Is My Home Made Fish Tank Stand Safe ?

[nick1200]

Im just wondering if the left hand side of my tank is well enough supported or do i need more blocks ? Also will i need to support the middle of the tank ??
 
Here are some images
 
 

 
This is under the left side of the tank

 
This is under the right side of the tank
 

 
I think the blocks under the left hand side needs to be moved more to the out side ? And then i think i need to buy more blocks for the middle ??

 

[Tim_UK]

Is the wood a kitchen worktop ?

What size tank and how long will it be on this stand ?

 

[nick1200]

yer its a kitchen worktop i bought from b &q to spread the weight over all the bricks. There are 25 cement bricks on each end of the tank. The tank is 6 x 2 x 2. And i was planning on leaving the tank on the stand for good...

 

[Tim_UK]

Ki don't think it will bow even as is, my biggest worry would be the worktop getting wet and then it will lose all its strength - have you varnished any bits of bare wood where it has been cut etc.

 

[Sophie]

Has the tank got a floating base? If not have you put polystyrene underneath?
/checking
 

 

[nick1200]

The kitchen work top is glazed with like marbel type of stuff here is a pic

 
Its not just wood. Kitchen work tops are made for water
The wood is sat on top of the blocks and the blocks are taking the weight of the tank so can not move the blocks...

 

[Sophie]

The question still applies, have you got polystyrene underneath?
If the tank glass is sitting directly on top of the cabinet then you need to put it on polystyrene or a tank mat in order to distribute the weight of the tank evenly so as to prevent any localised pressure build up upon the bottom glass which could cause cracking or fractures.

 

[nick1200]

The question still applies, have you got polystyrene underneath?

 
The tank was sat on the floor on top of polystyrene i have put the polystyrene under neath because i had no were else to put it. It is not supporting the tank in any way lol maybe this pic will explain
 

 
I built the stand and them moved the tank onto the stand and then had no were to put the polystyrene so just chucked it under the middle. There is nothing supporting the middle of the tank..

 

[Tim_UK]

kitchen worktops - if chipboard based like most are - unless solid granite or solid oak - are only made for water if any exposed edges are sealed - look at an old kitchen one that has been removed and you will see how swollen it is around any cuts. It takes moments to varnish the two cut edges and could save loads of problems later.
 
you will also need a 6x2 piece of polystrene - a massive sheet 25mm thick is a fiver from wickes - to go under the whole tank.

 

[nick1200]

kitchen worktops - if chipboard based like most are - unless solid granite or solid oak - are only made for water if any exposed edges are sealed - look at an old kitchen one that has been removed and you will see how swollen it is around any cuts. It takes moments to varnish the two cut edges and could save loads of problems later.

The both sides are against the wall ill varnish the center bit were the pipes will come thought the middle of the wood to go to the sump.So it will be best for me to get more blocks to support the middle ?

 

[Tim_UK]

Don't you need the space under the tank for anything - what about adding a piece of metal angle along the bottom of the wood - that way extra strength and you would have some usable space.

this is the poly from wickes:
 
http/www.wickes.co.uk/polystyrene-25mmx600x24m/invt/210801/

 

[nick1200]

I need space under the tank for my sump but i could put more blocks in the middle and then put the sump on one of the sides of the center blocks and then just put pipe work to the top of the tank... Also has you can see from Sophie post pressure will build up in the center of the tank ?? Is this right ?? I have a 4 x 1 x 1 on a wood stand and have had it for 2 years with no "pressure build up " I was thinking of making another wall in the middle and leaving a gap at the back for pipe work and then put the sump on ether the left or right of the middle wall.

 

[Sophie]

I need space under the tank for my sump but i could put more blocks in the middle and then put the sump on one of the sides of the center blocks and then just put pipe work to the top of the tank... Also has you can see from Sophie post pressure will build up in the center of the tank ?? Is this right ?? I have a 4 x 1 x 1 on a wood stand and have had it for 2 years with no "pressure build up " I was thinking of making another wall in the middle and leaving a gap at the back for pipe work and then put the sump on ether the left or right of the middle wall.

 
This is getting a bit out of my league now with DIY talk - all I know is, you 100% need a sheet of polystyrene under ever inch of the bottom of the tank that is in contact with the flat surface of the worktop. I'll leave it to some DIY guys to help with the rest!

 

[Tim_UK]

the pressure sophie mentions is probably when an imperfection or something puts pressure on a tiny part of the glass - a grain of sand under a tank without poly could break it if you were mega unlucky.

dont forget your new tank is 6 times heavier than your old 4ft one.
 
what about having two wooden uprights in the middle going down with the 4ft tank between these ?

 

[nick1200]

the pressure sophie mentions is probably when an imperfection or something puts pressure on a tiny part of the glass - a grain of sand under a tank without poly could break it if you were mega unlucky.

dont forget your new tank is 6 times heavier than your old 4ft one.
 
what about having two wooden uprights in the middle going down with the 4ft tank between these ?

 
 
Cement blocks are cheaper than wood were i live.Ill build another wall in the middle and then hope for the best i think. And hope that the bottom of the tank does not crack. I know with water and fish tanks that it will find the weakest point of the tank and it will try and crack but the best i can do is try and make the middle and both sides supported and hope for the best.