Please help! Aquarium stand failing

[LC8Sumi]

Hi All!

I hope it won't get deleted/blocked from here...

So I had my tank set up for around 3 years, and its stand is bowing more and more in the middle under the tank.
Let's just say the tank is out of warranty (let's not make this a manufcaturer flaming thread please!), so I would like to ask for some (DIY) ideas that I can implement real fast in the short run, because it now keeps me awake.

You can see how much the cross support is curved towards the sides. I feel like this piece can now snap at any time:

Thank You in advance!

 

[Fishy212]

I have saw somewhere that this is a known issue with redsea stands. I personally have a 250 and have no issues so far. Mostly what I saw was reefers with larger tanks 400+ XL models.

I tried to search for the article for you and link it but have not found anything so far... sorry. I remember he had to custom make a T brace that supported the sagging area and went directly into his sump.

I will continue to look for you and post it if I find it.

 

[LC8Sumi]

I have saw somewhere that this is a known issue with redsea stands. I personally have a 250 and have no issues so far. Mostly what I saw was reefers with larger tanks 400+ XL models.

I tried to search for the article for you and link it but have not found anything so far... sorry. I remember he had to custom make a T brace that supported the sagging area and went directly into his sump.

I will continue to look for you and post it if I find it.

Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Grab a 2X4" and brace the center both front and rear. Time for a new stand and remove 65% of water and salvage in buckets. Transfer to new stand and pump water from buckets back into tank

 

[Thetankdoctor]

+1 on the 2x4 brace. And quickly.

 

[Saltyreef]

i have a stand similar to this for my 40B. it was literally 4 sides and 2 doors with no bracing for 500+lbs of water. particleboard to boot. i decided to add bracing along the back and 2 braces under the board supporting the tank. its held up ok so far but im in the process of building a new stand due to too much wobble when im just cleaning the glass with a mag cleaner.
i would drain it as much as possible to take the weight of the water off the supporting board...
then cover your sump with a towel and predrill and screw a 2x4 or two crossways to support this until you can get a new stand.

 

[LC8Sumi]

Thanks for all the input. I wonder what length the 2x4 should be. Should I drain the tank in a container, fit the 2x4 so I take out the flex of the cross brace (so return it to original position) and refill. Or should I just cut it to be snug fit and leave the sagging in there for now, until I come up with a better idea?

 

[Saltyreef]

drain to take the weight and sag off.
2x4 should fit snug between that sagging front piece and the "pressumably" sagging back piece.

you can lay it on its longer side if it doesnt hide neatly behind the sagging board. you want to make it as square as possible to prevent any pressure points on the tank and risk possible breakage. im sure your stand would need to sag atleast twice as much before that happened though.

 

[Saltyreef]

This is what i did even for my all fir stand.

 

[LC8Sumi]

Thank You!

 

[Rathius312]

I would highly recommend draining that tank as much as possible before you do any screwing/shoring work. Don't want to cause stress to the existing stand. Best of luck!

 

[Slawman]

Use an Acro prop to bring it to level. Be careful not to lift to high in the center as you will just create the problem in reverse. Build two 2 x 4 pine or similar props either side.

Check everything with a straight edge and level.

 

[LC8Sumi]

I was thinking about using a tube or rectangular metal piece, like 0.5"x0.5", weld in nuts into their ends & use some bolts and washers to set the required length.

So basicly just prop the crossmember at the front.

I can't put in 2x4's as bracing, because there is no room for that in the cabinet

 

[K7BMG]

Yes bracing is needed.
I dont understand how the front brace is curving lime that.
It just does not make sense in my mind.
None the less it needs addressed and quickly.
Has RedSea been contacted for a fix? If its a RedSea that is?
I would follow the manufacturers suguestion if they have one.

You will need to be very careful here.
If you put a brace from the floor to the bottom of the front board it has to fit perfect so the board is flat. If you make the center a high point the tank may crack. It has settled into this situation over time.
To flip it and have the preasure go the oposite way could spell disaster.

 

[LC8Sumi]

This is the inside of the cabinet (not my picture), you can see how the sump goes right to the edges.

There is also a full panel in the back & the downpipes are right next to the back panel as well..

I don't think the middle of the back could be sagging (because of the full panel), I think it's just the front, that's floating in the air

 

[K7BMG]

Maybe its time to do a second tank.
Transfer everything, and then rebuild or replace the stand

 

[LC8Sumi]

Yes bracing is needed.
I dont understand how the front brace is curving lime that.
It just does not make sense in my mind.
None the less it needs addressed and quickly.
Has RedSea been contacted for a fix? If its a RedSea that is?
I would follow the manufacturers suguestion if they have one.

You will need to be very careful here.
If you put a brace from the floor to the bottom of the front board it has to fit perfect so the board is flat. If you make the center a high point the tank may crack. It has settled into this situation over time.
To flip it and have the preasure go the oposite way could spell disaster.

They had been contacted half a year ago. They've then said that this is not a problem on the 250's, only on the 750's, so they can do nothing about it and it is normal. I however think it has gotten worse since then, but my tank is now out of warranty anyway (it has since past the 3yo mark) & I'm 100% sure they wouldn't help me. I've tried to ask about opinions and advice (if others have experienced the same, if it's safe to run the tank like this, etc.) about the situation in their facebook group, but my post got locked, and further posts from me about the issue were deleted.
So I'm traveling on my own with this

About the second part: If I wouldn't "tension" the center brace (floor to bottom of the front board) to take out the gap & curvature, just put it in there "snugly", that would prevent further deterioration, wouldn't it? That could be enough, could it not?

 

[K7BMG]

They had been contacted half a year ago. They've then said that this is not a problem on the 250's, only on the 750's, so they can do nothing about it and it is normal. I however think it has gotten worse since then, but my tank is now out of warranty anyway (it has since past the 3yo mark) & I'm 100% sure they wouldn't help me. I've tried to ask about opinions and advice (if others have experienced the same, if it's safe to run the tank like this, etc.) about the situation in their facebook group, but my post got locked, and further posts from me about the issue were deleted.
So I'm traveling on my own with this

About the second part: If I wouldn't "tension" the center brace (floor to bottom of the front board) to take out the gap & curvature, just put it in there "snugly", that would prevent further deterioration, wouldn't it? That could be enough, could it not?

It should be but the piece would have to be precisely fit so it goes back to level.
I feel if it were to be even an 1/8 inch high it would spell disaster in a heartbeat.
If this was my tank I would build another stand, and get rid of that one.
I would question what other part of the stand is failing that you cant see or is not so obvious?

 

[LC8Sumi]

I can fit it precisely with the screwable (adjustable) leg approach I think. Other parts of the stand seems to be in perfect condition, but probably a new stand is the way to go in the not so distant future. Right now I’m just trying to buy some time, perhaps a month or two..

 

[LC8Sumi]

Okay, I've wrote another e-mail to Red Sea, just to make a fool out of myself again, as I know they'll won't say anything constructive. But at least I've tried it again.