Tank stand compromised?

[Ch4ddingt0n]

Hey!
I've had a 50gal for years and just moved up to an 100gal this week, so I'm not experienced on BIG tanks enough to know how much of a problem this could be.
It's a juwel Rio 400 tank and stand. Just got it all set up and filled, but I've noticed the inside panels now look like this at the bottom?
The outside of the stand is showing no signs of pressure, and since they're both built for eachother I wouldn't have thought I'd have to worry too much.
But naturally I don't want my living room to turn into the sea, or anyone to get hurt, and I want to ask some people who 100% know what they're looking at.
Have I gone wrong somewhere?

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Looks like the Laminate is coming off of the wood. Is it a used stand? You can heat the Laminate up with a hair drier or heat gun to get the Contacts cement to release. See what’s underneath and do your sanding, filling and repairs. Then glue the Strips back on with contact glue.

 

[Aquajamin]

Agree with SteveMM62Reef the laminate is de-laminating from the sub-straight. The Laminate should not be the structural component of the stand. If water entered between the laminate it will cause the sub-straight to swell and cause this problem.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Most stands are made with a mix of wood that's compressed to make 'form' or shape and then covered in an laminate, wood swells when wet and this happens mostly at ground level, most of the time it happens with mopping/ cleaning your home!
As it's an aquarium stand yes it looks ugly and will be prone to more water then mopping, unfortunately only thing to do is glue it up to make it more pleasing to the eye

 

[Ch4ddingt0n]

Looks like the Laminate is coming off of the wood. Is it a used stand? You can heat the Laminate up with a hair drier or heat gun to get the Contacts cement to release. See what’s underneath and do your sanding, filling and repairs. Then glue the Strips back on with contact glue.

It is used, I think ex display at an aquatics store. It's the fact it's the same on both sides that concerns me, but it very well could have water damage on both.
Thanks for your help. Sounds like I can do a little repairing and it's not as big a worry as I thought.

 

[Freenow54]

Agree with what is happening. What caused it? Is it brand new? did you slide it around with too much weight on it? Ie lateral movement causing shear weight? If that is a hollow construction, and it appears it is, I would get a stronger stand if it was me

 

[Ch4ddingt0n]

Most stands are made with a mix of wood that's compressed to make 'form' or shape and then covered in an laminate, wood swells when wet and this happens mostly at ground level, most of the time it happens with mopping/ cleaning your home!
As it's an aquarium stand yes it looks ugly and will be prone to more water then mopping, unfortunately only thing to do is glue it up to make it more pleasing to the eye

Good thing I bought some glue today for the centre brace! Thanks guys

 

[Ch4ddingt0n]

Agree with what is happening. What caused it? Is it brand new? did you slide it around with too much weight on it? Ie lateral movement causing shear weight? If that is a hollow construction, and it appears it is, I would get a stronger stand if it was me

The stand is built for the tank, but I agree I would be more comfortable if it was more sturdy. I'm going to get support poles in due time, just as long as I can glue and keep an eye for now without the worry of it suddenly giving and crushing anyone/flooding the place.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Just small water damage and always below aquriam

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Looks like you have older model of stands which are the best, over an inch thick, not like these pretty 3cm crap that can't hold a book on top.
It's usual water damage, you will notice a curve or bend in newer stands but I assume yours (pic) is more lasting/ stronger

 

[Ch4ddingt0n]

Looks like you have older model of stands which are the best, over an inch thick, not like these pretty 3cm crap that can't hold a book on top.
It's usual water damage, you will notice a curve or bend in newer stands but I assume yours (pic) is more lasting/ stronger

Yes, this one's discontinued. No bowing or curves anywhere. I was wondering if it happened when the centre brace gave yesterday, but it probably is just water damage from its previous place that I just didn't notice before.
You've really put my mind at ease there. If it's just aesthetic damage and I can trust it to hold then that's all I need.
Don't think I'll be going any bigger than this, still a small tank in the marine world but it's big enough for me