Tank overlap on a stand

[WestTex]

Quick question,

I scored a lightly used 20 gallon fish tank. I have a home made stand that is definitely strong enough. The front and back of the tank hang over the edge of the shelf by 1/3 of an inch. Is that going to be a problem?

Plan for the tank is a place to replant the overflow of plants i have in my 55 gallon. I was going to add 5 pea puffers to possibly eat a few of the snails that I have growing in my tank.

Before I go getting it off the ground I thought I should ask you folks about that overlap. Do you think it will be ok or should I break down and by a stand?

If i had tools or a place to build a stand I would, but I am in an apartment and don't have access to those materials.

Thanks,
WestTex

 

[nfored]

If its glass it should be okay as long as its not resting on the glass but on the frame. I have seen a 55 gallon that was only supported on the ends by cinder blocks.

However if it was me I would put a board over the stand so the tank had support like it was meant too.

 

[slednex11]

ya even seen a 240gal only supported on the ends!!

 

[skjl47]

Hello; A couple of thoughts.
One; I have for many years cut a piece of plywood that is the width of a tank from front to back and a couple of inches longer than the tank at each end. The plywood does a few things. The main thing for me is that it gives me something to grab when picking up and moving a tank. (tanks up to 30 gallons anyway.) It also seems safer when positioning and cleaning a glass bottom tank. I dont have to be concerned about sitting the tank down on an uneven surface like the tailgate of my truck for transport and cleaning. On a stand the plywood should compensate a little for an uneven stand and spread the stress more evenly. Lastly the extensions at each end give me a handy little shelf. I have painted some of the boards to improve their looks.

Stability is a concern when a tank is larger than the stand. It may be a good idea to somehow fasten the stand to a wall. A 20 gallon tank is heavy enough to seriously injure a child that may try to climb or pull on it. I maintained a 55 gallon in a Dr's waiting room years ago. I attached the tank stand to a wall stud with a turnbuckle as a just in case.

 

[nfored]

ya even seen a 240gal only supported on the ends!!

I would umm soil myself if I saw someone with that much water supported only on the ends. I would not stand any where close to that tank, the 55 gallon made me feel strange.

 

[knobhill]

I have a 100g on plywood. The tank on plywood is 18" deep, the stand it is on is only 16" deep....never had a problem with the 2" overlap...