Will this stand hold up a 100g+ tank?

[Backfromthedead]

How high are those plugs off the wall? It looks like you'll block them off if you go much longer.

I'd be tempted to put a custom long shallow tank across the whole width of that shelf, low enough and just wide enough so you can access those plugs and it fits snug up against the wall. Something like 225x45x40 cm. Then put the tv and everything on top of that. That would solve your weight distribution problems and be a much better tank for your aro.

Of course it could be awkward getting a tank that long up to your apartment.

 

[Arowanablubber]

How high are those plugs off the wall? It looks like you'll block them off if you go much longer.

I'd be tempted to put a custom long shallow tank across the whole width of that shelf, low enough and just wide enough so you can access those plugs and it fits snug up against the wall. Something like 225x45x40 cm. Then put the tv and everything on top of that. That would solve your weight distribution problems and be a much better tank for your aro.

Of course it could be awkward getting a tank that long up to your apartment.

That’s genius ?? I’ll have to look into some custom tanks but I’m not sure where to get one here...and shipping internationally would be outrageous

 

[Arowanablubber]

Provided they made contact to act as supports, Totally!
You want the preassure/weight from the tank to go straight down, rather then be on a ledge creating a lever effect wherever it connects to the wall. Its a lot easier for your shelve-like stand to be pulled out of the wall like that, adding vertical blocks to take the weight straight downwards to the floor reduces the stress significantly.

Though I did fail my AS level physics..

Well if I can’t find someone to make me a custom tank and have to settle for a stock one I’ll definitely add some blocks to that gap as an added layer of protection. Thanks for the advice man!

 

[esoxlucius]

If I have it right it looks like there are 6 drawers in total in the full unit that the TV and tank rest on. It also looks like there are 4 supporting structures, one very far left, one very far right and one each at the side of the gap. So your TV and tank are supported by 4 vertical supports in total. However, because your tank is over to the right it is supported by 2 supports only. The far right of the tank is supported by one, but the far left of the tank looks to be in no man's land because the support is about 9" further to the right (ideally your supports would be to the edges of the tank).

Those two supporting boards could be chipboard or MDF board if modern day mass produced household units are anything to go by. Neither of which would be number one on your lumber list if you were building a stand for a heavy aquarium. So long term i'd be very wary, I think a structural failure could happen.

If i'm wrong and those units are expensive custom made out of oak for example then i'd be a little less worried.

But to be honest, unless I was there to remove all the drawers and rummage around underneath to check what's supporting what, then it's difficult to say.

 

[Arowanablubber]

If I have it right it looks like there are 6 drawers in total in the full unit that the TV and tank rest on. It also looks like there are 4 supporting structures, one very far left, one very far right and one each at the side of the gap. So your TV and tank are supported by 4 vertical supports in total. However, because your tank is over to the right it is supported by 2 supports only. The far right of the tank is supported by one, but the far left of the tank looks to be in no man's land because the support is about 9" further to the right (ideally your supports would be to the edges of the tank).

Those two supporting boards could be chipboard or MDF board if modern day mass produced household units are anything to go by. Neither of which would be number one on your lumber list if you were building a stand for a heavy aquarium. So long term i'd be very wary, I think a structural failure could happen.

If i'm wrong and those units are expensive custom made out of oak for example then i'd be a little less worried.

But to be honest, unless I was there to remove all the drawers and rummage around underneath to check what's supporting what, then it's difficult to say.

Do you have a suggestion on a way for me to do this? Or is hiring an expert the way to go?

 

[Backfromthedead]

That’s genius ?? I’ll have to look into some custom tanks but I’m not sure where to get one here...and shipping internationally would be outrageous

Look for some long frag tanks. Im thinking a custom acrylic tank would be your best bet though. Of course $$$ becomes an issue when you start going custom.

Also consider your lighting, filtration and how to rig up the tv beforehand and make sure theres space. Pooks like a fun project to me though.

 

[Arowanablubber]

Do you have a suggestion on a way for me to do this? Or is hiring an expert the way to go?

It also looks like there’s one support in the center of the gap, what if I added playwood blocks along this support in the gap? Is there anyway to tell what type of wood this is? It doesn’t seem to be cheap but I’m not much of a wood expert

 

[esoxlucius]

Looking at that close up picture i'm pretty sure that wood, as I initially thought, is some kind of laminated chipboard or MDF. That tiny little chip on the edge where the laminate has come off shows the brown wood underneath.

That type of wood is not super strong, it's great for your TV and a few ornaments and books etc etc but a heavy fish tank, long term, I don't think so.

 

[Akeno071]

That type of wood is not super strong, it's great for your TV and a few ornaments and books etc etc but a heavy fish tank, long term, I don't think so.

Had a 5 gallon sitting on an MDF computer desk.
It got wet, once.
The damage that did has ruined the desks laminate and it has already got significant warping to it.
I highly don't recommend aquariums for those types of furniture because they really don't like water, and fishtanks are a pretty likely place for wetness from waterchanges, etc.

 

[Backfromthedead]

That is indeed some kind of laminated mdf or other type of particle board. Its not particularly weak but does not stand up to moisture well.

All hope is not lost though, particularly because of the granite top which should presumably protect the drawers from a lot of excess water. Also, the height is very minimal, meaning your tank will never be subjected to a lot of lateral forces that would be devastating to a taller stand made of the same materials.

I would consider adding some solid lumber reinforcements to the pillars if you can. But overall, with a tank in the 100-125 gallon range spread out evenly, i think it will hold up fine.