metal support ONLY around the perimeter.
I'm thinking if I put the tank flush in the middle, the weight would be on the part of the plywood that's not supported by metal.

Will that be fine?
The wood won't warp/break with that kind of setup?
Should I support the center somehow?

 

[Bb66cuda]

I would not use it, I just built a stand from 2x4's to hold two 40 gallon tanks the cost was about $15.

 

[zennzzo]

double up on the 1/2" plywood, if you are not at ease with it...
Usually when a consumer product is rated for 800 lbs, it's fail rating is double that, so 1,600 lbs. It's a built in liability thing...

 

[paragoned]

Any one else wanna give their two cents?

The stand's already set-up (with double the plywood,) and it seems pretty sturdy. But I'm still pretty hesitant to drain my tank, move my cichlids and move my tank until I know for sure it'll hold.

I'm thinking I'll take 2 or 3 of those 20g rubbermaid containers, fill them, seal it tight (just in case) and set it on the stand as a test run.

 

[basslover34]

With the double wood... your good... your only talking about 400 lbs...on something that should be able to hold well over 3 Times that without even thinking about breaking

 

[andres]

Its only a 40G, I agree you should be fine. Double the ply is more than enough to be safe. If it were a larger tank, I would try something else, but its less than 400 pounds.

 

[zennzzo]

How about get a couple of "full figured" dancing girls, oiled up really well, and have them do a dance on it for ya...if it holds good deal!
If it fails, ...well you'll have a couple of greased up dacing girls, writhing around with broken furniture...

 

[paragoned]

Cool. Thanks, guys. I'll test it out first just to be safe.

So would an 80 gallon would be pushing it, though?
It would sit flush right above the metal bars at 48 inches.