Thoughts on stand for rimless tank

MoshJosh

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Found this old entertainment center, at least I think that’s what it is. Figured it would make a good stand as TVs back then weigh more than fish tanks. Anyway after taking a deeper dive, it seems that it’s not the most structurally sound. I went through and added some struts on the inside to better support the plywood top. I also replace the thin veneer back with some one by fours. It held my weight before, so shouldn’t have a problem holding the tanks, that said, I am a little bit worried about the top. The one by four I added to the back sticks up a little bit in the middle, don’t need the one inch . Do you think it would be OK if my rimless Tank sat on the foam mat and on that lip?

before:
A40E3965-88CB-4731-BD0C-64FFC9BCEF30.jpeg

almost done:
004262EE-EE8E-47DE-8420-B16FA2F30AF9.jpeg
8139884A-EFB9-4671-A78C-8E68BC50C043.jpeg
471A9A22-DC0D-4E43-BD15-66AB2A7EDEA9.jpeg
ABDACA5C-9C22-442A-AAD0-C882BDC1364B.jpeg
4F66B330-CD1F-4E56-8E01-ADDA3822F20F.jpeg
 
What size tank? Water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon.
 
Found this old entertainment center, at least I think that’s what it is. Figured it would make a good stand as TVs back then weigh more than fish tanks. Anyway after taking a deeper dive, it seems that it’s not the most structurally sound. I went through and added some struts on the inside to better support the plywood top. I also replace the thin veneer back with some one by fours. It held my weight before, so shouldn’t have a problem holding the tanks, that said, I am a little bit worried about the top. The one by four I added to the back sticks up a little bit in the middle, don’t need the one inch . Do you think it would be OK if my rimless Tank sat on the foam mat and on that lip?

before:
A40E3965-88CB-4731-BD0C-64FFC9BCEF30.jpeg

almost done:
004262EE-EE8E-47DE-8420-B16FA2F30AF9.jpeg
8139884A-EFB9-4671-A78C-8E68BC50C043.jpeg
471A9A22-DC0D-4E43-BD15-66AB2A7EDEA9.jpeg
ABDACA5C-9C22-442A-AAD0-C882BDC1364B.jpeg
4F66B330-CD1F-4E56-8E01-ADDA3822F20F.jpeg
I would suggest that you are probably 'ok' - however, you're sitting on it and getting off (a temporary load) is different than a constant (static load). I would tend to mount an entire piece of plywood across the back to add stability - drill holes where you want to for cords, etc - it will also give you a place to mount things. That would significantly strengthen the side to side movement capability. Just my thought..

PS - it also depends on what kind of thank you're putting on it - (hard to tell the dimensions). 40 gallons of water would weigh about 33 lbs or so EDIT - 330 lbs not 33. add equipment, etc. It looks like a good stand possibility.
 
Last edited:
I would suggest that you are probably 'ok' - however, you're sitting on it and getting off (a temporary load) is different than a constant (static load). I would tend to mount an entire piece of plywood across the back to add stability - drill holes where you want to for cords, etc - it will also give you a place to mount things. That would significantly strengthen the side to side movement capability. Just my thought..

PS - it also depends on what kind of thank you're putting on it - (hard to tell the dimensions). 40 gallons of water would weigh about 33 lbs or so. add equipment, etc. It looks like a good stand possibility.
I think you mean 333 lbs ;)
 
Found this old entertainment center, at least I think that’s what it is. Figured it would make a good stand as TVs back then weigh more than fish tanks. Anyway after taking a deeper dive, it seems that it’s not the most structurally sound. I went through and added some struts on the inside to better support the plywood top. I also replace the thin veneer back with some one by fours. It held my weight before, so shouldn’t have a problem holding the tanks, that said, I am a little bit worried about the top. The one by four I added to the back sticks up a little bit in the middle, don’t need the one inch . Do you think it would be OK if my rimless Tank sat on the foam mat and on that lip?

before:
A40E3965-88CB-4731-BD0C-64FFC9BCEF30.jpeg

almost done:
004262EE-EE8E-47DE-8420-B16FA2F30AF9.jpeg
8139884A-EFB9-4671-A78C-8E68BC50C043.jpeg
471A9A22-DC0D-4E43-BD15-66AB2A7EDEA9.jpeg
ABDACA5C-9C22-442A-AAD0-C882BDC1364B.jpeg
4F66B330-CD1F-4E56-8E01-ADDA3822F20F.jpeg
PS - it also looks like the tank will be standing solely on the 4 relatively small 'legs'. I would make sure you put something under them (to protect your floor) - and consider adding more support in the middle of the tank (ie..2 more legs front and back). You can also install adjustable feet - which will make leveling much more easy. Best of luck with the project
 
It’ll hold my 24 gallon rim less, my 7 gallon rimless, and a 5 to 10 gallon rim to tank underneath.
It looks like the top maybe sagging down in the center. You put a long straight edge across to ensure it is flat?

If the top is actually flat, I think you'll be good there.

Does the tank need the Entire top? I would have it sitting on a closed cell phone mat, not on the raised 1x4
 
It looks like the top maybe sagging down in the center. You put a long straight edge across to ensure it is flat?

If the top is actually flat, I think you'll be good there.

Does the tank need the Entire top? I would have it sitting on a closed cell phone mat, not on the raised 1x4
I don’t think the top is sagging, I think the one by four was a little warped, that said last night I found some 60 grit, and sanded it down to the level of the top.
 
I had already braced the “legs“ on the sides, and I just threw another support in the middle.

also, I threw a straight edge on top, and it seems to be pretty level. I think I will use some thick foam or rubber underneath for more even contact with the ground. I was thinking about just throwing a horse mat down and cutting into shape wants to stand is on top.

E34FA74C-7FB3-41C8-8E9B-598FB52D0F7A.jpeg
223690EE-2EF0-41EA-A135-9CCB209DBAD0.jpeg
48727D87-2781-42F0-B4F0-00D12B908EC5.jpeg
 
Since I had all the tools out, I decided to add some braces to the middle portion. I was sort of limited by the wood and tools I had on hand, but I think this turned out pretty solid:

0EFCB63B-082C-46E1-9379-01EF06265B8C.jpeg
 

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