180gallon stand question

Saltine · Dec 27, 2016

Just bought this tank, it's a few years old but noticed the stand doesn't have any cross braces, so the tank just sits on the edges which look like 2x4's.

Do I need cross braces?

Saltine · Dec 27, 2016

anyone?

RCs reef · Dec 28, 2016

I would put some in. I'm building a 120g right now and i will be putting some in. Never hurts to have extra support

Saltine · Dec 28, 2016

RCs reef said:
I would put some in. I'm building a 120g right now and i will be putting some in. Never hurts to have extra support

Thanks, as you can see the way this is built I don't think that's possible. I could add them but since they would be horizontal instead of vertical I don't think they would help at all.

MaiReef · Dec 28, 2016

I would at least put one in the middle.

rayn · Dec 28, 2016

That center plastic keeps the bottom ring from coming off, it doesn't really support the glass. However that would be where one could be added.

How thick is the bottom?

Saltine · Dec 28, 2016

rayn said:
That center plastic keeps the bottom ring from coming off, it doesn't really support the glass. However that would be where one could be added.

How thick is the bottom?

1/2"The entire tank is actually sitting on the edge of the brace I can actually stick my fingers up under the tank in between the stand in the glass where under the 2 x 4

Saltine · Dec 28, 2016

So even adding some cross bracing is it going to actually support the tank

rayn · Dec 28, 2016

Probably not. Glass tanks with the plastic trim is supported by the trim. Acrylic tanks need the full bottom support.

I have a 120 with no center support. I have had a 180 in the past with no center support either. I'll check if I have any pics of the stand from that tank, it was a premise stand. I don't think it has anything in the center but a brace for the stand itself.

Saltine · Dec 28, 2016

rayn said:
Probably not. Glass tanks with the plastic trim is supported by the trim. Acrylic tanks need the full bottom support.

I have a 120 with no center support. I have had a 180 in the past with no center support either. I'll check if I have any pics of the stand from that tank, it was a premise stand. I don't think it has anything in the center but a brace for the stand itself.

Thanks! I believe the tank is 4 years old and has used the same stand. All appears to be well.

TJFitz1980 · Dec 28, 2016

Don't believe necessary but for sure wouldn't hurt a thing to add it.

Betty1964 · Dec 28, 2016

I would but it would be to make the sides stronger.

DereksReef77 · Dec 28, 2016

Looks like a pretty crappy stand to me. I would throw it away and build a new one, shouldn't take more than 4-6 hours to build a good one if you have the power tools to do the job. 180 gallons is alot of weight. I built all my stands 7 total. Heres my most recent 210 gallon.

RCs reef · Dec 29, 2016

Saltine said:
Thanks, as you can see the way this is built I don't think that's possible. I could add them but since they would be horizontal instead of vertical I don't think they would help at all.

yes true if anything you could build one if you are able to. if you go into the diy section of this form, you can see all kinds of ideas, and different kinds of stands people have built to give yourself an idea.

Saltine · Dec 29, 2016

RCs reef said:
yes true if anything you could build one if you are able to. if you go into the diy section of this form, you can see all kinds of ideas, and different kinds of stands people have built to give yourself an idea.

Thanks!

I've decided I'm going to stick with it, as it's held up this long, it's solid and heavy, I don't think it's an issue.