those metal stands

[Burtess]

the ones we get here in Ontario are fine for two tanks. they are designed to hold two.

I used to have a 90/65 stacked among others for years and years.

the thing to remember is that although tube steel is light, it is incredibly strong.

my old fishroom with all metal tube stands:

also, my new fishroom (150g) with a tube stand made with 1.5" tube steel.

the point is, they are extremely strong .

I agree that they are strong enough to hold two tanks, but designed for two??? I don't think so. You need at least enough room to open the lid and have it fold all the way back, with two 75gal you couldn't do that. But just OK for a 65 on the bottom like you had.

I had one of these stands for my 50gal years back. It was made of 1" tube. Boy did that sucker sway back and forth with any sideways force on it!! Would have welcomed 1.5" tube for sure.

Burt

 

[fishbum]

You need at least enough room to open the lid and have it fold all the way back, with two 75gal you couldn't do that.

Look at the pic I posted in this thread of my 2 75's. There is more than enough room to fold the lids all the way back,and get a gravel vac in there and move it around. The biggest problem with the stand is the top of the top one is about 4 1/2' off the ground. If I wasn't 6'2'' it would be a pain to clean that one,not the bottom one.

I also have a 30 gallon on a metal stand.The bottom of this one was not designed for another 30 on the bottom,but a 20 long,which is what it has.

Different stands are designed to hold differernt sized tanks on the bottom.

 

[turtlesrock]

it depends on the dimesions of the space underneath. i would say give about5-6 inches between the tank and stand.

 

[Burtess]

Look at the pic I posted in this thread of my 2 75's. There is more than enough room to fold the lids all the way back,and get a gravel vac in there and move it around. The biggest problem with the stand is the top of the top one is about 4 1/2' off the ground. If I wasn't 6'2'' it would be a pain to clean that one,not the bottom one.

I also have a 30 gallon on a metal stand.The bottom of this one was not designed for another 30 on the bottom,but a 20 long,which is what it has.

Different stands are designed to hold differernt sized tanks on the bottom.

I am talking about the Big Al's stands available in Ontario, manufactured by Ontario Manufacturing. Of course others may be different.....

Burt

 

[fishbum]

I am talking about the Big Al's stands available in Ontario, manufactured by Ontario Manufacturing. Of course others may be different.....

Burt

Gotcha! My bad

 

[12 Volt Man]

I agree that they are strong enough to hold two tanks, but designed for two??? I don't think so. You need at least enough room to open the lid and have it fold all the way back, with two 75gal you couldn't do that. But just OK for a 65 on the bottom like you had.

sorry, I should have been more clear. they are designed to hold two tanks, but the bottom tank cannot be more than 18" high.

I believe thats why Miracles (a canadian domestic brand for all you non Canadian MFKer's..) still makes a 50g, 65g and 100g tank all 18" tall. these fit on the 3 foot, 4 foot and 6 foot metal stands respectively on the bottom.

Big Al's used to push them as bottom tanks for the Hamilton Manufacturing metal stands..

the 18" high tanks fit fine, with just enough room.

but any taller and its pretty tough IMO. thats why a 20" tall 75 is tough on the bottom. it only leaves 4 inches of clearance. not much when you need to get in there to plant etc.

in the days of old (aka the 80s and 90's), it would have been impossible to get lights that would have even fit easily under there, but now with the sleek T5 units, it could be do-able..

but in terms of strength, no problems. the space is the only issue.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I had one of these stands for my 50gal years back. It was made of 1" tube. Boy did that sucker sway back and forth with any sideways force on it!! Would have welcomed 1.5" tube for sure.

really? thats weird. my 65g tall (36x18) is sitting on one of the 1" tube stands right now, and it is solid. I can barely even shake it.

all my tanks on these type stands have been rock solid, which is why I have always stuck with them (even though wood looks nicer)

perhaps you had a defective one? hard to say.