I'm getting a 55 gallon tonight which is 4 ft long. My dresser is about 6ft long, the top is not solid wood but it is strong and covered in a thick green marble colored laminate and has a center support that is solid wood. I had my friend who is 6'8" and just shy of 400lb sit in the middle and the area between supports and it was fine, and of corse although big, his butt has less surface area than a 4ft long tank. My question is do you think i can center the tank on the dresser with the center support centered under the tank, or do you think over time this could arch the tank bottom and cause a break? if so I will align it to the side of the dresser utilizing the side and the center support. I would of course like to center it for visual appeal.
Tank placement on dresser
- Thread starter eatingleg4peanut
- Start date
I would get a proper aquarium stand.
most tanks up to 10g or so are fine on strong dressers and such, but not much over that.
55g is too much long term weight.
check out your LFS or the DIY section to build a proper stand.
most tanks up to 10g or so are fine on strong dressers and such, but not much over that.
55g is too much long term weight.
check out your LFS or the DIY section to build a proper stand.
I wouldn't do it. Not without doing ALOT of extra bracingthat the dresser doesn't have. I agree it would be better to either buy one or build a DIY stand. Good luck!
You've just got to take a very thoughtful and thorough look at the structure. I've come across many solid-top dressers and coffee tables that made great stands, but the supports were always directly under my tank's corners or it was designed sturdy all-around and the tank sat near the edge of the top. If the walls/strong supports are more than an inch away (horizontally) from the area the bottom (esp. corners) of tank would cover, I wouldn't do it.
It sounds less scary than the so-called particle board tank stands I've seen at pet stores. Personally, I think it would be fine, but nobody can tell you with 100% certainty. You'll just have to keep in mind the weight of the tank, examine the structure of the dresser, and use your own discretion.
knifegill;4292221; said:
, if the surface area of the tank is properly supported but the dresser having very sturdy legs directly under the corners of the tank, it might work...I would not risk it and just get a properly rated stand though.See, in my area the only local fish store is a petsmart, and I'm not a fan. The stand would cost more than the tank and reading its specs online its rated for 800lbs, which is pretty much just enough to cover the weight of tank. And its looks like crap and doesnt have a solid running bottom. I'm 100% sure that my dresser is better quality than that stand at least.
Usually this is true. I trust the stability of many dressers more than some aquarium stands. And the prices are ridiculous for aquarium stands.
step 1 measure dresser
step 2 go to home improvement store, buy 2x4's
step 3 take off dresser backing
step 4 re-measure dresser
step 5 cut 2x4's to lengh
step 6 check that 2x4's were cut to correct length by placing in stand, re-cut if necessary or cut new ones if you cut them too short.
step 7 screw 2x4's to existing stand wood.
step 8 double check bracing to make sure your new 2x4's support the tank properly
step 9 put dresser backing back on
step 10 -clean up
step 2 go to home improvement store, buy 2x4's
step 3 take off dresser backing
step 4 re-measure dresser
step 5 cut 2x4's to lengh
step 6 check that 2x4's were cut to correct length by placing in stand, re-cut if necessary or cut new ones if you cut them too short.
step 7 screw 2x4's to existing stand wood.
step 8 double check bracing to make sure your new 2x4's support the tank properly
step 9 put dresser backing back on
step 10 -clean up