Aquarium stand questions... stacking tanks?

So, since MTS is kicking hard, I have been looking for ideas for another tank (Christmas yay!). Then I saw the bottom of my current 20 gallon stand. Fits a 20 high perfectly! BUT.... If I put one there the area above it would be crowded, no space for maintenance. So I found a standard 15 gallon tank, 24x12.5x12.75. Fits the bottom of my stand good. (stand HERE)

Is this a good idea, and has anyone tried this? a 20 gallon (long) on top and a 15 gallon on the bottom rack?

 

So, since MTS is kicking hard, I have been looking for ideas for another tank (Christmas yay!). Then I saw the bottom of my current 20 gallon stand. Fits a 20 high perfectly! BUT.... If I put one there the area above it would be crowded, no space for maintenance. So I found a standard 15 gallon tank, 24x12.5x12.75. Fits the bottom of my stand good. (stand HERE)

Is this a good idea, and has anyone tried this? a 20 gallon (long) on top and a 15 gallon on the bottom rack?

This is not a bad idea! My concern would be those bottom bars being able to hold the weight of the 15g. It isn't made for a tank there so it might not hold it...Or does the 15 gallon fit between the horizontal bars? Did I word that well lol?

 

I think they would, the bottom is generally more stable than the top. There are videos of people putting a 20 gallon high there. The 15 gallon fits on the bars, the depth of the 15 gallon is 12.5 inch and the bars are 12.5 inch from outside sides.

 

Looking at that picture, it would only be resting on two parallel bars and not have any cross bars underneath.. would that not stress the glass in the area in between the bars?

 

Looking at that picture, it would only be resting on two parallel bars and not have any cross bars underneath.. would that not stress the glass in the area in between the bars?

Maybe they could use a wooden board underneath to add support and spread the weight more recently. I have shelving from Home Depot for my tanks and use wooden boards under the tanks for more support.

 

Looking at that picture, it would only be resting on two parallel bars and not have any cross bars underneath.. would that not stress the glass in the area in between the bars?

In a rimmed tank all weight goes to the corners. Actually when you rest the 20 gallon tank on the top, the crossbars don't even touch the tank, they are there for support so the thing doesn't sway as much.

 

I have the same stand type for one of my tanks. Those bottom bars are only held on with some screws. You'll be putting those screws up against shear stress, a weaker applicationfor screws. Try to research what the screws reported max shear stress is. It is possible they can handle it, but I wouldn't just blindly trust it.

Also make sure you have a method for cleaning the tank that doesn't rely on gravity/difference in height. A tank that low to the ground will be hard to get suction going on a syphon and bucket type deal.

 

In a rimmed tank all weight goes to the corners. Actually when you rest the 20 gallon tank on the top, the crossbars don't even touch the tank, they are there for support so the thing doesn't sway as much.

Ah, but I meant that (or is the just the way the picture looks?) on the outer rim, there are no crossbars either. As in, there are only bars along the length like this: = that would carry the tank weight, and no support in the || direction of the width... not sure how to put this right.

 

PascalKrypt I see what you mean. I think coralbandit has a rack with tanks that the tanks are positioned so you look through a "side" panel, and the tanks are rested upon 2 wooden bars if I am not mistaken? So their "side" rims are the only one supported, like this = <--bars l l < tank positioned like so

Ok, so some research has led to me that the screws are allen screws, which are hex screws right? If so then this is what I got off google.
"For example, an SAE grade 5 hex cap screw has a specified minimum tensile strength of 120,000 psi. Therefore, for design purposes, its shear strength could be reasonably assumed to be 70,000 psi.”

 

You're all good and God Bless MTS and Christmas [sign up for giveaway??] ..
From the link on the stand provided in the questions and answers ;


Question:
I have this stand for my 29 gallon, and I want to add a second tank to the bottom, a 20gal tall. will this stand hold its weight?

Answer:

This stand's built like a Sherman Tank - Yeah, it will handle the weight no Problem- might need some wooden slots on the bottom shelf in order to to sit properly though -- P.S. Good luck with your new tank Paul
By Mindy on January 30, 2017
See more answers (1)

I have the old school welded under over stands [they called them hippers] and you could place 2 quarters [ 25 cents] under the tank in the middle..The angle iron definitely bowed ..The bottom of glass tanks do not bow at all..
Lets think about this bold unfounded statement ..glass itself is very strong ,but what most never add in [yes in addition to original strength ] is that glass is silicone to this bottom sheet on all 4 sides and the strength that glass in that orientation provides in beyond reproach when applied with silicone ..A ton with getting technical ??? If you ever looked at Euro bracing a tank with a broken top band think about the bottom of your tank like the most serious Euro brace you could ever have ? I have a 6 foot 180g that has 2x4s on the end and nothing in the middle ..Only 10 years or so , so still in the testing phase ? But I don't think it sags ??
I have 5 gallon and 10 gallon and have had 20 g tanks all supported only on short end with nothing even under the long sides ...
I trust what I have seen for myself but maybe this will help others ..
I love this video !

 

Could you get a picture of wooden slots? Not sure what those are...

 

Could you get a picture of wooden slots? Not sure what those are...

None of that was me ..It was an answer on the site for the stand ..
I can only imagine by wood slots they mean a piece of 2x4 or something close ..
The tank you want fits in the space right ?
The most or best I would do to add strength is place supports under the bottom rails of stand after the tank is on them ..
Nobody wants screws to bare all weight but in some designs that is how it works ..
I don't think it really does much but if you are concerned you could cut plywood to fit in the stand before the tank ? Ply wood in this orientation is equal to thick paper though IMO ..

 

Yup, it fits 24x12.5x12.75.

I could probably get wood thingys and put it under the bars.

 

FinalFins, I just wanted to thank you because I thought I was the only one who knew about thingys. However, I dispute the spelling.... thingies or thingys? I spell it both ways and use them all the time. Sorry. Not related to the post!