Proper Support for a Glass Tank

Lighting, filtration etc
User avatar
jcali10
Posts: 790
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:08 am
Location: Catonsville, MD

Proper Support for a Glass Tank

Post by jcali10 »

I bought this used perfecto cabinet for a 75 gallon aquarium over the weekend. I didn't notice when looking at it, that there was not full perimeter support for the tank. Glass tanks require perimeter support, whereas acrylic for example require a full bottom support right. I think I can easily bolster it up with a few 1 by 2s or 1 by 3 pieces of lumber.

Image
Image
Joe
User avatar
Aaron
Posts: 3647
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:18 pm
Location: Woodstock, MD

Post by Aaron »

Is it made so the tank sits inside that lip? If so I'm with you and would run some strips to fill the gaps. I tend to over engineer things though so perhaps I'm not the one you should ask. :D
User avatar
jcali10
Posts: 790
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:08 am
Location: Catonsville, MD

Post by jcali10 »

Yes, I measured and it is 18" inside the top trim. As far as over engineering goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. This is a job I can handle. I feel stupid for not noticing it earlier, :oops: but I will get it up to code. :)
Joe
User avatar
chris_todd
Posts: 1118
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:05 pm
Location: Catonsville

Post by chris_todd »

Actually, Joe, I think the rim of the 75g tank is supposed to sit on the edge-on portions of the rim. But that is based on my experience with the AGA pine stand that came epoxied to the 75g tank I bought used last fall, so that may not be a great example.

I have some 3/4" plywood left over from the stand I built for my 75g - feel free to come by my place and take a look. I have both standard construction grade as well as oak veneer plywood.
User avatar
DonkeyFish
Posts: 1783
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:42 pm
Real Name: Jen Williams
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Post by DonkeyFish »

Overengineering is an EXCELLENT idea when you're talking about, oh, 700+ lbs of weight and live critters with the no-fun-at-all threat of a catastrophic flooding. :)

Never hurts to be safe vs. the alternative of sorry. You should see some of the overengineering my father has done for tank stands for me! Downright silly. But I can say I have NEVER had a problem with anything failing (or even thinking about it!).

Slapping some pieces of 1x3s in the gaps would be a simple way to get some peace of mind. Looks like all you should need... it really is shocking what passes for a tank stand anymore. :shock:
It is not murder if you're killing snails.
User avatar
Ltrepeter2000
Posts: 1555
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:22 am
Real Name: Rob Peterson
Location: Sterling, VA
Contact:

Post by Ltrepeter2000 »

Slapping a piece of hard foam insulation in on top of the entire area wouldnt hurt you either.
Robert Peterson
"Mr. Sarcastic"

The work will wait while you show a child a rainbow,
but the rainbow wont wait while you do the work

-Unknown-
User avatar
jcali10
Posts: 790
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:08 am
Location: Catonsville, MD

Post by jcali10 »

I never used a piece of foam insulation before, if I cover the open space with a sheet of plywood I may have to try that.
About quality, it is pine, a softwood, but pine stands are pretty common, and I particularly like the fact that I didn't need any help carrying it. A major drawback to particle board or medium density fiberboard for me is the weight of the stuff.
Joe
User avatar
Aaron
Posts: 3647
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:18 pm
Location: Woodstock, MD

Post by Aaron »

jcali10 wrote:Yes, I measured and it is 18" inside the top trim. As far as over engineering goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. This is a job I can handle. I feel stupid for not noticing it earlier, :oops: but I will get it up to code. :)
Measure the bottom of the tank itself. I think you'll find the width of the plastic rim on the bottom is larger than 18".
User avatar
jcali10
Posts: 790
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:08 am
Location: Catonsville, MD

Post by jcali10 »

Aaron I will definitely measure it, when I get it. I got everything but the tank and the substrate. My mineralized soil tank doesn't look too great, right now. Green Dust Algae on the glass and an unsightly brown algae on the leaves of my anubias nana, coffeeola, and c. becktii:?: How long does it take for the substrate to grow plants and not algae?
Joe
User avatar
Aaron
Posts: 3647
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:18 pm
Location: Woodstock, MD

Post by Aaron »

how long has the tank been set up? It takes 4-6 weeks for it to really kick in.
Post Reply

Sponsors