Should stand's surface area be bigger than the fish tank surface area?

[orioncygnus]

I have a 20 gallon aqueon tank The length is 25" and the width is 13.25".

I also got an Imagitarium cabinet stand

The length of this stand is 24.5" and the width is 12.75".

So the tank exceeds the table by about 0.5" in both the length and width directions. I'm wondering if this is OK?

Usually, is the stand surface larger than the tank surface?

 

[GaryE]

I had to edit out the urls. I know they were well meant, but...

It's best to have the tank firmly on the strongest parts of the stand. If it hangs over the edge, I'd get a piece of wood to put under the tank at the size of the tank base. You can always paint or stain the parts that show.

 

[orioncygnus]

Thanks. For that extra piece of wood, would you recommend fixing it to the stand or can it just sit on it without being fixed?

 

[GaryE]

Hmm. It's only when you put the tank on that there's danger of movement, short of it being in a high traffic area of the house. It's always safer to attach it, but that can be hard to do. I make my own stands and will confess to taking the odd risk. I would use 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch wood.

 

[FranciscoB]

The tank should be fully seated on a flat surface that is at least the same size as the tank’s footprint. It would be wise to add two thin strips of wood attached under the flat piece of wood the tank will sit on (on two sides). In that manner the flat wooden base can’t move and it will make positioning the tank safer. It is only strictly needed to position the tank, but it will make it safer. Once the tank is full of water, it wont move.
All that being said, it is amazing the crazy bases used by people in some fish rooms….and they get away with it….until they don’t.

 

[MaloK]

You are not forced to fix the additional plank of plywood, you can use anti-slip mat under it.

If you want to preserve the furniture you are using. Without gluing or screwing.

With the weight of the water, there's no chances it moves.