Worried about tank stand quality

[polyppal]

Is it used? If not it looks pretty crappy for a new stand

Id either take it back or reinforce it on the interior with some studs running from the base to the top sheet of wood.

If the entire thing is made of those laminated plywood pieces like the center brace shows (has layers/lines you can see from edges) then it is probably strong enough. If it is chipboard/mdf (looks like solid color brown board on the edge, edges chip away easily) then definitely reinforce

Plywood is actually very strong, MDF is weak/brittle, particle board is somewhere in the middle but not really intended to be used to support weight on its side

 

[RedoubtReef]

Hate to tell you guys but that’s what most of the “high end” brands use. It’s going to be fine, just use common sense and watch any areas that might get wet.

Yep.

 

[Aldo0990]

Is it used? If not it looks pretty crappy for a new stand

Id either take it back or reinforce it on the interior with some studs running from the base to the top sheet of wood

It isn’t used lol it is indeed very crappy

 

[polyppal]

It isn’t used lol it is indeed very crappy

Hope it was cheap, otherwise id be taking it back Karen-style

 

[Aldo0990]

Hope it was cheap, otherwise id be taking it back Karen-style

It was really cheap lol, so I can’t complain too much. My main concern is if it will be strong enough to hold the tank so it doesn’t fall and kill my livestock

 

[billyocean]

It looks like mdf that's been veneered and edge banded. When they cut the veneer to glue on the mdf you can see the chips along the edges. Can't see the mdf but assuming that's what they vaneered over because it's smooth

 

[jabberwock]

If you are concerned about it, I would not risk it. If it fails, you will kick yourself for sure. What do you estimate the finished tank weight to be with sand rock and water? Probably pushing 400 pounds perhaps?

Get a couple of fat friends to sit on it and see if it wiggles at all.

 

[polyppal]

If you are concerned about it, I would not risk it. If it fails, you will kick yourself for sure. What do you estimate the finished tank weight to be with sand rock and water? Probably pushing 400 pounds perhaps?

Get a couple of fat friends to sit on it and see if it wiggles at all.

Rule of thumb is one fat friend per 25 gallons

 

[Aldo0990]

Did they tell you it was made of MDF?
The edges I see look more like plywood to me.
...or maybe I'm just seeing paint strokes and not getting a clear view.

Yeah they told me it’s MDF, but it has a laminate that emulates wood

 

[billyocean]

Yeah they told me it’s MDF, but it has a laminate that emulates wood

It won't stop moisture from getting to it when it's laminated/veneered with chips along the edges. Water gets everywhere eventually when you have a tank.

 

[LiamPM]

Regardless of structure - I wouldnt be using that stand.

You piad for a brand new one. That thing is scuffed around the edges and looks like a piece of used furniture.

Get what you paid for and return it. Ive just built myself a stand and even i got the doors to be parallel - Im no DIY master by a long shot.

 

[ScottJ]

It really looks like painted plywood to me. Unsanded plywood to boot!

 

[s1oliver]

Regardless of how cheap it was I'd return it and get my money back just based on looks alone. Did they build the tank as well? If so, I'd inspect every seam very carefully and water test the mess out of it.

 

[Aldo0990]

Regardless of structure - I wouldnt be using that stand.

You piad for a brand new one. That thing is scuffed around the edges and looks like a piece of used furniture.

Get what you paid for and return it. Ive just built myself a stand and even i got the doors to be parallel - Im no DIY master by a long shot.

Yeah it’s pretty trashy

 

[Reef.]

30g with the weight of the tank, rock, sand, lights etc you are looking at 150-175kg, that’s one fully grown man that is extremely over weight…if you are asking the question, that would be enough for me to suggest putting your mind at rest and getting a Stand you are totally confident in.

weight is not the only concern, it also needs to be totally lvl or you risk the tank cracking.

 

[Uncle99]

I would put the stand flat to the floor so weight is evely distributed.
I see nothing wrong with the stand, looks similar to most.

 

[jabberwock]

30g with the weight of the tank, rock, sand, lights etc you are looking at 150-175kg, that’s one fully grown man that is extremely over weight…if you are asking the question, that would be enough for me to suggest putting your mind at rest and getting a Stand you are totally confident in.

weight is not the only concern, it also needs to be totally lvl or you risk the tank cracking.

Agree and would add that the top of the stand also needs to be perfectly flat.

 

[Ahi Mahi]

Looks a little flimsy to me, but I make my own and I always over-engineer. If you want to still use it, you could reinforce it with a 2x4 frame inside.

 

[Braver69]

You can use this to paint the inside of the cabinet and it will keep it quite protected from any moisture penetration.