ReviloM Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I accidentally left my return nozzle up a little bit too high after turning my return pumps back on from cleaning the tank earlier. About half a cup of the water spilled over. Some of it was soak into the inside of the rubber mat under the tank. Fast forward to now, I looked at the tank and noticed that it had warped in the location where I was being lazy to waterproof. So how long would you say it could hold? I will have to get another stand built but it will take some time. The tank is about 45g in the display and about 40lbs of rock and corals. I checked and the tank is still leveled. Also, the image below makes it look like the warp is half way through but its only like 4.5inches. Left Side Right Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Can you take a picture inside the stand to get an idea how its connected Link to comment
ReviloM Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Can you take a picture inside the stand to get an idea how its connected No visible warps in the inside of the stand. Also, the warps, on the outside are hard. Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Got ya, so its twist locks. The partical board swelled up, I expect your fine for now. run a bead of epoxy or silicone on the seam to keep any more water intrusion out, but I highly doubt the stands lost its integrity. Next time you get up this way come by the house and we can BS about stand designs. Link to comment
CJJon Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm not sure that was really doing anyting structurally to begin with. Can you push that section in or is it very tight? Does the tank seem unstable? It is really hard to tell from the pics. Perhaps you could shore it up in the inside with a pice of ply screwed in and draw the section together? I would be nervous. Cinder block stand is easy to assemble and cheal. I would be thinking about a new stand or moving to a temp cinder block set up ASAP. Although, some cinder block set ups look very nice and they are very robust stands. Think of it as a good time to do a deep cleaning and to change around your scape to the way you always wanted it to be. Got ya, so its twist locks. The partical board swelled up, I expect your fine for now. run a bead of epoxy or silicone on the seam to keep any more water intrusion out, but I highly doubt the stands lost its integrity. Next time you get up this way come by the house and we can BS about stand designs. I've always built my own stands, so I have no direct experience with these types of fasteners other than using them for desks and such. You really think it will be OK? You are probably right. I can't see that short section really doing much, it is the fasteners that hold it together. As long as they are tight it is OK, right? Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm not sure that was really doing anyting structurally to begin with. Can you push that section in or is it very tight? Does the tank seem unstable? It is really hard to tell from the pics. Perhaps you could shore it up in the inside with a pice of ply screwed in and draw the section together? I would be nervous. Cinder block stand is easy to assemble and cheal. I would be thinking about a new stand or moving to a temp cinder block set up ASAP. Although, some cinder block set ups look very nice and they are very robust stands. Think of it as a good time to do a deep cleaning and to change around your scape to the way you always wanted it to be. I've always built my own stands, so I have no direct experience with these types of fasteners other than using them for desks and such. You really think it will be OK? You are probably right. I can't see that short section really doing much, it is the fasteners that hold it together. As long as they are tight it is OK, right? it appears to be the side of the stand that is swollen, so it is weight baring, but the weight is all going down, so even if that area has reduced strength it isnt going to break IMO. The more I look it looks like it MIGHT be plywood, in which case its not going to cause a problem at all. Link to comment
ReviloM Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 it appears to be the side of the stand that is swollen, so it is weight baring, but the weight is all going down, so even if that area has reduced strength it isnt going to break IMO. The more I look it looks like it MIGHT be plywood, in which case its not going to cause a problem at all. It's MDF. http://www.scaquariums.com/cabinets-canopies/24x24x31-mdf-cabinet.html. I wish it was solid wood. It came with the tank. Also, I got the Lemonpeel Angel today and that ####er nipped at my micromussa. I swatted at it with my "beat 'em" rod and it hasn't since went towards them. Link to comment
NorthGaHillbilly Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 It's MDF. http://www.scaquariums.com/cabinets-canopies/24x24x31-mdf-cabinet.html. I wish it was solid wood. It came with the tank. Got ya. Your good, better than partical board as far as strength goes. Something similar out of maple ply wouldnt be tough to make happen, but it isnt going to collapse anytime soon. Link to comment
bdare Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I would ditch that sucker ASAP. If it warps under the tank it will put stress on that spot and could make the tank spring a leak... Link to comment
D Z Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 While NorthGAHillbilly is correct that it probably wont just break and all collapse any time soon, Im afraid bdare might be on to something here. It would make me nervous to leave it the way it is for any extended periods as it may create stress points on the tank itself if the warping has caused any irregularities in the top of the stand. I would say you are probably fine short term, but I wouldn't let it go past a couple months without looking at replacing that stand. Link to comment
afyounie Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I agree with these guys as well. MDF is great when it never gets wet. But once it gets wet, it begins to separate and becomes weak. If its weak around one of those twist locks, most likely the twist lock will rip out of the MDF over time. I've had this happen just because I was a bit too rough when installing the twist locks. I'd look into replacing the stand in the next couple months. Link to comment
jaynkeel Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 In the mean time might want to pick up some wood shims from the hardware store and shim the spot where it's not touching the tank bottom. That will at least restore height and take any stress off the bottom. Link to comment
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