Habitat - Indoor :: My Improvised Tank Stand + basking area

[harleysmom]

Hey everyone!

2 questions today:

1. I found some cinder blocks/chipped patio stones & plywood at my work and took some home to make an improvised tank stand. My fiance helped me set it up today. It looks sturdy but I am sorta worried about it breaking because I know tanks are HEAVY when filled. Can u tell me if u think it'll hold the weight? [It's holding for now, but don't want it to come tumbling down in a few days]. I just worry too much. Just wondering if I perhaps built it wrong somehow, or something...my boyfriend kept telling me "you need to focus on supporting the corners or it'll get a stress fracture!" so I hope I did it right.


2. My water is too hot. I'm trying to cool it down by gradually adding ice water to the tank, but I have a feeling my lights are heating up the water too much. It's a regular 60 watt household bulb and a ReptiGlo 10.0 UVB bulb, about a foot from the turtle ramp basking area. But the tank is only a 60 gallon so it might be heating up the water, I dunno. Do u think the lights are set up properly/far enough away??

thanks.


PHOTOS OF TANK STAND

a MASSIVE cinder block, it must weigh about 60 pounds and takes 2 people to lift it and even then its an effort. that is supporting the right side of the tank. I wedged a few books in there because there was a gap between the tank and the wood for some reason...


front view...yes, I wedged some big books underneath the middle of the tank to help support the middle.






PICTURES OF THE BASKING AREA

uvb bulb is on the right in the pics...I love the turtle ramp I have!




do you think the lights are a good distance from the platform? Also, should the UVB bulb be moved over, closer to the other lamp or does it matter?

thanks.

[theartbook35]

Hey, whatever works, ya know?

Pretty tank, too.

Well, moving the lamps closer depends on the temperature. If the temp is up to 90 degrees, then it doesn't need to be closer. If you UVB is 13 or 26 watts, it can be up to 12 inches away from the basking spot.

[blackforces get you]

try and get a stand because the tank needs to be supported evenly.

too much pressure on one side can crack the tank and...splash of water

[harleysmom]

but stands are so expensive. I don't have the money for that. but I'll try to find something better when I get a chance. thanks. any ideas on how to make a better one, on a strict budget?

thanks, I think its a 13 watt, not sure, I forget. I havent setup the thermometer in the basking area yet, but I will check the temperature. thanks.

[BullDog]

I'm concerned of the books supporting it in the middle, and under the corners. Like Blackforces said, if the tank isn't evenly supported, it could crack.

You can purchase cinder blocks for fairly cheap, about $8 each at hardware stores. That way you'd have an even surface.

Here's how I did mine:


I did two layers of blocks, but you could do one, and depending on the size of your tank you may not need as many to support it (I used 5 blocks per layer).

I put a single piece of plywood top and bottom, so the weight is evenly distributed.

You could check out on freecycle.org, and someone may even be giving away cinder blocks or plywood.

I ended up building this stand for both my tanks:
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/75g_stand/index.shtml
It's got step by step instructions, and could possibly end up being cheaper than if you had to buy a whole bunch of cinder blocks.

[harleysmom]

thanks eh. yeah I just don't have the $$ to buy a bunch of cinder blocks, so I tried to use the ones I found free at work but you're right, it's not good enough. I will try to find some free or buy a few. thanks

[BullDog]

Yeah, you don't want skimp on the stand, since it could end up costing you way more if your tank cracks!

I forgot to mention, your lights looks like they should be fine where they are. I'm not sure which is which, but you'll want to make sure they're aiming at roughly the same spot, so your turt can get both the heat and the UVB at the same time.

[Mech Cb]

Next payday, try swinging by some antique/thrift stores. I'm using a metal frame table with a marble top to support my tank. You probably won't find that at a thrift shop(not cheap anyways), but you could find something similar for 20 bucks or under.

[theartbook35]

The stand I bought, was 35 dollars. All it is, is a metal frame, no fancy wood finishing or anything like that. Not very pretty, but it does it's job. See if the nearest store has something similar.

[Azfar]

I like the Bulldog idea..

How thick is the plywood to support the tank?? 8mm enough??

[BullDog]

I think the stuff I used was about 3/4" or ~19mm. I think 8mm would be pretty flimsy! Although, with enough support below (from the cinder blocks) I suppose 8mm would be OK. As long as the tank isn't bending the plywood in any place.

You can barely see it, but I also put a layer of cardboard under my tank, just so the tank can settle a bit if it needs to. Under Ralph's tank I've got a layer of plastic foamboard.

[Azfar]

Currently I have 90 gallon tank which I put on the floor with 2 layers of styrofoam.

So I was thinking to make the stand with cinder blocks likes some of these members and also you use it ..

Do you think the 8mm of plywood can support the 90 gallon tank?? and layers by double styrofoam??

[BullDog]

It's hard to say. Thicker would be better. Do you have the 8mm plywood and that's why you want to use it? If you could do two layers of the 8mm, it would be good and strong I think.

[Azfar]

Oh Great. Thanks Bulldog~! I will ask my brother if he can find me another piece of plywood or maybe just buy new piece thicker like yours.

Thanks again~! anyway I love your tank setup and the water are super clean and clear!

[marisa]

Harleysmom, that tank is not lying evenly on those books, etc. and really is dangerous.

What Bulldog has done is good, I know people who have used 2 X 4's to create a support under the tank as well. I don't know what kind of cinderblocks you want, but I've gotten some at both Home Depot and Lowes for around $1.60 each.