10 Gallon Tank On Counter?

This is the kind of kitchen counter top I have. This section of the counter doesn’t get much use at all so I currently have a 5 gallon tank on it. It seems stable enough but I’m wondering if I upgrade to a 10 gallon for Benny would it still be safe? I believe a 10 gallon tank filled with water and everything would probably be over 100 pounds so I want to be sure. The only other option I would have for the tank is a rectangular dining room table that seats 4. But the table was $80 from Walmart so I am not sure which piece of furniture I would trust more :-/ .
Can someone please give me some piece of mind with this? I really want to upgrade Benny’s tank to a bigger one he deserves it.

 

I usually use the people test. If you can sit on it and it doesn't move its good.

 

A ten gallon should weight about 80-130 pounds, so yeah like david said, if you can sit on it and it holds you, then it should take a ten gal just fine.

 

I have some ten gallons on rickety plastic clothes bins, you’re fine.

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore.
In theory, a 10G would appear fine on that bench top, however, it's an engineering question.
What's it made of, is it solid wood? MDF? Marble? Caeserstone? laminate?

How will it handle water spillage and absorbance and decay?

Fishlore can't be responsible for a yes/no answer.

What are the engineering standards in your area?

If it were me, I would place the tank over the most solid point, that is, not on the edge that could shear and break, but on the joist of the cabinet. Again, not a guarentee!

Legals aside: a 10G fish tank on a bench top shouldn't be a problem, a lot of people have a 10G in their kitchen without a problem, but legally, Fishlore can't guarentee the success of such a setup.

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore.
In theory, a 10G would appear fine on that bench top, however, it's an engineering question.
What's it made of, is it solid wood? MDF? Marble? Caeserstone? laminate?

How will it handle water spillage and absorbance and decay?

Fishlore can't be responsible for a yes/no answer.

What are the engineering standards in your area?

If it were me, I would place the tank over the most solid point, that is, not on the edge that could shear and break, but on the joist of the cabinet. Again, not a guarentee!

Legals aside: a 10G fish tank on a bench top shouldn't be a problem, a lot of people have a 10G in their kitchen without a problem, but legally, Fishlore can't guarentee the success of such a setup.

It is made out of wood and does seem solid enough. The 5 gallon has been completely fine on it I just wasn’t sure if 10 gallons would be too much. I can always scoot it in a bit too so it’s not on the dilating part but more towards the middle

 

If that is wood, the troubling thing is that the cantilever (overhand) is in the week direction of the wood (not to mention along the glue joints). It would be much stronger if the wood was running the other way.

Also, if the wood strips are not glued together with waterproof glue, water getting spilled on the wood counter top could weaken the glue joints between the strips.

So I'm not saying it will not hold the weight, I'm just saying I'd be a little worried about it if it were me.

 

I would be surprised if a kitchen counter couldn't hold the tank.... Yours looks thick and the base looks like it has a pretty standard design.

I had my 20 gallon tank on my kitchen counter for a while before moving it to a fish stand then moved it to my kitchen table (I move apartments every year). Once I upgraded to a 75 gallon tank, I started using a dedicated stand.

My 14 gallon and 8 gallon tanks are both on the same kitchen style counter outside of my bedroom. They're fine.

 

^I didn't use a stand until I got into a 55, and then I made my own stand for my 75 gallon. At one time, I had a 10,20, 29, and 40 gallon tank on 4 different wooden bureaus without a problem.

 

That's formica countertop right? I wouldnt worry at all about a 10g.

 

^I didn't use a stand until I got into a 55, and then I made my own stand for my 75 gallon. At one time, I had a 10,20, 29, and 40 gallon tank on 4 different wooden bureaus without a problem.

Building stands is the way to go. Most of the stands at big box pet stores are super low quality. If you buy a nice one, be prepared to drog $1K...

I haven't built my own yet since my 75G came with an okay stand during a Petsmart sale. But once I buy a house and have a permanent residence, I plan to upgrade my 75G tank to a rimless tank and make a nice stand that I customized to my preferences.