Habitat - Indoor :: Will this work as a stand?

[heather822]

Hi everyone,
I broke my turtles stand this weekend when I moved and I'm in need of a new stand and tank.I'm planning on getting a 50 gallon and I'm wondering whether this IKEA bookshelf will work as a stand if I tip it horizontally.The shelves may work as braces and its made of particle board which is the same as many fish tanks.Any input is appreciated.

[Linus]

I doubt it. You can ask what the weight maximum is but I wouldn't risk it.

I was actually looking at one of these to keep some type of lizards 8 different cages if you see what I mean.

[VeipaCray]

I definitely wouldn't use that as a stand.

For one, if your turn it sideways, the main horizontal platform where the tank sits is joined to the side of the two outermost vertical supports.

The weight of a glass tank is supported by the bottom rim of the tank. So all the weight is at the perimeter of the base of the tank. A proper tank stand for a glass aquarium is designed to support the rim of the tank. This bookshelf isn't constructed properly to take the weight of the tank and any movement. You are putting all the weight of the tank on a few bolts or screws that are in particle board. Wood on wood gives you strength in construction. Any weight on those screws and they will probably rip out of the particle board. The shelving in the middle while it may look like it would provide vertical support....probably will fail.

Please excuse the poor drawings...

This is proper construction for a tank stand. Wood on wood - same as you would build housing or decking.

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This is improper construction for a tank stand. The weight of the bottom rim is being supported by screws or bolts or cams ...not sure how your bookshelf is built. Particle board will chip, the screws bolts or cams will loosen, and your stand will fail. In the case of your bookshelf, the vertical supports aren't doing much. If the tank shifts, the screws cams or bolts will rip out of the stand and it will collapse.

wrong.jpg (10.43 KiB) Viewed 3837 times

[vear]

Definitely not. That bookshelf won't support the weight of a 50 gallon. Try to find a metal stand - they're much cheaper than the furniture looking ones. That's what I have my 75 gallon on.

Also, I just saw that the bookshelf is made of particle board. I don't know much about tank stands but I doubt they're made of particle board. Maybe the side panels or something are particle board but that's it. If you get particle board wet, it starts falling apart.

[heather822]

Thanks guys.I ended up going and getting a 60gallon and stand ensemble instead so hopefully everything is all good with it.

[vear]

that's great! Make sure to post some pictures! =)

[UpTheStox]

Ah, Ikea... amazing looking cardboard.

I use that bookcase for books, and it feels flimsy. I think you made the right decision to buy a proper stand.