Is this stand safe for a 220g display?

[Rawsreef]

Can this stand hold this huge tank safely?

last night I was losing some sleep thinking about what if this system were to fall on me while I am under the tank. Pretty scary thought..

Reason I am skeptical is because of the thinness of the wooden planks that were used to brace this cabinet/stand. I did not realize it at first but after carrying this thing on and off the truck, mounting it on the stand, and then filling it. I am realizing how terribly heavy this thing really is.


tank is filled almost all the way with water just missing a few plumbing on parts that are arriving today to finish plumbing the tank. Still lots of laying under the tank to do..

 

[EricR]

Tough to judge based on pics so I'll let the more experienced (with tank weight vs stand) chime in.

All the braces are plywood,,, is that correct?
How thick are the plywood braces and how many plies (per that thickness)?
*looks roughly 1/2" (12mm) but just guessing.
If you know the type of plywood (like birch vs pine) that might be worth mentioning also.

Might be possible to reinforce with other lumber but hard to tell how practical that would be from out here.

Good luck and hope you get some good advice from experienced people here.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

add some extra bracing if you are unsure of its build quality is my suggestion.

 

[cmoore806]

Was it designed for that tank or is it repurposed from another tank?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Just the fact you are questioning it, why not add some extra support and sleep better? When I refurbished this old stand 8 or 9 years ago, I added some extra 2x4’s inside. I lost a little space, but the stand was solid and I never gave it another thought.

 

[Rawsreef]

Tough to judge based on pics so I'll let the more experienced (with tank weight vs stand) chime in.

All the braces are plywood,,, is that correct?
How thick are the plywood braces and how many plies (per that thickness)?
*looks roughly 1/2" (12mm) but just guessing.
If you know the type of plywood (like birch vs pine) that might be worth mentioning also.

Might be possible to reinforce with other lumber but hard to tell how practical that would be from out here.

Good luck and hope you get some good advice from experienced people here.

Not sure what kind of wood, not that experienced in carpentry lol. But it is mostly 3/4 inch ply I would like to say.

thickest part would be the frame that sits on the floor, which looks like a 2x4 on top of that ply.





also not sure about the support from under the tank itself. It basically sits on its edges. On the same 3/4 in ply.

The tank itself is 72lx24wx28d

 

[Wasabiroot]

@RocketEngineer

(He has a long running legendary tank stand thread using his template on another forum- might have some insight

 

[Rawsreef]

Just the fact you are questioning it, why not add some extra support and sleep better? When I refurbished this old stand 8 or 9 years ago, I added some extra 2x4’s inside. I lost a little space, but the stand was solid and I never gave it another thought.

Exactly what I was thinking of doing but not sure on how to go about it

 

[EricR]

Reinforce with other lumber is best idea and pretty much everyone (so far) said that but that would've been much easier to do before putting anything in/on the stand.

I'm sure you'll figure something out...

 

[RocketEngineer]

Ok, let’s have a look. Rolls up sleeves. Looks like a typical plywood frame stand. My biggest concern is the joints: how does the load on the top get to the bottom.

OP, can yo take a picture along the door hinge up into the corner. I’m trying to see how the long piece under the font edge of the tank connects to the legs.

 

[Rawsreef]

Ok, let’s have a look. Rolls up sleeves. Looks like a typical plywood frame stand. My biggest concern is the joints: how does the load on the top get to the bottom.

OP, can yo take a picture along the door hinge up into the corner. I’m trying to see how the long piece under the font edge of the tank connects to the legs.

Ok so pic overload.


front two corners of the stand have some diagonal reinforcement with the same piece of ply.
Those are the left and right corners of the stand when you are facing it.

the back corners and whole back side for that matter has no reinforcement at all.








here’s the whole backside of the stand

 

[RocketEngineer]

That’s what I was afraid of. Honestly, plywood stands can be made that are just as strong as framed stands. But lap joints that rely on glue strength in a saltwater environment is asking too much IMO.

Were it mine, I would build a new stand. I know, big pain. If the legs were UNDER the frame, different story but in this case the legs are alongside the piece that’s actually holding up the tank.

 

[Rawsreef]

That’s what I was afraid of. Honestly, plywood stands can be made that are just as strong as framed stands. But lap joints that rely on glue strength in a saltwater environment is asking too much IMO.

Were it mine, I would build a new stand. I know, big pain. If the legs were UNDER the frame, different story but in this case the legs are alongside the piece that’s actually holding up the tank.

*** lol…

 

[ReefEco]

As has already been said, do what you need to do to sleep better. Plywood stands can be made well and be strong, but exposed edges of plywood that are not edge banded and sealed well are particularly susceptible to moisture intrusion when compared to solid wood (which has its own challenges with moisture and movement). I would be most worried in a stand like this with no single continuous piece of plywood on the top, which can be a great help against racking and twisting.

 

[Enkopaaisen]

I will get some 2x4 frames inside the cabinet.... the whole thing looks pretty weak for 220G....

 

[jmichaelh7]

Your concern is legit.

anything for me not steel is questionable. that first pic makes me anxious

 

[Jimbo327]

Sorry, I would not get under that tank. The load does not seem to be supported or transferred to the ground. All of the weight are basically on the vertical plywood of the stand. Any lateral shift in weight and that whole thing is coming down in an instant. Very weak and poor stand design. But your own instinct already told you that.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Sorry, I would not get under that tank. The load does not seem to be supported or transferred to the ground. All of the weight are basically on the vertical plywood of the stand. Any lateral shift in weight and that whole thing is coming down in an instant. Very weak and poor stand design. But your own instinct already told you that.

i agree