Betta Tankmates

[pablothebetta]

Its not bowing majorly, but there is about 4-5mm difference in the water level from one side of the tank to the other, which is definitely 4-5mm too much, even though the tank is at one end of the shelves not in the middle. I'll think about ways I could reinforce the shelving, I think, then think about a new tank

 

[Cazgar]

These are the kind of brackets I was thinking of

 

[pablothebetta]

Ah I see what you mean, they are similar to what I was thinking actually, only the ones in my head didn't have the bar across. Would these be fine just under the top 'shelf' of the shelves where the tank is? Would that give enough support? Would they need to go under the tank or along the length of the shelves? Sorry for so many questions!

Thankyou very much for the advice

 

[Cazgar]

You can get different lengths of them, so the longer you get, the more support they'll give.
It should be ok just under the shelf you have the tank on.
My rule of thumb when deciding if a shelf will take the weight of a tank is for me to sit on it.
If I don't hit the floor, it's safe lol

 

[pablothebetta]

Just a thought. I think the shelves are just coated/painted MDF or chipboard. Would solid wooden shelves support a tank better?

 

[Cazgar]

Yes, solid wood would be stronger & give more support
If you have a local timber merchant they'll cut it to size for you

 

[pablothebetta]

I'll have a think about what I could do. On the up side, my cories are definitely more active and outgoing now there's 6 of them. On an evening they really seem to be coming out a lot more - not so much in the day, though still more activity then than before. There is usually at least one or two swimming around for most of the time from what I've seen- a huge improvement from before On the other hand, my betta seems to be becoming irritated with the cories, occasionally swimming after them, though never actually catching them. I hope he isn't turning aggressive