Built-in bookcase for 20 gallon?

Hi, everyone,

My daughter's 10-gallon is chilling on our built-in, solid wood bookshelf. It's a great fit (sorry for the clutter at the moment). But my husband has agreed to upgrade to a 20-gallon tank (he agreed within days of having the fish post-cycle, grrr). Originally I was going to wait for Christmas, but I'm itching for more fish and we have very active platies who would love more room to zoom. A 20 gallon (long or tall) would fit, but I'm concerned about weight. This is all solid wood (minus some pressed wood shelves in the lower cabinet). We've stood on it numerous times for painting and installing lights, but I weigh much closer to the 10-gal than the 20.

Would this hold a 20 just fine, or should I add support underneath the main shelf? Or just find a spot for a proper stand? I've seen posts of just doing planks on cinder blocks for a 20, and I feel like this shelf is just a fancier version of that. I've remove more books from the side the 20 would go (once moved, the 10 will be a QT tank and relocated to the basement).

Thanks!

 

If you have a vertical divider in the bottom part as support it should not be a problem. Looks pretty sturdy and a better support than some official tank stands. If there is a divider you could beef it up to increase the support. The weight is also evenly distributed.

 

The vertical supports would be on the outer edges of the frame (between the doors, along the wall, etc.). Is that enough, or do I want more?

It would be straightforward enough to add a vertical support in the cabinet underneath if I need something in the middle. We have the wood and tools (currently re-doing our enclosed patio because - surprise! - the previous owners didn't anchor the support posts and we didn't want to wait for the structure to rip off from the house).

 

The vertical supports would be on the outer edges of the frame (between the doors, along the wall, etc.). Is that enough, or do I want more?

It would be straightforward enough to add a vertical support in the cabinet underneath if I need something in the middle. We have the wood and tools (currently re-doing our enclosed patio because - surprise! - the previous owners didn't anchor the support posts and we didn't want to wait for the structure to rip off from the house).

Just to be on the safe side I was referring to a vertical support in the center, where the doors meet. Better safe than sorry. You dont want 20 gallons of water sloshing behind that cabinet

 

I’d be a bit concerned about the book on the shelves above because it looks like the shelves are bending downwards. 20 gallons is basically 166 pounds + 2-3 pounds of gravel and decor.

 

I’d be a bit concerned about the book on the shelves above because it looks like the shelves are bending downwards. 20 gallons is basically 166 pounds + 2-3 pounds of gravel and decor.

Hmm, I'm looking at the shelves dead on, with the level placed, and don't see a bend. I think the curve of the grain and angle of my phone makes it look like that. But I think we'll go ahead and add support through the under cabinet to be safe. The kicker is that the cabinet is also shelved and it's permanent, not a pop out.

 

Hmm, I'm looking at the shelves dead on, with the level placed, and don't see a bend. I think the curve of the grain and angle of my phone makes it look like that. But I think we'll go ahead and add support through the under cabinet to be safe. The kicker is that the cabinet is also shelved and it's permanent, not a pop out.

It is your husband's fault to change his mind, he can figure out the support

 

It is your husband's fault to change his mind, he can figure out the support

Amen! He will regardless. I've built stuff, but he gets into this still. Slow as molasses most of the time but does a nice job. Patio comes first, fish will wait. Sigh. I'll just resist the urge to further stock the 10.

 

Amen! He will regardless. I've built stuff, but he gets into this still. Slow as molasses most of the time but does a nice job. Patio comes first, fish will wait. Sigh. I'll just resist the urge to further stock the 10.

I know how you feel, there is real time and there is <put husband name here> time.

 

I know how you feel, there is real time and there is <put husband name here> time.

Oh man. Husband time is more twisted than 2020. We have still boxed hardwood all over the house that we bought when I was pregnant with the now 5yo. Also, we have a paver monument in our driveway from the same year. I stripped the kitchen wallpaper in March, still waiting on him to do the patches. That's just a peek. But sometimes he gets a bee in his butt and nails a project in decent time. Patio is really coming along because his dad is working on it this week while we're working from home. I painted the kitchen cabinets last year, big project, but that was a couple weeks (evenings after work and kids asleep). Once I start, I plow through it.

 

I'd do it myself, but I really don't like using the saw. Ever since I punched through my finger with the sewing machine, I'm nervous with the saw (but not the sewing machine. Yes, I know this doesn't make sense).

 

Oh man. Husband time is more twisted than 2020. We have still boxed hardwood all over the house that we bought when I was pregnant with the now 5yo. Also, we have a paver monument in our driveway from the same year. I stripped the kitchen wallpaper in March, still waiting on him to do the patches. That's just a peek. But sometimes he gets a bee in his butt and nails a project in decent time. Patio is really coming along because his dad is working on it this week while we're working from home. I painted the kitchen cabinets last year, big project, but that was a couple weeks (evenings after work and kids asleep). Once I start, I plow through it.

I can 100% relate, and I thought I was the only one