Q. about engineering an 80-120 gallon tank stand

[TheUnnofficialStreisand]

For a community that is "chatty" I'd be better going to see Alan Carr

Q. from an engineering point of view, can an aquarium that is 80 - 120 gallons sit on a 2" board that overhangs a solid teak dresser by 2" on the side, length is fine as it sits at 5 feet.

Not really interested in paying more for an aquarium stand than that is more $$$ than the actual tank! Or do I go second hand?

Opinions?

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Talk to a few hobbyist welders.

I got the tank for my 470, 150 frag and 8 tank QT system for cheap by asking around.

Solid as anything...

 

[Troylee]

Glass or acrylic? Acrylic would be okay as long as it’s supported by the board on the entire bottom.. glass needs to be supported around the perimeter and can float in the middle almost. I can’t speak on the dresser..

 

[Troylee]

Just remember a 100 gallon tank is gonna weigh at least 1000 pounds with water and rocks..

 

[mike550]

For a community that is "chatty" I'd be better going to see Alan Carr

Q. from an engineering point of view, can an aquarium that is 80 - 120 gallons sit on a 2" board that overhangs a solid teak dresser by 2" on the side, length is fine as it sits at 5 feet.

Not really interested in paying more for an aquarium stand than that is more $$$ than the actual tank! Or do I go second hand?

Opinions?

Very rough estimate but saltwater weighs 8.6 lbs/gal. So 100 gallons of water would weigh 860 pounds. Then add rock, sand, etc. Lets say 1000 pounds. So the question is can the dresser hold 1000 pounds plus some level of safety / error?

 

[Lowell Lemon]

The pounds per square inch should be taken into account. Does the teak dresser have feet or does it contact the floor all around a perimeter of the base? The more contact the less pounds per square foot distributed to the floor.

 

[TheUnnofficialStreisand]

Very rough estimate but saltwater weighs 8.6 lbs/gal. So 100 gallons of water would weigh 860 pounds. Then add rock, sand, etc. Lets say 1000 pounds. So the question is can the dresser hold 1000 pounds plus some level of safety / error?

I believe it can!

 

[Rmckoy]

Very rough estimate but saltwater weighs 8.6 lbs/gal. So 100 gallons of water would weigh 860 pounds. Then add rock, sand, etc. Lets say 1000 pounds. So the question is can the dresser hold 1000 pounds plus some level of safety / error?

As you add rocks and sand you’re displacing. Water and the water weighs more per square inch .

 

[Rmckoy]

Teak is nice compared to some of the furniture sold at ikea .
i personally wouldn’t put any aquarium on anything solid wood without expecting swelling , spills , or water damage
If it’s glass ideally I would prefer support around the perimeter of the tank where the glass walls and bottom meet . This transferring and supporting the weight and force . But to also protect the edges of the glass from accident being banged into

 

[mike550]

As you add rocks and sand you’re displacing. Water and the water weighs more per square inch .

Absolutely that’s why I just moved up to 1000.