Tank Stand Failing

[Schlagg]

Went to do my daily tank maintenance yesterday and noticed the laminate on the side of my tank was peeling. Upon further inspection, the entire 24 inch side of the cabinet is bowing/swelling. The stand is a Deep Blue series V. It appears the underlying material is MDF so I'm worried the stand could collapse at any moment.

How do I break this tank down to preserve fish, substrate, rock, etc.?

 

[Tru REEF]

If u have the time and money I would build a new stand ASAP 150 bucks total a basic wood stand can go up in a day with wood cuttings from Lowe’s or alike. Get some totes or setup a temp tank to hold inhabitants while u do the switch with a heater and pump or air stone inside. Fish in one bucket corals in one and rocks in one I would lightly rinse sand if possible with tank water so not to get to much bad stuff back in the tank. The question is what is your plan for the stand?

 

[Captain Quint]

Went to do my daily tank maintenance yesterday and noticed the laminate on the side of my tank was peeling. Upon further inspection, the entire 24 inch side of the cabinet is bowing/swelling. The stand is a Deep Blue series V. It appears the underlying material is MDF so I'm worried the stand could collapse at any moment.

How do I break this tank down to preserve fish, substrate, rock, etc.?

I am really sorry to read this.

Your concerns are understandable and IMHO/IME warranted.

If it were mine I'd purchase a brute tote or something sufficient to hold the LR and critters and such to be safe before building or buying a stand. You would need something before transferring the tank to a new stand anyway.

*If mine I'd probably put the substrate in another container, stir until clean with tank water to keep it live and then add to the temporary tank type vessel and then add the LR and after settling, I'd add the livestock.*

I'm not sure what type of filtration you use and you might need something like an AquAclear or the like for the vessel being used.

Please keep us advised.

 

[dbjonesjr]

Went to do my daily tank maintenance yesterday and noticed the laminate on the side of my tank was peeling. Upon further inspection, the entire 24 inch side of the cabinet is bowing/swelling. The stand is a Deep Blue series V. It appears the underlying material is MDF so I'm worried the stand could collapse at any moment.

How do I break this tank down to preserve fish, substrate, rock, etc.?

Second what quint said. Other option that sometimes is cheaper is if you have another tank laying around like a 40 breeder or 75. If you are part of a local club someone there may be able to help you out for the time being. I know everyone in my area is super helpful.

 

[Pntbll687]

If you have some spare wood laying around you can cut it and wedge it under the inside of the stand to get some extra support. THIS IS TEMPORARY!! And it's only to buy you some time so you can get supplies to transfer inhabitants.

 

[Javamahn]

UPGRADE TIME!!!

 

[Rjukan]

Yikes! I'm sorry to hear this as well. You got a few really good suggestions for going forward. I would also look into the cause of this problem. For it to be that damaged there must be a somewhat constant or regular supply of water coming in contact with the stand.

 

[Schlagg]

Thank you guys for your awesome suggestions and ideas.

My plan is to buy a small 40g breeder to temporarily keep the fish with heaters, powerheads, etc. I've got 2 44 gallon Brute containers I use for water changes that I can keep the live rock in. I'll siphon the water off, transfer the sand to a few 5 gallon buckets.

I'm hoping this will ameliorate the current flood risk while I order a new stand.

Next quetion: suggestions for 48 x 24 inch stand!! Really like the red sea reef aquarium stands and how they look, but I haven't done much research.

 

[Captain Quint]

Thank you guys for your awesome suggestions and ideas.

My plan is to buy a small 40g breeder to temporarily keep the fish with heaters, powerheads, etc. I've got 2 44 gallon Brute containers I use for water changes that I can keep the live rock in. I'll siphon the water off, transfer the sand to a few 5 gallon buckets.

I'm hoping this will ameliorate the current flood risk while I order a new stand.

Next quetion: suggestions for 48 x 24 inch stand!! Really like the red sea reef aquarium stands and how they look, but I haven't done much research.

Hey, friend, do you have any pics for further discussion on a new stand?

 

[jsker]

transfer the sand to a few 5 gallon buckets.

Toss the sand and start new.

I order a new stand.

See if you can find someone to build a stand for you, that knows what materials up use. I am not a fan of the press board or laminated MDF stands. The cost will be more, but the stand will be so much better then what one can buy from the manufactures.

What you are looking for is a outdoor wood cabinet ply and not marine grade ply. If someone uses regular cabinet ply, make use all the edges are sealed in the construction, besides the sides being finished.

 

[Schlagg]

I do have a few places I could contact about getting one built. Any experience with aluminum? Or magnet panels rather than doors?

 

[Dom]

I do have a few places I could contact about getting one built. Any experience with aluminum? Or magnet panels rather than doors?

You're working with salt water. I'd stay away from anything metal, unless it is powder coated. I'd build my own out of wood and then paint/polyurethane it for protection.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You can place contents into a large tub and salvage water, remove tank and either:

Brace the tank with 2X4" or 4X4"

OR

Repace the stand with a new one.

Then repack the tank onto stand and place specimens in it. Should not require recycling of you work quick enough./

 

[Schlagg]

Break down of the tank was a success! Fish are happy swimming around in a 40g breeder. Live rock are hanging out in a heated Brute tub with lots of circulation. The LFS was not satisfied with how quickly the stand deteriorated and offered a discount on a custom built stand. I postponed until I could research materials better.

 

[Captain Quint]

@Schlagg awesome job on jumping on this so quickly and glad to hear the LFS is concerned on the stand. Thank you for sharing the pic and I see what you mean about the stand going 'south'.

Hopefully, your new stand concerns will be addressed and go to go soon.

It would be a good opportunity now to stick that skimmer in a bucket with some white distilled vinegar and RODI fresh after a wipedown of the existing gunk for an extreme clean.

Please keep us up to date.

~Best regards~

 

[Schlagg]

Would you recommend diluting the vinegar or just fill a bucket with pure vinegar and let that baby soak? Also, would you recommend doing that with all the equipment?

 

[Captain Quint]

Would you recommend diluting the vinegar or just fill a bucket with pure vinegar and let that baby soak? Also, would you recommend doing that with all the equipment?

A 50/50 mix should be more than enough and perhaps a bit less, to be honest.

I put a couple of gallons of RODI fresh in a 5g bucket and add the vinegar until the foaming starts and it doesn't take much really. Maybe 8ish ounces.

 

[sfin52]

That's quick action. Glad all was able to be moved so quickly

 

[davocean]

I don't know what area you are in, but you may want to check for local clubs in your area to seek a cabinet builder that understands marine aquarium needs.

I'm a carpenter myself, and I hate MDF for marine applications, solid lumber or ply is much better.

As for aluminum, many do use this and there are threads on this here, for some people this works well, and you can always wrap w/ pretty wood later, and you are not locked into magnet panel doors, but they are an option and some people like those.

I prefer quick release soft close hinges myself.

Having a steel stand is a nice option, if coated w/ something durable, and powder coat is nice if in budget, costs a little more.

Luckily you caught in time, and good use of brutes, just one reason I keep several on hand.

 

[vetteguy53081]

While nice of the LFS for offer, I would contact manufacturer and send them pics for any warranty coverage/replacement.

By any chance, is this a Marineland stand?