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I have a hardwood (oak), very sturdy office 'credenza' like chest, with solid wood walls on all sides and two doors that open in the front. It's 36.5" wide, 20" deep and 28.5" tall. I'd like to take a picture but I don't know how to show it here.

Anyway, I would like to use it as a stand for a tank larger than the one I have now. I have a 4" RES who still resides in a 20 gallon tank and he needs a new home! I'm looking to buy a tank no less than a 75 or 80 gallons. I think any tank I get would probably hang over a few inches on the sides.

Would this be a problem? I'll try to take a photo...

The bottom rim of the tank needs to be supported. If it only overhangs by an inch or two on either side you could probably get away with putting a piece of 3/4" plywood under the tank.

Here's a picture - hope this worked.




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Cool! That wasn't so hard.

As long as that table feels solid and stable (no wobbling) if you put a large enough piece of 3/4" plywood to support the entire fish tank on top of the table and then rest the tank on the plywood. That will only work if the tank overhangs the left and right sides of the table by only an inch or two on either side. Any more than that and you're taking a dangerous risk. Also if the tank overhangs the front and back as well it will put too much stress on the plywood and it will give out eventually.

Water weighs ~ 7-8 lbs a gallon... so if you think that your table can hold that much weight plus the tank, it's ok. Just put a support under it as David described if there is an inch or two difference in length. If in doubt, it's always better to be safe and keep it on the floor or buy a stand... cleaning up 70 gallons of water doesn't seem fun.

You can also sit on it. If it bends or anything with you on it, then there is no way it can hold the tank. If it does hold you, then grab a kid

It's pretty sturdy. My 250 lb husband can sit on it with no stress. I guess my best bet would be to try and find a tank that fits closest to the top measurement all the way around.

I'll check out that site - glass cages for some ideas. Or just buy a freakin' stand for the right tank! Like to use what I have tho... and this chest would be perfect with the storage and all.

Anyway thanks SO much for your help and information.

tell us how it goes

Remember my original post about using the credenza as a stand for a new tank? Well, plans changed - drastically.

Since my other daughter (husband) wanted HER (his) own turtle, we just returned from our local HUGE aquarium store and bought a 120 gallon tank 48"wide 24" deep (front to back), complete with it's own stand. And the filters, heater, etc. Oh, and another turtle too. Now we have 2 - 4" turtles, both females I think. Anyway, we're in the process of setting it up as soon as my husband finds some more muscle to get the thing out of my suv.

I'll post pics when we get it all finished. Glad I got the python cleaning system. Geeze. I don't know, I have a feeling I'M going to be the only one keeping this thing clean!

Wow, that is a big change!

With no substrate on the bottom (other than a few river rocks for foraging) and a good canister filter, along with the Python, cleaning shouldn't be that bad. What kind of filter did you get?

Would really like to see the pics.

Hi,
I thought I posted earlier without the pics but I think my 4yr old closed it...
ANYway, here's a couple of pics.





You can see the tiny tank we used to use.

We bought 2 Fluval 4Plus filters, one for each side and a Jager 150W heater. For now, we have a 'cinder' block resting on a small beta tank submerged for height. Also use a couple of fake coark basking props. The light is a UVA/UVB combo bulb. I think the water is a bit too deep but this is a temporary set up and we will keep working on something more practical and appealing, including wiping the little fingerprints off the glass! But it works for now.

Also, I am totally open to any suggestions, ideas or advice.