Is my stand strong enough?

[Michael W.]

I am currently picking between two tank sizes for my first saltwater tank, a 13.5 gallon and a 20 gallon, both AIO. The stand I will be using is an IKEA Malm 3-drawer dresser. The employee at IKEA told me the dresser should easily support the 13.5, and through multiple reddit threads I have come to believe the same may be true for the 2o gal. It seems very sturdy and strong to me, I have stood, sat, walked on it, all ways to test how strong it is. Of course, i am not 200 lbs, and I have not put that sort of weight on it for an extended period of time, but it seems good to me.

I know a lot of people out there will say ever get anything but a fish stand for a fish tank, and I understand that. We are putting the lives of our creatures in the hands of these stands. If I could, I would put the tank on the floor but that is not the most aesthetically pleasing. If it comes to it, I am willing to either stick with the 13.5, or wait a few months until I can shell out the cash for a true stand. Again, I have been to a couple threads now where people share that this stand has held this sort of weight, or that they believe it can.

I am also willing to add some supports to the stand (if I can figure out how) to bring some peace of mind to myself. I would much rather have the 20 gal for obvious reasons so anyway I can make that work would be preferred. Thanks!

 

[jamie1210]

I have the same dresser and i was able to keep a 12 gallon jbj nanocube on it without any problems for years. Unfortunately, a 30 gallon tank, Empty, would make it sag in the middle. With that in mind, i would be super wary of a 20 gallon stocked tank!

 

[Michael W.]

I have the same dresser and i was able to keep a 12 gallon jbj nanocube on it without any problems for years. Unfortunately, a 30 gallon tank, Empty, would make it sag in the middle. With that in mind, i would be super wary of a 20 gallon stocked tank!

Wouldn't a 12 gal filled with water weigh more than a 30 gal empty?

 

[Sailingeric]

If in doubt, don't!

 

[jamie1210]

Good point. My only explanation would be that maybe the weight of the nanocube over the years weakened it enough to be unable to support the 30. Regardless, it wasnt the sturdiest of surfaces!

 

[Michael W.]

Good point. My only explanation would be that maybe the weight of the nanocube over the years weakened it enough to be unable to support the 30. Regardless, it wasnt the sturdiest of surfaces!

Sounds risky, I'll stick with the lower gallon tank I think.

 

[Rjukan]

If you have the space save up and get the proper stand.

 

[Michael W.]

If you have the space save up and get the proper stand.

Do you know if there are times during the year that the stand prices drop? Because the stand for this tank is pretty pricey.

 

[Sailingeric]

Build one. 2x4 are strong. Some good paneling/plywood and some stain and you can have a decent stand fairly cheap. I built a stand for my 29 gallon FW tank in my garage from scrap 2x4 I had and I suspect it could hold up a car. The vertical strength of 2x4 is really high. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1142608

 

[pjdiddy]

I wouldnt trust IKEA furniture imho.

 

[Rjukan]

Building a stand is a good option if you're handy. Try taking a look at generic stands that have the same footprint as the AIO tanks you're looking at, maybe you can find one at Petco?

 

[marlinmon]

I use an IKEA on my 10 gallon QT and even it needed reinforcement.

 

[cracker]

Is it made of particle board with the turn screw slot things? Sorry Friend a 20 gl full of water rock then a hood & light your talking 250 plus lbs . I wouldn't do it.
Please don't listen to sales person with out checking with us also . good Luck .

 

[Michael W.]

I wouldnt trust IKEA furniture imho.

Building a stand is a good option if you're handy. Try taking a look at generic stands that have the same footprint as the AIO tanks you're looking at, maybe you can find one at Petco?

I use an IKEA on my 10 gallon QT and even it needed reinforcement.

Is it made of particle board with the turn screw slot things? Sorry Friend a 20 gl full of water rock then a hood & light your talking 250 plus lbs . I wouldn't do it.
Please don't listen to sales person with out checking with us also . good Luck .

Good thing I double checked here then I'm going to go for the 20 gal but switch out the ikea dresser for a proper stand. A little bit longer of a wait is worth a lot in the long run considering what it's holding up.

 

[samnaz]

have you looked into Aquatic Fundamentals / Petco stands?

 

[ReefdUp]

Please buy something appropriate. Remember that water weighs roughly 8 pounds per gallon... subtract some of that out to replace with the weight of rock and sand. You're looking at very roughly 200 lbs. MDF (guessing that's the IKEA material) absorbs water like crazy and weakens. Is there a center support on whatever you're looking at? Is there bracing around the tank bottom? Is the tank braced on the bottom? If not, any change to your stand will likely bust that tank. There's no way I'd do it. I've even seen those folding tables at swaps fail with 20 gallon tanks.

Save your money and do it right. Doing it wrong will cost you more in this hobby in the long run.

 

[Michael W.]

have you looked into Aquatic Fundamentals / Petco stands?

My guess is that I'll just go for the IM stand for the NUVO 20...

 

[Michael W.]

Please buy something appropriate. Remember that water weighs roughly 8 pounds per gallon... subtract some of that out to replace with the weight of rock and sand. You're looking at very roughly 200 lbs. MDF (guessing that's the IKEA material) absorbs water like crazy and weakens. Is there a center support on whatever you're looking at? Is there bracing around the tank bottom? Is the tank braced on the bottom? If not, any change to your stand will likely bust that tank. There's no way I'd do it. I've even seen those folding tables at swaps fail with 20 gallon tanks.

Save your money and do it right. Doing it wrong will cost you more in this hobby in the long run.

Yep,better safe that sorry. It's a longer wait for me than I had originally hoped but it will be looking good in the end!

 

[Rjukan]

I agree it's worth the wait. Also, if you decide to sell and upgrade in the future a tank/stand combo will be easier to sell.

 

[Dan_P]

Wait until you can buy the 20 gallon with a stand.