Is this enough support for my tank?

[Kristonenicolas]

My tank is 3' x 1'

My stand is 4' x 2' and a 1/4" plywood on top.

My tank will sit towards the back left of the stand.

There's a section in the top left (pictured) where there isn't a cross beam going along front side of the tank. There's a little bit of play when I push down on the plywood.

Is there enough support for my tank or should I be worried?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Hummmm. Don’t know enough about metal stands, so let’s see what others think— but something gives me that bad ‘What if someone bumps into that?’ feeling. How many gallons is your tank (water is about 8-pounds per gallon, no? Plus rock...). Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Hummmm. Don’t know enough about metal stands, so let’s see what others think— but something gives me that bad ‘What if someone bumps into that?’ feeling. How many gallons is your tank (water is about 8-pounds per gallon, no? Plus rock...). Hope it all works out for you.

Hmmm.

The stand is Rock solid made of solid aluminum. The play is in the plywood when I push down on the area without that cross beam.

I'm not worried about someone bumping into it. I'm more worried about the area that isn't supported. I would hate to come home to a cracked tank.

My tank is 21 gallons so roughly 168 pounds? With about 10 lbs of rock I'm estimating about 180lbs total.

I'd hate to get anything thicker than 1/4" plywood so I'm thinking my other option is to use an acrylic sheet rather than wood. Any advice on what kind of plastic to get and where to get it?

 

[laverda]

Plastic that thin is going flex as well. If all 4 sides of the tank are over supported areas is should be ok. Otherwise I would use thicker plywood or plastic.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Why only 1/4” — due to the looks?

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Plastic that thin is going flex as well. If all 4 sides of the tank are over supported areas is should be ok. Otherwise I would use thicker plywood or plastic.

Hmm I might find thicker plastic if anything. All 4 corners will be supported however. It's the front side that isn't all the way supported.

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Why only 1/4” — due to the looks?

Basically yes.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Sealed and painted the same color as the stand, I do think even 3/4” plywood would look bad, personally.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The tank needs to be supported from underneath on all corners. Vertical supports need to be under each corner. Plywood will sag over time. So no, not a good idea.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I defer to @Flippers4pups — I keep forgetting that you want to put your tank right smack in the middle of that stand, without full corner support

 

[Jesse Weiland]

With all tank corners supported you have plenty of support for the tank.

To stiffen up the plywood and take out that flex, you can glue strips of wood to the bottom of the panel. Either use leftover plywood or buy a cheap 1x3 at the hardware store. You'll be surprised how much just a couple of strips will stiffen it up. Use basic cheap wood glue. You don't need waterproof glue or anything fancy. Clamp down the strips or use something heavy. It doesn't need to weigh a ton. That 20 gal tank with some water will do it. Just need to have a little glue squeeze out and hold it flat.

 

[jsker]

The tank needs to be supported from underneath on all corners. Vertical supports need to be under each corner. Plywood will sag over time. So no, not a good idea.

I defer to @Flippers4pups — I keep forgetting that you want to put your tank right smack in the middle of that stand, without full corner support

These are good answers.

One note, the thicker and more ridged the top is, then the stand will work. For instance if granite was used at .75 to 1 inch will work. 1.5 inch laminated plywood might work, but might flex over time. One really want to be careful with a rimless tank since there is not any bracing on the tank to support and distribute the weight of the tank across the bracing

 

[JumboShrimp]

A light brown granite with professionally rounded corners would look awesome! Or even a man made product ordered from Lowe’s or Home Depot, like Stilestone

 

[Kristonenicolas]

Totally didn't see these replies when picking out new plywood for stand. I ended up with 1/2" plywood. If you look at where the bars are placed I feel like there is plenty of support for this 21g (the third picture is to show where the tank will sit).

 

[Jesse Weiland]

How's that 1/2 in feel. I bet it's pretty stiff. You happy with it now?

 

[Kristonenicolas]

I'm pretty conflicted right now. I was hoping the tank and stand would come together after being painted but in the end I'm not very happy with it. I feel the proportions are just way off and that I need to go bigger. I'm now looking at the UNS90P which is 36x18x18" and is double the volume at 44 gallons.

With the volume and weight being doubled, now do you think I'll have support issues?

 

[davocean]

I actually think a bigger footprint will land closer to vertical posts and less chance of sagging.

I do however always use 3/4" ply myself, but I think you are fine.

Unless that ply is fastened to frame it's going to flex, that's normal, tank weight should load that down.

Where did you get that tank?
I've actually been eyeballing that footprint for a new planted tank, don't see any around here that footprint.

 

[Kristonenicolas]

I actually think a bigger footprint will land closer to vertical posts and less chance of sagging.

I do however always use 3/4" ply myself, but I think you are fine.

Unless that ply is fastened to frame it's going to flex, that's normal, tank weight should load that down.

Where did you get that tank?
I've actually been eyeballing that footprint for a new planted tank, don't see any around here that footprint.

Thanks for the peace of mind! I'll see how the tank sits with the 1/2" and if anything I can always change it to the 3/4".

This tank is made by UNS. Aquamaxx also has a tank with the same dimensions but its been hard for me to find one in stock. Since you're in San Diego also, have you been to Petzone in Convoy? They carry both UNS and ADA. Its so nice to have a local fish store that carries reputable planted products. I did, however, have to wait a month for this tank to come in as it does go out of stock at times. Were you interested in buying this tank? If I decide to go bigger, I'm going to be exchanging it back (Petzone also has great customer service) so they might be having one in stock soon!

 

[davocean]

Thanks for the peace of mind! I'll see how the tank sits with the 1/2" and if anything I can always change it to the 3/4".

This tank is made by UNS. Aquamaxx also has a tank with the same dimensions but its been hard for me to find one in stock. Since you're in San Diego also, have you been to Petzone in Convoy? They carry both UNS and ADA. Its so nice to have a local fish store that carries reputable planted products. I did, however, have to wait a month for this tank to come in as it does go out of stock at times. Were you interested in buying this tank? If I decide to go bigger, I'm going to be exchanging it back (Petzone also has great customer service) so they might be having one in stock soon!

This is all great to know, I actually looked for ADA and came up w/ nothing, and I think aquamaxx took over Mr Aqua, but I can't seem to find either in those dims.

I have not been to petzone yet, I wonder if that is what used to be Jojo's Goldfish world?

PM me when you think you might get rid of that, but if they are giving you full credit that's pretty darn good for you

 

[Kristonenicolas]

This is all great to know, I actually looked for ADA and came up w/ nothing, and I think aquamaxx took over Mr Aqua, but I can't seem to find either in those dims.

I have not been to petzone yet, I wonder if that is what used to be Jojo's Goldfish world?

PM me when you think you might get rid of that, but if they are giving you full credit that's pretty darn good for you

I think I remember that goldfish store and if I'm correct Petzone is in a different plaza.

They're actually going to give me a full refund. I'll probably be doing the exchange this weekend.