Aquarium stand bowing… - Page 2

sde1500 · 01/16/2018, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoltzNSalt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Pictures.......

Michael_ · 01/16/2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Look at it this way. You're going to sleep a lot better if you bite the bullet now and get it fixed. Yes, it's work, but that's a lot of water, and salt water at that, which can ruin furniture and floor. It's not true that you only need support it at the corners. Over time, with warm water and stress, you could have a big mess, maybe half a year on, after you have a lot more work invested in it, to boot. Fix it now. Best fix I know is go down to Lowes or HD and get a short section of kitchen counter by the yard...take that counter section and put it atop the stand you've built, securing it middle as well as corners, be sure it's level, then put the tank back. You don't have to toss your water: get a couple of Brute Rubbermaid trash cans, the grey ones, and you can pump it out to that, then pump it back in after the fix. The kitchen countertop is salt-proof, warp proof, and easy to clean. Comes in black. And if the stand holds up under it, that surface will last.

Thank you, your answer was very helpful.

organism · 01/16/2018, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_

Thank you, your answer was very helpful.

No one can help you if you don't post photos.

Sk8r's answer relies on the assumption that you properly reinforced your furniture and that the furniture contains zero particleboard. Structural engineering is a complex thing and it is very likely that your 2x4's are doing nothing. If it's bowing it is a guarantee that your 2x4's are doing nothing. Putting a heavy counter on top is asking for even more trouble than you have now.

You asked for help and need to post photos. Cherry picking the only "easy" solution given to you while ignoring all of the replies telling you to post photos and take it apart before disaster ensues is a very bad idea.

Post photos.

Michael_ · 01/16/2018, 01:59 PM

Michael_ · 01/16/2018, 02:02 PM

Link didn't work hold on…

Michael_ · 01/16/2018, 02:03 PM

https://photos.app.goo.gl/r5p6rBJP28iUrK772

Compressorman · 01/16/2018, 02:19 PM

It looks like the 2x4s that run across the stand are laid on their side. They are far, far stronger when set the other way (with their narrow edge facing up/down).
Chris

organism · 01/16/2018, 02:19 PM

The photos definitely help!

It isn't structurally sound which is why it's bowing. The cabinet itself is doing a lot of the load bearing on the sides and the center is unsupported. In short order it's going to go from this |---| to this /\/\ as the walls cave into the center, especially as the wood absorbs moisture from the sump. The bowing you're seeing is from the sides doing this /---\, and any minute now it's going to blow.

If it were me I would take it apart asap. There's no rock and it will be easy to get a better stand and set everything up again.

organism · 01/16/2018, 02:30 PM

Here's a good example of a nice 2x4 stand, notice how the 2x4's on bottom support the 2x4's laid across them instead of being screwed to the sides. This helps put all of the weight of the tank onto the 2x4's. You could make one of these in a weekend and have a great stand

http://aquanerd.com/2010/04/diy-aquarium-stand.html

aznflyfisherman · 01/16/2018, 04:18 PM

Im surprise it is still standing...

Scrubber_steve · 01/16/2018, 04:24 PM

I think you should look at it this way michael; your kitchen cabinet was designed to store knives n forks & pots n pans. It was not designed to be a support base for 630 pounds of salt water.

mcgyvr · 01/16/2018, 04:40 PM

1 simple vertical support (2x4) in the center front and back and it will totally be fine.. But you need to jack it up to get it in there or gently hammer it in slightly angled to perpendicular

organism · 01/16/2018, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

1 simple vertical support (2x4) in the center front and back and it will totally be fine.. But you need to jack it up to get it in there or gently hammer it in slightly angled to perpendicular

The sides aren't structurally sound, imo adding a center support isn't going to help since all of the weight is supported by 2 metal screws instead of being structurally supported by 2x4's.

Adding more metal screws or a center support won't help since there is no vertical support on the sides, those 2x4's are doing nothing. One of the sides will inevitably fail sooner rather than later and the whole thing will tip over or more likely it will break the tank in half as the sides sag.

If it were me I would drain it asap, I'm surprised it hasn't toppled over already like /---/ or that the center hasn't blown out.

sde1500 · 01/16/2018, 05:32 PM

Can't say I'd trust that to hold the tank.

Daddi0 · 01/16/2018, 05:38 PM

Drain it now or have a disaster later

HBtank · 01/16/2018, 06:16 PM

You have quite a bit riding on 4 bolts, and even then it appears the load is still significantly on the original furniture. I would only do that if I was positive the 2x4s were taking 100% of the load. Ask yourself this, are you confident enough to remove the original legs/sides?

Doing more with that is just throwing good after bad IMO.

wrott · 01/16/2018, 06:21 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964

I used 2x6s for the top frame and added 1" plywood covering the top to level it(some say unnecessary)--cut-out sections for bulkheads and drains w/ a drill + jigsaw. Also screw plywood onto sides for torsional strength.
You can always trim it at later date.

Jonviviano · 01/17/2018, 09:57 AM

throw that stand at the curb and either purchase, or build an adequate as other have suggested. If you are not ready to do this your not ready for the hobby!

kevin21 · 01/17/2018, 10:10 AM

Relax a bit ^^

He has received plenty of advice to drain and fix. No need to say he isnt ready for the hobby. My 2 cents, drain and fix the stand situation, or try what mcgyvr said.

Daddi0 · 01/17/2018, 09:46 PM

I think he made a valiant effort to re-use an existing stand

ReefkeeperZ · 01/18/2018, 05:19 AM

Geez guys, he tried something it didn't work. if I quit every time I made a mistake in this hobby I would have given up 20 years ago.

Definitely research stand builds and replace that stand, I can tell you from experience 75g of sand rock an water ll over the floor is no fun, fortunately you'll probably be able to reuse 90% of the wood you have already cut you can even re-use the doors etc on a frame you build if you want, but you want all carrying weight straight down on top of each other not trying to transfer weight sideways. definitely use tech style screws and a construction adhesive at all connections/joints.

Joe0813 · 01/19/2018, 06:52 PM

While you have no rock in there id just take the tank down and just buy a real stand and not a piece of kitchen furniture meant to hold forks

outy · 01/19/2018, 08:42 PM

Please PASS, that doesn't have the support you need to safely protect the tank you or your family.

How I look at aquariums stands? I imagine placing my car on top of it and lowing a tire down in the middle for a tank that size. Then imagine an earthquake and would you trust sleeping below it?

My current tank weighs as much as a car, and I have already had a talk with my daughter about earthquakes and which way to jump if the tank falls. Just in case.

outy · 01/19/2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefkeeperZ

Geez guys, he tried something it didn't work. .

You can kill someone with a stand like that, its no joke. Sometimes it takes a hammer drive the nail home.

01/16/2018, 01:59 PM	#29
Michael_ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 40	Sorry I was late on the pictures…

01/16/2018, 02:19 PM	#33
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	The photos definitely help! It isn't structurally sound which is why it's bowing. The cabinet itself is doing a lot of the load bearing on the sides and the center is unsupported. In short order it's going to go from this \|---\| to this /\/\ as the walls cave into the center, especially as the wood absorbs moisture from the sump. The bowing you're seeing is from the sides doing this /---\, and any minute now it's going to blow. If it were me I would take it apart asap. There's no rock and it will be easy to get a better stand and set everything up again. __________________ I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros

01/16/2018, 02:30 PM	#34
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	Here's a good example of a nice 2x4 stand, notice how the 2x4's on bottom support the 2x4's laid across them instead of being screwed to the sides. This helps put all of the weight of the tank onto the 2x4's. You could make one of these in a weekend and have a great stand http://aquanerd.com/2010/04/diy-aquarium-stand.html __________________ I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros

01/16/2018, 04:40 PM	#37
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	1 simple vertical support (2x4) in the center front and back and it will totally be fine.. But you need to jack it up to get it in there or gently hammer it in slightly angled to perpendicular __________________ Who me?

01/16/2018, 05:32 PM	#39
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Can't say I'd trust that to hold the tank. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/16/2018, 02:02 PM	#30
Michael_ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 40	Link didn't work hold on…

01/16/2018, 02:03 PM	#31
Michael_ Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 40	https://photos.app.goo.gl/r5p6rBJP28iUrK772

01/16/2018, 02:19 PM	#32
Compressorman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 9	It looks like the 2x4s that run across the stand are laid on their side. They are far, far stronger when set the other way (with their narrow edge facing up/down). Chris

01/16/2018, 04:18 PM	#35
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	Im surprise it is still standing...

01/16/2018, 04:24 PM	#36
Scrubber_steve I'm really very likeable Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Down Under Posts: 676	I think you should look at it this way michael; your kitchen cabinet was designed to store knives n forks & pots n pans. It was not designed to be a support base for 630 pounds of salt water.

01/16/2018, 05:38 PM	#40
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Drain it now or have a disaster later __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

01/16/2018, 06:16 PM	#41
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	You have quite a bit riding on 4 bolts, and even then it appears the load is still significantly on the original furniture. I would only do that if I was positive the 2x4s were taking 100% of the load. Ask yourself this, are you confident enough to remove the original legs/sides? Doing more with that is just throwing good after bad IMO. __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

01/16/2018, 06:21 PM	#42
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964 I used 2x6s for the top frame and added 1" plywood covering the top to level it(some say unnecessary)--cut-out sections for bulkheads and drains w/ a drill + jigsaw. Also screw plywood onto sides for torsional strength. You can always trim it at later date. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/17/2018, 09:57 AM	#43
Jonviviano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 417	throw that stand at the curb and either purchase, or build an adequate as other have suggested. If you are not ready to do this your not ready for the hobby!

01/17/2018, 10:10 AM	#44
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Relax a bit ^^ He has received plenty of advice to drain and fix. No need to say he isnt ready for the hobby. My 2 cents, drain and fix the stand situation, or try what mcgyvr said. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

01/17/2018, 09:46 PM	#45
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	I think he made a valiant effort to re-use an existing stand __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

01/18/2018, 05:19 AM	#46
ReefkeeperZ Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 392	Geez guys, he tried something it didn't work. if I quit every time I made a mistake in this hobby I would have given up 20 years ago. Definitely research stand builds and replace that stand, I can tell you from experience 75g of sand rock an water ll over the floor is no fun, fortunately you'll probably be able to reuse 90% of the wood you have already cut you can even re-use the doors etc on a frame you build if you want, but you want all carrying weight straight down on top of each other not trying to transfer weight sideways. definitely use tech style screws and a construction adhesive at all connections/joints. __________________ insert witty catchphrase here

01/19/2018, 06:52 PM	#47
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	While you have no rock in there id just take the tank down and just buy a real stand and not a piece of kitchen furniture meant to hold forks __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

01/19/2018, 08:42 PM	#48
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	Please PASS, that doesn't have the support you need to safely protect the tank you or your family. How I look at aquariums stands? I imagine placing my car on top of it and lowing a tire down in the middle for a tank that size. Then imagine an earthquake and would you trust sleeping below it? My current tank weighs as much as a car, and I have already had a talk with my daughter about earthquakes and which way to jump if the tank falls. Just in case.