Is my stand bowing?

[TheNewClownFish]

Hey guys,

I was hoping if someone is able to tell if my stand is bowing? It’s a solid wood filing cabinet that I’m using. Tank is 15G.

When the cabinet is close, it definitely is clear that the middle is taking more weight. When I pull the cabinet out, the top wood is flat.

Any insight? Should I reinforce it? Thanks

 

[jabberwock]

Have you put a level on the tank? It may be an optical illusion, but it does not look level according to the waterline. Is it hardwood or particle board? Can you put a level on the cabinet?

 

[CasperOe]

From these pictures, no one will be able to tell you whether the stand is blowing or not- but stick on a straight bit of wood and you'll see it immediately..

Whether you should reinforce it or not is really up to your own preference and whether you want a good night's sleep

 

[Reefering1]

Its only a 15g, "solid wood", it won't collapse overnight. That said, it wouldn't take much effort to remove the top and add another layer of a hardwood to thicken it up- for piece of mind. Maybe screw the joints together throughout the cabinet.

 

[jabberwock]

I would not be as worried about the wood failing as I would be the glass cracking from uneven weight distribution. Check that it is level, you could get a leveling pad or pedestal.

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Hi, thanks for the quick and helpful replies. When I put a level next to the tank, it’s almost centred. The waterline might look funky in the pic, I think it’s possibly ah illusion cause the lid doesn’t sit flat on my tank and I’ve gotten those comments in real. I’ll take another look for the level again and make sure it’s right. Thank you!

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Here’s a pic with the level. I’m not super handy. It’s in the middle, but more close to the left. Is this of concern? Thanks!

 

[jabberwock]

Put the level on the top of the tank.

 

[reefbliss2344]

Look at the spacing I between the dresser top and the top lip of the drawer. Then look to the far right and far left compared to the middle. You can see gaps on the ends but not in the middle which indicates natural dip of the wood. I wouldn't be concerned though. Wood looks solid.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Hi, thanks for the quick and helpful replies. When I put a level next to the tank, it’s almost centred. The waterline might look funky in the pic, I think it’s possibly ah illusion cause the lid doesn’t sit flat on my tank and I’ve gotten those comments in real. I’ll take another look for the level again and make sure it’s right. Thank you!

the stand is bending due to weight, you can see that from the drawer top, looks like it can't take the weight

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

tank looks great, I might add

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

shim the stand until the water looks level

 

[sheel be right]

id say add a layer of mdf beneath the tank and on top of the mdf add a cut out section from a yoga mat or equivalent foam, did that with most of my nano tanks

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Thanks guys, appreciate all your responses. I have some time off later this week so I’ll get to work and see what I can do. A lot of helpful tips here!

 

[CBonito]

Yeah that has to be perfectly flat, or you'll be sorry. It happened to me. It started flat, but ended up flat on the floor.

 

[jabberwock]

I had a tank stand without a flat top. Eventually, after 1 year the bottom of the tank cracked corner to corner. A catastrophic failure. Thankfully I was home at the time to mitigate by tearing it all down quickly.

 

[TheNewClownFish]

I had a tank stand without a flat top. Eventually, after 1 year the bottom of the tank cracked corner to corner. A catastrophic failure. Thankfully I was home at the time to mitigate by tearing it all down quickly.

Ah man that’s my worst nightmare. I’m changing this tank anyways to a 20G Nuvo Drop off.

I’ll be draining it this weekend possibly and putting livestock in a bucket while I see if the tank was even flat. My room has weird spots were things aren’t levelled. Then, I’ll try reinforcing it. It’s just the cabinets don’t really come out (it’s a filing cabinet with screws) and a bit older. I did check, it’s solid wood. Any tips on how to make the stand stronger? Thanks

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Hi all,

I showed some people my stand. They agreed it’s completely solid and thick wood. It weights a lot. As @jabberwock suggested, to see if the cabinet is leveled. Well, I guess I might have found the reason. The cabinet is not exactly smooth and has a rougher feel in the middle. I’ll attach a picture. Either way, once I drain and remove the tank, I’ll make sure to make the stand even. Then put the new tank up.

I’m an idiot though. I put so much thought into this tank only to not realize the basics. Oh well, big lesson learned

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Just put a 3/4" plywood under the tank that spans the whole L X W of the cabinet.

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Just put a 3/4" plywood under the tank that spans the whole L X W of the cabinet.

Thank you! I’ll do that