Aquarium Stands

[cjm3fl]

While all my stuff is sitting in storage I figure now is a good time to ask questions.

I'm several months from having/being in a place where I'll be able to put them up.

 

I have 3 tanks; a 30g long/breeder (36x13x16), a 45g standard (36x13x24), and a 29g standard (30x12x18).

Each has or came with a stand.

 

The 30g is the first tank I'll be setting up. It's going to be more of a fish-intense tank, fairly heavy with CUC, and with a few of the 'easier' corals so I can learn how best to keep them (the corals), star polyps, encrusting gorgonia, xenia, and glove polyps.

It came with a metal stand very much like this one (taken from online search):

 

The only thing the metal 30g stand needs is a dusting off, maybe a new paint job but it really looked fine when it went into storage, but it needs new rubber "feet" which shouldn't be much of a problem finding.

 

 

My 29g and 45g tanks have stands like this one below (taken from online search):

 

 

 

 

The 'wood' stand for the 29g I've had for about 20 years and besides a few minor dents and dings it still looks great.

The 'wood' stand for the 45g was purchased with the tank 5 years ago and neither has every been used.

 

When these 3 tanks get set up it's with the thought they will be up and running permanently, meaning they won't be moved again.

 

These 'wood' stands are laminated press-board.

Any thoughts about them?

Any suggests to modify them before I put them to use?

 

Chuck

[CJJon]

I would never use two materials for a saltwater stand: Metal and pressboard. Specially true for permanent installs.

[WhiteWulfe]

I would never use two materials for a saltwater stand: Metal and pressboard. Specially true for permanent installs.

 

Out of curiosity, what if it's powdercoated metal?

[CJJon]

 

Out of curiosity, what if it's powdercoated metal?

 

For a permanent saltwater install? Nope. Titanium or grade 316 stainless only. So, basically--no metal stand with salty water.

 

Sure, there are people that have used metal stands with great success. However, for me I would not.

[WhiteWulfe]

 

For a permanent saltwater install? Nope. Titanium or grade 316 stainless only. So, basically--no metal stand with salty water.

 

Sure, there are people that have used metal stands with great success. However, for me I would not.

 

Good to know. Main reason I asked is some of the local stores out here seem to really like them, as well as one a few hours south but none of them mention as to what kind of metal they use other than "steel" (which is about as useful as walking into a sandwich shop and saying you'd like... a sandwich).

 

I've contemplated the idea of a metal stand here in the apartment I live in so that I can still have a reasonable sized sump but keep the display tank a little lower.. Joys of spending most of the time in the living room sitting.

[CJJon]

The problem with metal is that saltwater is very hard on it. I live near the ocean and it corrodes just about everything except some stainlesss and titanium. I have seen galvanized trailers rot from the inside. They look fine from the outside, but you can pop your thumb through the frame rails. Powder coated is the same. I've seen powder coat peel off of steel in marine environs. You will have spills and you may have an incepit drip or seepage that you don't see. Salt creep.

 

Metal stands for freshwater only.

 

Setting up a tank at a LFS is very different than at your house.

[cromag27]

I build wood stands and I only use 3/4" hardwood like red oak. even on small biocube stands.

[braaap]

Powder coated steel would be perfectly fine and would outlast the tank. The large about of corrosion CJJon is talking about would never happen on a tank of your size. Hell raw steel would work just as well.

[ajmckay]

I totally understand the caution, but logically it doesn't seem that properly coated metal would fail as a saltwater aquarium stand, even long term barring excessive slop or carelessness.

 

Obviously I think that appropriate measures should be taken to not let spills or drips sit on the stand - but I already do that with my wood stands and floor etc... An example is the ballast in my T5 light a few inches above the aquarium. It's about 4-5 years old and not a speck of rust on/in it. I mean the fixture itself is pretty covered in salt spray so I would imagine if it was going to rust it would have already (the unit isn't sealed - it's an orbit nova).

[CJJon]

Powder coated steel would be perfectly fine and would outlast the tank. The large about of corrosion CJJon is talking about would never happen on a tank of your size. Hell raw steel would work just as well.

 

Raw steel? LOL! Your fingerprints will rust raw steel!

[CJJon]

I totally understand the caution, but logically it doesn't seem that properly coated metal would fail as a saltwater aquarium stand, even long term barring excessive slop or carelessness.

 

Obviously I think that appropriate measures should be taken to not let spills or drips sit on the stand - but I already do that with my wood stands and floor etc... An example is the ballast in my T5 light a few inches above the aquarium. It's about 4-5 years old and not a speck of rust on/in it. I mean the fixture itself is pretty covered in salt spray so I would imagine if it was going to rust it would have already (the unit isn't sealed - it's an orbit nova).

 

I did say, for me, I would not use a metal stand. I have more experience with metal corrosion than most, and it is just something I try to avoid. The OP was more concerned about the particle board stand--I think we can all agree those suck. Especially for a permanent install.

 

Yeah, I am sure that salt creep is just fine on your ballast!

[cjm3fl]

As CJJon mentioned my biggest concern is the particle-board ones.

By "permanent" I'm meaning that once up and running I have no thoughts about taking them down.

I'm kinda going into a "retirement" thingie and within the next 6 months I will be living in a place that should be my last place.

This is where I will be setting up my tanks.

 

The metal stand is one I've had for 20 years. I got it from a guy who owned it for another 10+. I can't remember if he ever told me where he got it from--new or used.

It's like 1/4" L-shaped angle steel all around, including the lower level cross supports.

 

I was at my storage unit and looked it over. Only dust on it. No rust and no paint chipped off.

I'm planning to use it for my 30g tank but my 45g has the same foot-print.

 

 

I've noticed a number of "smaller tanks" (under 50g) are placed on an older, wooden piece of furniture.

As I mentioned the 2 particle-board ones were part of the tank purchase...pretty much free-b's with tanks.

I've only used the 29g stand and while it worked it's kinda "cheap" looking and the space under is pretty wasted as I never stored anything in it.

 

 

Another question I have is when you guys place a tank on what-ever stand you use, do you put anything between the tank and the stand surface?

[braaap]

 

Raw steel? LOL! Your fingerprints will rust raw steel!

 

Surface rust. Not structural. That is an entirely different ballgame.

[CJJon]

 

Another question I have is when you guys place a tank on what-ever stand you use, do you put anything between the tank and the stand surface?

 

Depends. If a rimmed tank like a standard glass aquarium, no. They are supported on the edges of the rim. As long as you are making good contact around the bottom rim, you are good. A rimless tank where the pane of glass it the actual bottom, then a yoga mat cut to size underneath.

[cjm3fl]

 

Depends. If a rimmed tank like a standard glass aquarium, no. They are supported on the edges of the rim. As long as you are making good contact around the bottom rim, you are good. A rimless tank where the pane of glass it the actual bottom, then a yoga mat cut to size underneath.

 

Thanks.

All the tanks I have are "rimmed" ones.